An important William IV Cast Sugar Caster made in London in 1836 by John Tapley.
An important William IV Cast Sugar Caster made in London in 1836 by John Tapley.
375219
This is without doubt the most unusual and important Caster which we have offered over all of the years. The Caster is of a large size and stands on a stepped plain spreading foot. The underside of the lower section of the main body is decorated with flared foliate motifs on a matted ground. This rises to a girdle which is also decorated with foliate motifs. The upper section of the main body is beautifully decorated with very detailed fruiting garlands, with flowerheads and foliate motifs. The garlands are most unusually interspersed with caryatid supports, with very detailed female heads which appear to hold up the cover, this is all on a matted ground. The influence for this design comes from ancient Greece and the caryatid supports at the Acropolis. The cover, however, is decorated with beautiful Gothic arch work, almost like windows, and is pierced with quatrefoil motifs. The cover terminates in an stylised artichoke finial. As you will appreciate, Gothic revival style was starting to be at the forefront of design and was to be prevalent during the remainder of the century.
The quality of design and production is quite exceptional and we are sure that this must have been designed by one of the leading silver designers of the period. The quality of production is exceptional and the weight outstanding. John Tapley was located next to Rundell, Bridge and Rundell in Ludgate Hill, in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral. We know that he was supplying these Royal retailers, so would have been producing the finest of pieces. The Caster is fully marked on the side of the main body and on the sleeve of the caster cover.
Height: 8 .1 inches.
Diameter at the widest point: 3.7 inches.
Weight: An outstanding 22oz.
RELATED ITEMS
