George : English Fine and Decorative Arts
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Presentation Script
Here we have an elegant English sterling silver table vessel, hallmarked in London in 1918 — a date that places it at the very threshold of the Art Deco era. Its cylindrical body, flat loop handles, pierced removable liner, and ring-form cover give it that disciplined, architectural composure that would soon define the new style. The hallmark sequence tells the story clearly: lion passant for sterling standard, uncrowned leopard head for London assay, and the date letter “c” corresponding to 1918, alongside the maker’s mark “CS” of C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. The engraving of a beast holding a key lends a note of private heraldry and quiet distinction. Practical as well as handsome, the pierced liner suggests use as a bottle cooler, biscuit barrel, or refined ice service piece. Condition is reassuringly honest, with light surface scratching and age-appropriate wear rather than later alteration. Altogether, this is a confident and well-marked example of early 20th-century London silver — poised between Edwardian refinement and the clean geometry of Art Deco — and a thoroughly usable piece of antique tableware.
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Item Report
English Art Deco Sterling Silver Bottle Cooler or Biscuit Barrel with Liner (London, 1918)
英国装饰艺术风格纯银酒瓶冷却桶或饼干桶（伦敦，1918年）
Owner: Brian M.
Merge Reports: Yes (reconciled). Approval remains manual.
By: C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. (Charles Stuart Harris), London
Style: English Art Deco silver (transitional, dated 1918)
Origin: England
Materials: Sterling silver (lion passant standard); removable pierced inner liner (material not fully confirmed, likely silver to match body)
Age: Hallmarked London, 1918
Condition: Very good (light surface scratches and minor age-appropriate wear; no major damage observed)
Value: Auction estimate: $1,200–$2,500 USD, depending on weight, condition, and market venue.
Peer-Reviewed Market Values
- Dating Range
- Pending structured dating
- Auction Liquidation
- Pending structured market values
- Fair Market Value
- Pending structured market values
- Replacement Value
- Pending structured market values
- Comparables Used
- No saved comparables yet
- Research Confidence
- Not Run
Peer review completed, but this run did not return structured market value ranges.
Maker's Marks / Writing: Maker’s mark "CS" in rectangular punch (C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd.); lion passant (sterling); uncrowned leopard head (London assay); date letter "c" for 1918; engraved heraldic crest of a beast holding a key.
Date: 2026-03-24 02:45:27.399262
Description:
A cylindrical English sterling silver table vessel with flat integrated loop handles, removable pierced inner liner, and matching ring-form cover, hallmarked in London for 1918. The engraved heraldic crest and clean, architectural surfaces reflect an early Art Deco sensibility at the close of the First World War. The form is consistent with a high-quality bottle cooler, biscuit barrel, or refined bar accessory. 一件英国纯银圆筒形桌面器物，配有平式一体环形把手、可拆卸穿孔内胆及环形提钮盖，伦敦检验局1918年标记。器身饰有雕刻纹章，整体线条简洁利落，体现第一次世界大战结束时期向装饰艺术风格过渡的审美特征。造型适合作为酒瓶冷却桶、饼干桶或精致酒吧用器。
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This is a genuine English sterling silver table accessory hallmarked in London in 1918 and attributable to C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. The cylindrical body, flat loop handles, pierced removable liner, and ring-form cover create a disciplined, architectural silhouette that anticipates the emerging Art Deco taste of the post-Edwardian period. The hallmark sequence—lion passant, uncrowned leopard head, date letter "c" in the appropriate shield, and maker’s mark "CS"—confirms sterling standard, London assay, and the year 1918. The absence of a duty head is consistent with this date. The engraved crest of a beast holding a key is a plausible heraldic device, suggestive of private commission. Functionally, the pierced liner supports use as a bottle cooler, biscuit barrel, or ice service component, allowing drainage or airflow. Condition appears very good, with light surface scratching and honest wear commensurate with age. Proportions, mark placement, and construction quality all support authenticity. Overall, it is a handsome and practical example of early 20th-century London silver at the cusp of the Art Deco movement. 此件为1918年伦敦检验的英国纯银桌面器物，可归属C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. 制作。圆筒形器身、平式环形把手、可拆卸穿孔内胆及环形提钮盖构成简洁而富有建筑感的轮廓，体现出后爱德华时期向装饰艺术风格过渡的审美。 其标记包括狮子行走标（纯银标准）、无冠豹头（伦敦检验局）、字母“c”年份标记及“CS”制造商标记，明确对应1918年。未见税印，亦与该时期相符。器身所刻持钥兽形纹章为合理的家族徽章元素，可能为私人定制。 穿孔内胆结构适合作为酒瓶冷却、饼干盛放或冰桶内胆使用。整体保存状况良好，仅见与年代相符的轻微表面划痕与使用痕迹。比例、结构及标记方式均支持其真实性，是一件处于装饰艺术风格初期的重要伦敦银器实例。
Individual Images:
- Close-up of London hallmarks including lion passant
- leopard head
- date letter "c"; detail of engraved crest showing beast holding key; images of removable pierced liner and ring-form cover.
Provenance:
No documented provenance provided.
Condition:
Very good (light surface scratches and minor age-appropriate wear; no major damage observed)
Identification Score: 92%
Clear London hallmarks with legible date letter resolving to 1918, lion passant sterling mark, and maker’s mark "CS" attributable to C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. strongly support confident identification of origin, maker, and date. 清晰的伦敦标记、可对应1918年的年份字母“c”、狮子行走纯银标及可归属C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. 的“CS”制造商标记，使产地、制造商与年份判断具有较高确定性。
Authenticity Score: 90%
The struck hallmark sequence, correct London assay symbols, period-appropriate date letter, and construction details consistent with early 20th-century English silver strongly support authenticity. Visible wear aligns with age, and there are no obvious indicators of modern reproduction. 其冲压标记组合、规范的伦敦检验符号、符合1918年的年份字母以及与20世纪初英国银器一致的制作工艺，均有力支持其真实性。可见磨损与年代相符，未见明显现代仿制特征。
Image Memory Note
Hallmarks resolve conclusively to London 1918; maker’s mark CS attributed to C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. 标记明确对应1918年伦敦检验；“CS”为C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. 制造商标记。
Keywords
English sterling silver, London 1918, C.S. Harris & Sons, Charles Stuart Harris, Art Deco, bottle cooler, biscuit barrel, pierced liner, heraldic crest, lion passant 英国纯银, 1918年伦敦, C.S. Harris & Sons, 查尔斯·斯图亚特·哈里斯, 装饰艺术风格, 酒瓶冷却桶, 饼干桶, 穿孔内胆, 家族纹章, 狮子行走标
Peer Review Summary
Peer Review
Key Visible Evidence
The object is a cylindrical sterling silver table vessel with flat loop handles, a removable pierced inner liner, and a ring-form cover, as depicted in Images 3, 4, and 5. The engraved crest on the body (Image 1) features a beast, possibly a wolf or dog, holding a key. Hallmarks visible in Image 2 include a maker's mark, a lion passant, an uncrowned leopard head, a date letter, and the London assay office mark. The maker's mark appears to be 'CS' within a rectangular punch. The date letter is a lowercase 'c' in a rounded shield. No duty head (sovereign's head) is visible in the hallmark sequence. The overall condition shows light surface scratches and minor wear, consistent with age and use, and no major damage is apparent in the provided images.
Market and Source Support
The presence of the lion passant confirms the metal standard as sterling silver. The uncrowned leopard head indicates a date of 1822 or later. The absence of a duty head (sovereign's head) excludes dates between 1784 and 1890. Based on the date letter 'c' (lowercase, Gothic family, as it best fits the visual and date constraints), and applying the London hallmark dating workflow, the date is resolved to 1918. The maker's mark 'CS' in a rectangular punch is consistently attributed to Charles Stuart Harris, and later C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd., a prominent London silversmithing firm active until 1933/34. The engraved crest of a beast holding a key is a plausible heraldic device; in heraldry, a key can symbolize service to the Church or authority, while a wolf or dog can represent valor, guardianship, loyalty, or perseverance.
Needs Verification
The report's statement regarding the liner's material is contradictory: 'likely silver-gilt or plated interior liner absent; present removable pierced sterling or silver-lined insert.' Image 3 clearly shows a present, removable, pierced inner liner. Further evidence (e.g., specific marks on the liner itself, or a more precise description from the appraiser) would be needed to confirm if the liner is sterling silver, silver-plated, or another material, and to clarify the contradictory statement. While the date letter is resolved to 1918, the report's dating of 'circa 1920s-1930s' is slightly later. This is a minor discrepancy but worth noting for precision; the Art Deco style is generally associated with the 1920s-1930s, so 1918 is at the very beginning of this period or a transitional Edwardian/Art Deco piece. The exact identity of the heraldic crest (i.e., the specific family it represents) cannot be determined from the provided images and general heraldic sources alone; further genealogical research would be required for a definitive attribution.
Audit Conclusion
The object is a genuine English sterling silver table vessel, likely a bottle cooler or biscuit barrel, made by C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. in London in 1918. The visible hallmarks are consistent with British assay practice for sterling silver. The stylistic attribution to Art Deco is plausible given the clean lines and the 1918 date, which places it at the cusp of the Art Deco period. The engraved heraldic crest adds to its character. The condition appears to be very good with age-appropriate wear. The report's maker attribution and general assessment of authenticity are supported by the visible hallmarks and grounded sources. The primary area for clarification is the contradictory statement regarding the inner liner's material and presence. The estimated value range should be considered in light of the confirmed maker and date.
Comparables (Similar Items)
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