George : English Fine and Decorative Arts
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Presentation Script
Here we have a Victorian London Sterling Silver Pedestal Bowl, precisely assayed in 1890, a form that sits beautifully between table luxury and sculptural restraint. It was made to serve elegantly—fruit, sweetmeats, or simply status—and it still does all three rather well. The design speaks the language of the late 19th century’s neoclassical revival: clean classical balance, a bold reeded foot, and finely cast acanthus at the lower body. The engraved greyhound or whippet crest suggests a family commission or armorial ownership, giving the bowl a pleasing touch of personal history. The craftsmanship is confident and substantial. This is not flimsy decorative plate, but a properly made silver vessel with convincing molded detail and a crisply struck hallmarked surface. The marks tell the story clearly: lion passant for sterling, uncrowned leopard head for London, Roman uppercase date letter for 1890, duty head, and the maker’s punch “R.S.” Together they anchor the bowl firmly to its year and place of assay. Condition looks very good overall. There are light surface scratches and signs of polishing, exactly what one expects from honest use over more than a century, but no glaring dents or structural problems visible here. Victorian silver of this quality remains steadily collected, particularly when complete hallmarks and decorative engraving are present. With weight and dimensions confirmed, one would expect a market performance comfortably within the $1,200 to $2,500 range at auction. A handsome and well-documented survivor of the English table indeed.
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Item Report
Victorian London Sterling Silver Pedestal Bowl (Assay Year 1890)
维多利亚时期伦敦纯银高足果盘（1890年检验）
Owner: Danny A.
Merge Reports: Yes (reconciled). Approval remains manual.
By: Maker’s mark “R.S” (London, 1890); specific maker not conclusively identified
Style: Victorian period silver (late 19th century, neoclassical revival taste)
Origin: England (London assay)
Materials: sterling silver
Age: Assay year 1890
Condition: Very good (light surface scratches and polishing wear consistent with age; no major dents or structural damage visible)
Value: Auction estimate: $1,200–$2,500 USD, depending on size, weight, maker identification, and condition.
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: Hallmarked for London, 1890, including maker’s mark “R.S” in rectangular punch with clipped corners, lion passant (sterling), uncrowned leopard head (London assay), Roman uppercase date letter P (1890), and duty head.
Date: 2026-03-23 03:31:28.773703
Description:
An English sterling silver pedestal bowl or comport with a broad circular basin, reeded band below the rim, cast acanthus leaf ornament at the lower body, and a reeded stepped circular foot. The body is engraved with a greyhound or whippet crest. The form combines neoclassical symmetry with bold molded detail typical of late 19th-century English silver. Fully hallmarked for London, assay year 1890, with maker’s mark “R.S,” lion passant, uncrowned leopard head, Roman uppercase date letter (P), and duty head. 一件英国纯银高足果盘，宽口圆形盘身，口沿下方饰有凹槽纹带，下腹部饰铸造莨苕叶纹，高足为阶梯式圆形并饰凹槽纹。盘身刻有灵缇犬或惠比特犬纹章。整体造型对称典雅，具有19世纪晚期英国银器常见的新古典主义风格。器物带完整伦敦检验印记，年份为1890年，包含“R.S”制造商印记、行走狮标（纯银标准）、无冠豹头（伦敦检验所）、罗马大写字母日期字母（P）及税印头像。
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This pedestal bowl is a genuine example of late Victorian English sterling silver, assayed in London in 1890. The hallmarks are clear and consistent: lion passant for sterling standard, uncrowned leopard head for London, Roman uppercase date letter corresponding to 1890, a duty head (used until its abolition in 1890), and a maker’s punch reading “R.S.” Together, these firmly anchor the piece to its precise assay year. Stylistically, the bowl reflects the enduring appeal of neoclassical design in the late 19th century. The reeded foot, cast acanthus ornament, and balanced proportions echo earlier Georgian and Regency models, yet the crispness and weight of the decoration are entirely consistent with high-quality Victorian silver. The engraved greyhound crest suggests armorial ownership, likely commissioned by or associated with a particular family. Condition appears very good, with light surface scratching and polishing wear commensurate with age and use, and no significant structural damage visible. Comparable Victorian sterling silver pedestal bowls from the 1880s–1890s show a broad but supportive market range, placing this example comfortably within the stated estimate, assuming typical weight and dimensions for the form. 此高足果盘为一件真正的维多利亚时期英国纯银器物，于1890年在伦敦检验。其印记清晰且彼此吻合：行走狮标代表纯银标准，无冠豹头为伦敦检验所标志，罗马大写字母日期字母对应1890年，税印头像（1890年废止前使用），以及“R.S”制造商印记。这些标志共同确立了其准确的检验年份。 从风格上看，此器体现了19世纪晚期对新古典主义风格的延续。凹槽高足、铸造莨苕叶装饰以及匀称比例呼应乔治及摄政时期风格，但装饰的清晰度与分量感则符合高品质维多利亚时期银器特征。 盘身所刻灵缇犬纹章表明其可能为家族定制或具有家族渊源。整体保存状况良好，仅见与年代相符的轻微表面划痕与抛光痕迹，未见明显结构性损伤。 与1880至1890年代的维多利亚纯银高足果盘市场成交情况对比，其估值区间合理，具体价格仍取决于重量、尺寸及制造商确认情况。
Individual Images:
- overall view of bowl; overhead view of basin; close-up of hallmarks showing R.S
- lion passant
- uncrowned leopard head
- date letter P
- and duty head; detail of reeded foot; detail of engraved greyhound crest
Provenance:
No provenance documentation provided.
Condition:
Very good (light surface scratches and polishing wear consistent with age; no major dents or structural damage visible)
Identification Score: 98%
The form, decorative elements, and complete London hallmark set, including a date letter corresponding to 1890, make identification as a Victorian London sterling silver pedestal bowl secure. 器型、装饰风格以及完整的伦敦检验印记（包含对应1890年的日期字母）使其被认定为维多利亚时期伦敦纯银高足果盘具有高度确定性。
Authenticity Score: 90%
The hallmarks appear struck rather than etched and form a coherent and period-correct set for London, 1890. Surface wear and engraving are consistent with age. Final confirmation would benefit from in-person inspection and weight verification. 印记呈冲压而非蚀刻，且与1890年伦敦银器印记体系一致。表面磨损与刻纹状态符合年代特征。如能实物检视及称重确认，将更为稳妥。
Image Memory Note
London hallmark set with Roman uppercase P date letter corresponding to 1890 and maker’s mark R.S. 伦敦印记组，罗马大写字母P对应1890年，制造商印记为R.S。
Keywords
Victorian sterling silver pedestal bowl, London 1890 silver, R.S maker mark, lion passant, uncrowned leopard head, duty head mark, neoclassical silver, acanthus ornament, armorial crest, greyhound engraving 维多利亚纯银高足果盘, 1890年伦敦银器, R.S制造商印记, 行走狮标, 无冠豹头, 税印头像, 新古典主义银器, 莨苕叶装饰, 家族纹章, 灵缇犬刻纹
Peer Review Summary
Peer Review
Key Visible Evidence
The object is an English sterling silver pedestal bowl or comport, featuring a broad circular basin, a reeded band below the rim, a band of cast acanthus leaf decoration around the lower body, and a reeded, stepped circular foot (Image 1, 2, 4). An engraved crest depicting a greyhound or whippet is visible on the body (Image 1, 5). The hallmarks, clearly visible in Image 3, consist of a maker's mark 'R.S' in a rectangular punch with clipped corners, a lion passant (sterling standard), an uncrowned leopard head (London assay office), a Roman Uppercase date letter (most probably 'P'), and a duty head facing right. The overall style, with its neoclassical elements and bold molded details, is consistent with late 19th-century English silver. The condition appears to be very good, with expected surface wear and polishing marks.
Market and Source Support
The visible hallmarks confirm the object is English sterling silver, assayed in London. The presence of the uncrowned leopard head indicates a date of 1822 or later. The duty head, a profile of the reigning monarch, was used between 1784 and 1890. The simultaneous presence of an uncrowned leopard head and a duty head, combined with a Roman Uppercase date letter, leads to a specific dating. Applying the mandatory dating workflow: - Observed letter/case/family: Roman Uppercase 'P' (most probable reading from Image 3). - Table candidates from the provided text table (ROMAN UPPERCASE): 1730, 1810, 1890. - Eliminations: The uncrowned leopard head eliminates 1730 and 1810 (as it signifies 1822 or later). The duty head confirms the period 1784-1890. The duty mark was abolished in 1890. Therefore, the latest possible year for a piece bearing a duty head is 1890. - Final selected year: 1890. This dating contradicts the report's claim of 'circa 1815-1825'. The object is firmly dated to 1890, placing it in the late Victorian period, not the Regency period. The maker's mark 'R.S' does not correspond to Robert Garrard or the Garrard workshop, whose marks are typically 'RG' or 'R.G' (or R.J. & S. Garrard, R. & S. Garrard & Co.). The report's maker attribution is therefore unsupported by the visible mark. Comparables for late Victorian sterling silver pedestal bowls or comports from London or other British assay offices, dated around 1890-1898, show a range of values. A 'Victorian Sterling Silver Pedestal Bowl Dated 1895' from Cynthia Findlay Fine Jewellery & Antiques is a close stylistic and period match. Another 'Victorian Sterling Silver Comport' from JH Tee Antiques, Sheffield 1898, is listed for approximately $1,998.96. An 'Antique British Solid Sterling Silver Pedestal Compote w/ Green Glass c1890–1910' on Mercari is priced at $349.99. An 'Impressive Victorian silver pedestal bowl' from Langfords, London 1885, also provides a relevant comparison. These comparables suggest that the report's value estimate of $1,200-$2,500 for an authentic piece is within a plausible range for a late Victorian sterling silver comport of this type.
Needs Verification
The precise identity of the maker 'R.S' for London, 1890, remains unconfirmed from the provided search results and reference tables. Further research into specific London silversmiths active in 1890 with the 'R.S' mark would be needed for a definitive maker attribution. While the date letter is most likely 'P', a higher resolution image or direct inspection could confirm this and rule out other Roman Uppercase letters that might appear similar.
Audit Conclusion
The report accurately identifies the object as an English sterling silver pedestal bowl. However, the dating of 'circa 1815-1825' (Regency period) is incorrect. Based on the visible hallmarks, specifically the uncrowned leopard head and the presence of the duty head, the object is precisely dated to 1890, placing it in the late Victorian period. The attribution to 'Robert Garrard or Garrard workshop' is also incorrect, as the visible maker's mark 'R.S' does not match known Garrard marks. The overall condition assessment is consistent with visual evidence. The value estimate, while plausible for a late Victorian sterling silver comport, should be re-evaluated in light of the corrected dating and maker information. The authenticity of the hallmarks as struck rather than etched is visually supported.
Comparables (Similar Items)
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