Object Description
For sale is this really authentic arts and crafts Liberty Cymric four handled cup or bowl by Oliver Baker. A really striking piece, the bowl is studded with unusual stones that I believe are agates. It is really wonderful in the hand.
This drinking vessel is model 552 in the Liberty sketch book (page 30). I believe the inspiration for this bowl was an ancient vessel that can be found sketched in Baker’s sketch book (held in the Baker family archive, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Library, Stratford), as shown in “other images”. Baker was an antiquarian, as well as artist and, briefly, a designer, and it is quite possible this piece was inspired by a bowl he was selling.
Condition is excellent. The bowl is fully hallmarked for 1901. As with most of Baker’s design for Liberty it is a very good gauge of silver. Please see my article on Baker at this link if you wish to read more about him and his work