A Christopher Dresser sterling silver sugar basin and shovel

I am delighted to add another sterling silver piece by Christopher Dresser to the Collection. To my mind he is without doubt the father of both modern and commercial design.  Pieces that are unequivocally designed by Dresser and of the period in sterling silver are rare.

This piece is hallmarked for Hukin and Heath, London, 1881, for whom Dresser did the original design in around 1880, model number 2372 .  This sugar bowl, with fitted sugar spoon, is Dresser’s modernist  take on a coal scuttle with shovel.  The design is best known for its later Walker & Hall version, Hukin and Heath plated versions are rare, sterling silver contemporaneous pieces, like this one, exceptionally rare.

The sugar bowl comes with its original, and identically, hallmarked sugar spoon/shovel.

For an identical design, with aesthetic engraving, see Harry Lyons “Christopher Dresser, The People’s Designer” page 201. Page 196 of the same book shows the original extract from Hukin & Heath’s costings book, listing this design 2372, as being by Dresser.

Condition is excellent with contemporaneous small crest of pegasus (unidentified) engraved to both sides.

Price range: Sold

Maker: Hukin & Heath

Designer: Christopher Dresser

Date : 1881

Marks: JWN/JTH, London, “F”

Material: Sterling silver

Condition: Excellent.

Size: 16.5cm wide, 11.75cm high. Shovel 13 cm long.

Weight : 10.4 oz, 295 grams