A historically important inscribed and crested William IV sterling silver three branch candelabra epergne from the Lonsdale Silver Presentation, Robinson, Edkins & Aston, Birmingham, circa 1830-1837

PROPERTY FROM A DESCENDANT OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM LONSDALE

the body in three sections, with a tri-form base inscribed 'Presented to / WILLM. LONSDALE ESQR. / of the Town and District / of Melbourne Port Phillip / By / certain inhabitants thereof / and others interested / in the Welfare of the District / As a testimonial of their / high estimation of his valuable / services as a Public Officer / and of his exemplary character / in the varied relations of private life. / A.D. 1839', the two remaining cartouches bearing the Lonsdale family coat of arms with the motto 'BOLD AS VIRTUE' and the Lonsdale family Stag crest respectively, within acanthus leaf and corn husk borders, the central stem richly cast and chased with overlapping acanthus leaves, rising to three leaf capped scroll arms terminating in sconces, centred by an openwork basket with a leaf tip skirt and a leaf and berry cast border to the upper edge, raised on leaf cast feet united by a pierced apron, date mark rubbed but William IV monarch duty mark legible and dateable to 1830-37
approximately 3,170 gms total weight of silver, 47.5 cm high

Provenance

Captain William Lonsdale (1799-1864), acquired 1842
Edgar Lonsdale Esq. (1839-1885), by descent from the above
Granville Lonsdale Esq. (1884-1922), by descent from the above
Mrs Muriel Ruth Lonsdale-Weir (1916-1987), by descent from the above
Mrs Liona Cecilia Newman, by descent from the above

Exhibited

The Lonsdale Silver Presentation: An Exhibition, The National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Como House, Melbourne, 16-31 July 1988
Victoria On Show, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, 15-18 February 1996
Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo, 18 September 1996-circa December 1998

Literature

Testimonial to Captain Lonsdale', Port Phillip Herald, Melbourne, 28 January 1840, p. 3
'Captain Lonsdale', Port Phillip Herald, Melbourne, 31 January 1840, p. 2
'List of Subscribers to the Testimonial to be Presented to Captain Lonsdale', Port Phillip Herald, Melbourne, 31 January 1840, p. 2
'Captain Lonsdale', Port Phillip Herald, Melbourne, 15 March 1842, p. 4
The Lonsdale Silver Presentation: An Exhibition, The National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Melbourne, 1988, pp. 3, 6 (illustrated)
John M. Wilkins, The Life and Times of Captain William Lonsdale, "Nieuwe Dieper", 1799-1864: The Biographical Diary of Port Phillip's "Accredited Spy", J. Wilkins, Melbourne, 1991, pp. 128, 128A, 128B (illustrated)

CONTACT INFORMATION +

Specialists
	Guy Cairnduff Head Arts & Design Melbourne T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900 E: Guy Cairnduff		Geoffrey Smith Chairman Australian & International Art Melbourne  |  Sydney T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900 T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402 E: Geoffrey Smith
	Ann Roberts Specialist Consultant, Asian Art Arts & Design Melbourne T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900 E: Ann Roberts		Anthony Hurl Specialist Consultant Arts & Design Adelaide T: +61 (0)8 7225 7836 E: Anthony Hur
	Brett Ballard Senior Specialist Australian & International Art Sydney T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402 E: Brett Ballard		Fiona Hayward Senior Specialist Australian & International Art Melbourne T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900 E: Fiona Hayward