An extremely rare George III Neo Classical Two Handled Bowl made in London in 1784 by Andrew Fogelberg & Stephen Gilbert.

The Bowl stands on a circular pedestal foot decorated with an outer beaded band.  The vase shaped main body displays an upper frieze of vitruvian scrolls, and harebells, on a matted ground, enclosed by beaded bands.  The bowl has two loop side handles decorated with leaf capping.  The front and reverse unusually display oval applied classical medallions, the front one depicting Cupid, god of desire, love and affection.  He is shown with his wife Psyche, who is often portrayed as a beautiful woman with butterfly wings.  The second medallion depicts Calliope, the muse of poetry: the winged female figure stands against a column moulded with an anchor, holding a stylus and a tablet in her hands.  It is most unusual to find silver with these applied Neo Classical medallions and they are nearly always from the workshops of Andrew Fogelberg, or Fogelberg in partnership with Stephen Gilbert.

The source of these medallions has always thought to be James Tassie, who had premises near to these silversmiths, in Church Street, Soho.  He was a modeller and reproducer of antique gems at this date.  These medallions were also produced in paste by Wedgewood and Bentley who were supplied with casts by Flaxman and Hackwood, amongst others, as well as by Tassie.  The front of the main body is also engraved with a contemporary Crest, as used by the Spooks family of Warwickshire.  An Elizabeth Spooks is recorded as marrying a John Pritchard in 1751.

The bowl is in excellent condition and is very well marked in the foot.  Work by Andrew Fogelberg and Stephen Gilbert is always of fine finish and fine quality.  Fogelberg was, of course, Master to Paul Storr, the finest British Silversmith of all time, which would account for the quality of this piece.  The partnership occupied workshops at 29, Church Street, Soho when this bowl was made.

Height, to the top of the handles: 5.75 inches, 14.38 cm.

Length, handle to handle: 6.6 inches, 16.5 cm.

Diameter of the bowl: 4.45 inches, 11.13 cm.

Weight: 14oz.