Object Description
A truly superb antique silver plated punch bowl set by Barker & Ellis of England, that includes twelve punch cups and a matched punch ladle, dating from Circa 1920.
The punch bowl with chased floral and foliate decoration and cast rim with fruit, foliage and rocaille, standing on four foliate bracket feet
This highly versatile item can also be used as a wine or champagne cooler.
The quality and craftsmanship throughout the piece are truly second to none.
Condition:
In really excellent as new unused condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 27 cm x Width 42 cm x Depth 42 cm – Bowl
Height 6 cm x Width 54.5 cm x Depth 54.5 cm – Tray
Height 7 cm x Width 39.5 cm x Depth 7 cm – Cups
Dimensions in inches:
Height 11 inches x Width 1 foot, 4 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches – Bowl
Height 2 inches x Width 1 foot, 9 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches – Tray
Height 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 4 inches x Depth 3 inches – Cups
The Barker Brothers are one of the oldest firms of silversmiths originating from Birmingham. The Barker Brothers, also known The Barker Ellis Silver Company, was established in 1801.
The business is listed as Barker Brothers in the Post Office Directory of Birmingham from 1871 as Barker Brothers, the company became Barker Brothers Silvermiths Ltd in 1907.
The Barker Brothers enjoyed success during this period, and produced silverware from offices in both Birmingham and Chester, with the items crafted in Chester being created under the supervision of Herbert Edward Barker & Frank Ernest Barker themselves.
During the 1960s The Barker Brothers Silversmiths merged with Ellis & Co., also of Birmingham, and the business went through a period of being a subsidiary to Pentos PLC, eventually returning to private ownership in 1984.
The company maintained premises in London until the mid-1980’s, firmly establishing its reputation for high quality silverware and electroplate goods.
The Barker Brothers were known for producing utilitarian silver, flatware and tableware, and their silverware encompassed many popular styles of the era; such as Queen Anne, Art Deco and Nouveau – no doubt influenced by the silversmiths who joined the company as its reputation grew. Their success is certainly due to their ability to adapt and produce a variation of styles, moving with the popular fashion in silverware at the time.
Punch Bowl
The word punch is a loanword from Hindi. The original drink was named paantsch, which is Hindi for “five”, and the drink was made from five different ingredients: spirit, sugar, lemon, water or tea and spices. The drink was brought back from India to England by the sailors and employees of the British East India Company in the early seventeenth century, and from there it was introduced into other European countries.
Punch quickly became a popular drink. It was served in punch bowls, usually ceramic or silver, which were often elaborately decorated. Punch bowls sometimes had lids or were supported on a stand; other accessories such as a serving ladle and cups in which to serve the drink sometimes accompanied the punch bowl. Punch bowls were often painted with inscriptions or were used for testimonial purposes: the first successful whaling voyage from Liverpool was commemorated by a punch bowl presented by the owners of the ship to its captain.
The punch-bowl was an indespensible vessel in every house above the humblest class. And there were many kindly recollections connected with it, it being very frequently given as a present. No young married couple ever thought of buying a punch-bowl; it was always presented to them by a near-relative.
Our reference: A4634