Object Description
Antique English silver Orientalist and equestrian centrepiece by Edward Barnard & Sons
English, 1851
Height 77cm, diameter 51cm
This exquisite silver centrepiece, crafted in 1851 by Edward Barnard & Sons, exemplifies both exceptional craftsmanship and the decorative flair of mid-19th-century silver. Established in 1820 in Sheffield, England, Edward Barnard & Sons became one of Britain’s foremost silversmiths, renowned for their elegant flatware and silverware. While the firm is best known for traditional British designs, they also created pieces inspired by the 19th-century European fascination with the Orient, blending meticulous technique with exotic motifs that remain highly prized by collectors.
Designed in the form of a palm tree, the centrepiece features finely detailed branches that serve as candelabrum arms, each finished with a candelcup. At its heart sits a latticed silver bowl, supported by a stem sculpted to resemble a palm trunk. Encircling the base, a lively Orientalist scene depicts a man on horseback, spear in hand, confronting a tiger as it moves gracefully around the tree. The figures and animals are rendered mid-action – the horse rearing, the tiger poised – set atop a textured rocky ground that enhances the realism of the composition.
The shaped base is adorned with high-relief floral and foliate motifs, gracefully extending toward the elegantly formed feet, with one panel engraved with a coat of arms. Hallmarks, including the maker’s stamp and ‘C. TAYLOR & SON / BRISTOL,’ are visible in several locations.
A remarkable example of 19th century silver and an early representation of the Orientalist style, this centrepiece candelabrum is a striking and highly desirable addition for any collector.
The silver weighs approximately 8.6kg.