Vintage Silver Ice Bucket, London 1929.

Object Description

An attractive silver bottle holder or ice bucket styled as a wooden pail with a raised handle. This form is popularly known as a “piggin”. Engraved to the handle is a horse crest above the motto “Festina Lente”.

Weight 447g, 14.3 troy oz.
Height 13.6cm (top of handle). Diameter 13.2cm.
London 1929.
Maker Richard Comyns.
Sterling silver.

A very charming item. Could be used as an ice bucket, bottle holder or even to hold a plant or flowers.

Marks. Stamped below the rim with a full set of English silver hallmarks.

Arms. A Horse passant Argent charged on the shoulder with a Portcullis Sable. The crest and motto are those of a descendant of William Conyngham Plunket, 1st Baron Plunket of Newton, Co. Cork. The likely candidate would be one of the two elder sons of William Lee Plunket GCMG GCVO KBE KStJ, 5th Baron Plunket (19 December 1864 – 24 January 1920). Either Terence Conyngham, 6th Baron Plunket (12 Jul 1899 – 24 Feb 1938) who died with his wife in a plane crash bound for the ranch of William Randolph Hearst at San Simeon in California or his younger brother F/Lt. Hon. Brindsley Sheridan Bushe Plunket (28 Jun 1903 – 24. Nov 1941) who was killed in action.

Maker: Richard Comyns

Richard Comyns. A prestigious firm of manufacturing silversmiths originally established by William Comyns in circa 1859 when he purchased the business of Robert Tagg, an outworker of Rundell, Bridge & Co. William Comyns, silversmith, of 1 Percy Mews, Rathbone Place, then 16 Silver Street, Golden Square, Soho, and then Beak Street, Regent Street. Additional premises taken circa 1903 at 54 Marshall Street, Soho. The firm became William Comyns & Son in circa 1885 when sons Charles and Richard became partners. William Comyns died 1916. The business became William Comyn & Sons Ltd in 1930, with R.H. Comyns as permanent governing director. In 1953 the company was purchased by Bernard Copping and is now one of the few surviving manufacturing silversmiths in London, with premises at Comyns House, Tower Street, London, WC2.

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Object Literature

“Piggin” refers to a small wooden pail or bucket with one stave extended to form a handle. The word has roots in Middle English and was used for centuries in the Midlands, Scotland, and the North of England for purposes like milking or holding liquids. Another meaning, primarily in Scotland, is an earthenware pot.

Object Condition

The silver pot is in very good condition with minimal wear commensurate with age.

Object Details