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The gold boxes, the highlight
of the Gilbert Collection, display originality of form, decoration
and materials and an astonishing virtuosity of craftsmanship. At their
best they are some of the most remarkable works of art of the 18th
century and a microcosm of their age. more |
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Diamond encrusted gold snuffbox decorated
with classical scenes. |
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Gold and hardstone snuffbox set with emeralds,
rubies and diamonds. |
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Mother-of-pearl snuffbox set with diamonds,
citrines, ameythists and quartz. |
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Black marble snuffbox decorated with gold
and encrusted with hardstones flowers. |
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Enamelled gold snuffbox with sunbursts,
military medals and orders. |
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Gold bonbonnière with micromosaic
panels and turquoise, jasper and lapis lazuli decoration. |
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Triple porcelain snuffbox painted in enamels,
with gold mounts. |
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Chrysoprase quartz snuffbox decorated
with diamonds and gold. |
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The silver collection presents an
exceptionally full picture of the range and styles of European silver
from the Renaissance to the early 19th century. The collection focuses
on fine craftsmanship and design and is much richer in ornamental
objects than pieces for daily use. more |
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Silver-gilt casting bottle embossed with
sprays of foliage. |
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The 'Lafayette Vase', made as a presentation piece in silver-gilt
and other metals. |
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Silver-gilt cup and cover decorated with putti, scrolls, vines, masks and flowers. |
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Tankard in silver and parcel gilt, made
in Germany, mid-16th century. |
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Ornate silver dish and matching ewer with
raised and cast decorations. |
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Silver soup tureens made for Ernest Augustus,
fifth son of George III |
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Earthenware jug, c.1600, with later silver
mounts, cover and handle. |
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Silver wine coolers, decorated with swags
of vines and with poodle handles! |
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Sir Arthur Gilbert had an eye for the unusual
and his gold & treasury collection includes some
extraordinary, diverse and contrasting objects, including a 16th century
jewelled partridge from Nuremberg, a pair of royal gates from a monastery
in Kiev, an Indian Maharaja’s silver howdah or elephant chair,
and an Anatolian ewer, an extremely early survivor which dates from
the third millennium BC. more |
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Gold and enamel cup, probably made in
Augsburg in 1665. |
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Cup and cover in silver gilt and polished
turban shell. |
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Gold presentation cup and cover made in
London 1806-7. |
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A Howdah, or elephant seat, made from silver and other materials. |
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Silver and silver-gilt nef in the form
of a two-masted sailing ship. |
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Gold Anatolian ewer dating from around
2500 BC. |
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A pair of silver and parcel-gilt gates
from Kiev, made in the reign of Catherine II. |
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Partridge vessel made from silver and silver-gilt, decorated with jewels. |
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Two kinds of Italian mosaic are celebrated in the Gilbert
Collection; pietre dure (literally hard stones)
developed in Renaissance Florence and enamel micromosaics made in
Rome. From vases to snuffboxes and tables to jewellery, nowhere in
te world has a comparable collection. more |
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Sir Arthur Gilbert had a special
affection for enamel miniature portraits, where each colour
is fired separately in a kiln before the next is applied. His collection
contains over one hundred examples of this remarkable and exacting
art form, which became fashionable across 18th century Europe because
of the permanence and brilliance of the medium.
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John Churchill, First Duke of Marlborough
by Charles Boit. |
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Thomas, 1st Baron Dimsdale by Henry Bone. |
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George IV as Prince Regent by Henry Bone. |
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George Washington by Henry Bone. |
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Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire
by Johann Heinrich Hurter. |
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Queen Charlotte by Johann Heinrich Hurter. |
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Benjamin Franklin in a Mauve Jacket by
Jean Baptiste Weyler. |
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Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough by Christian
Freidrich Zincke. |
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the
Gilbert silver