Important Silversmiths – Edward Barnard
19th Century exceptional Victorian silver figural wine ewer on stand, extremely large and decorative, the body profusely chased and embossed on either side with a scenes of Galatea and attendants, an inverted fluted column neck, domed hinged cover adorned with a conch-blowing Triton, the shaped stand with two similar Triton's and bold scroll borders. The story of Galatea and the king Pygmalion, who is made into a sculptor and fell in love with an ivory statue (Galatea) he had crafted with his own hands. In answer to his prayers, the goddess Venus, (Aphrodite) brought it to life and united the couple in marriage. Hallmarked English Silver (925), London, year 1861 (f), Stand by Maker EB & JB for Edward & John Barnard), Ewer by Maker S.S W.N for Stephen Smith & William Nicholson)
REFERENCE NUMBER: A5232
Not much is known about the early life of Edward Barnard. He started his apprenticeship with Henry Chawner and stayed in the business after his master’s retirement in 1798. In 1808 he entered his first mark with Rebecca Emes, widow of John Emes who had joined Chawner as a partner since 1796.
Barnard and Emes became very successful, acting in London both as retailers and producers of elaborate presentation pieces, fine tableware and dining sets.
20th Century silver pilgrim flask, of traditional flask form, the pull off cover embossed with palm leaves above a bead border and lobed rim, mounted with a large acorn finial, gilt chains leading to foliate mask junctions, slender neck with alternate bands of darts, quatrefoils and scrolls between gilt raised borders, the upper body embossed with palm leaves,
the front embossed with two horses on a textured ground, the reverse with a pony and its mother, each side with a naturalistic weeping willow, base decorated with large acanthus leaf and Lily's, standing on detachable four gilt open work foliate scroll feet.
Hallmarked English Silver (925), London, year 1986 (m), Maker EBss for Edward Barnard & Sons Ltd.
Reference Number: A4492
19th Century Regency Silver five piece tea set, comprising a large Coffee pot, teapot, tea caddy, sugar bowl and a cream jug, each piece particularly large and heavy, melon shaped lobed bodies resting on cast scroll feet, leaf-capped scroll handles, the teapot's hinged lid is surmounted by a cast melon-shaped finial, highly decorative and very naturalistic. The bowl and the jug are richly gilded inside.
Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 1830 (p), tea caddy 1837 (B), Maker's mark EEJWB for Edward, Edward Jr, John & William Barnard.
Reference Number: A1247
After the death of Rebecca in 1825, Barnard involved his three sons in the business, changing the company name to Barnard & Sons.
Among their most prestigious pieces, a special mention goes to the Lily Font, a gilt silver christening font commissioned in 1840 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to celebrate the birth of their first daughter Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa and still part of the Royal Collection.