Henry William Curry took over the business of Augustus George Piesse in 1867, and Cury continued to run the business as a manufacturing silversmith and retailer in antique silver-plate, which he continued until 1889. Of interest is that Curry was in trouble with the Goldsmiths Hall in 1880 in a matter of counterfeiting hallmarks (John Culme, Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pg 366). See:
http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 91&start=0
Henry William Curry also produced many articles of novelty silver during this time, such as salt and pepper shakers in the shape of teeth, silver salts in the form of birds wearing coronets, silver pepper pots modelled as a frog, silver cream jug in the form of a grotesque face.
Herewith pair figural pepper pots with allegorical representations. Cast in vase form with 3 separate cast figural panels and rams heads on a pedestal base, gilded interior.
Height 7.6 cm, weight combined 138 grams.
Rams head. The Ram has played an important role in the religion and mythology of many different cultures. It first appears as symbol in Ancient Egypt, as god Amon was depicted with a ram's head. In Celtic symbolism, it represents fertility and rebirth. The ram's horns are the symbol of the zodiac sign of Aries and even the Greek name of this sign (krios=ram) indicates the correlation between the zodiac sign and the ram. In Greek Mythology, the Golden Fleece ram, a ram with wings helps Phrixus escape from his father and stepmother and the sacrifice they had planned for him. It's the same ram that is the object of Jason's quest during the Argonautic expedition.
Woman with owl. In Ancient Greek mythology the Owl was a creature sacred to Athena, Goddess of the night who represented wisdom. Athena, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom had a companion Owl on her shoulder, which revealed unseen truths to her. Owl had the ability to light up Athena's blind side, enabling her to speak the whole truth, as opposed to only a half truth. However, many cultures have focused on the dark side of the Owl's symbolism. People have always been suspicious of the Owl because of man's fear of the dark, or night, and those things that might dwell there. In general, the hooting of an Owl is considered a portent of death or bad luck, and it may even prophesize death, as the death of Dido was foretold. It is a
medical fact that most people die at night, and for that reason also the Owl has been seen as the messenger of death.
Man with a shield and rooster in the foreground symbolic for: courage, strength, watchfulness and the power to kill. The ancient Greeks believed the Rooster rose to attention and saluted the sun every morning with a hearty cry, symbolizing victory over night. As such, the Rooster was considered a solar emblem to the Greeks, and was adopted as a sacred sign to the god Apollo as well as Zeus, Persephone and Attis. In Christianity the Rooster is noted for crowing three times after Peter denied Christ. As such, it became a symbol for Christ's passion. Later, the Rooster would signify the repentance of the saint and religious vigilance as well as resurrection. To this day the Rooster seen on a weathervane is steeped in symbolic meanings that deal with watchful vigilance against evil, as weathervanes are commonly seen atop churches.
The Angel of Death, Devil, the Death with scythe and lantern, on the prowl for victims.
Carpe Diem & Memento Mori
Fully hallmarked for London, date letter R for 1872, Victoria duty mark and makers mark HWC for Henry William Curry.
Oel.