A superb, large, two handled lidded silver dish by Charles Ashbee for the Guild of Handicraft

Price range: >£10,000+

For sale is this rare, larger than typical, two handled bowl with enamelled lid, by Charles Ashbee for the Guild of Handicraft. The enamel to the lid being a vibrant mix of green, blue and yellow hues.  The lid with large knop holding a large green stone, presumed to be a chrysoprase.  A really good example of its type and quite early, carrying date mark 1901. Alan Crawford describes this porringer design as the most “characteristic and successful” application of Ashbee’s graceful use of wirework in silver.

For a similar (smaller) example held by the Victorian and Albert Museum see this link

The condition is excellent, with crisp full assay marks to both the base and lid.  There is no glass liner and I am not sure this bowl would have had one originally.  There is no aperture for a spoon or knife, which seems to be a characteristic of this larger design.  The stone insert to the lid, I assume a chrysoprase, has a line within the stone.  It is not at all noticeable but may be a crack (not touching the surface of the stone) or a natural inclusion. The span of this piece is 28.5 cm in total, the bowl 14 cm.  Ashbee’s more typical two handled porringers are c. 26 cm and 11 cm respectively.

Maker:  Guild of Handicraft
Designer: Charles Ashbee
Date : 1901
Marks: GofH Ltd, London,  “f” (both pieces)
Material: Sterling silver, chrysoprase, enamel
Condition: Excellent
Size: 28.5 cm wide, 11.0 cm high, bowl diameter 14.0 cm
Weight : 18.7 oz, 530 grams (includes enamelled copper inset to lid)