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Lot Essay
The Martel costing records reveal this ewer and basin were completed on January 18, 1905 at a net factory price of $825. Workmen spent 110 hours just on the basic fashioning of the objects; the pieces were then passed to Gorham's master chaser, Robert Bain, who spent an astonishing 475 hours in their completion. Bain's skills were held in such high regard that he was assigned only special projects in the factory and his output was limited. Indeed, Gorham researcher Sam Hough has calculated that his production for the entire year of 1900 was estimated at only 12 pieces.
Bain spent 254 hours chasing the present ewer and 221 hours chasing the basin. In total, Bain expended just over 8 weeks of a 60-hour work week. By contrast, another Martel ewer and basin chased by Bain, which sold at Sotheby's, New York, from the collection of Victor Niederhoffer on June 18, 1998, lot 1611, required 200 hours less work.
The special nature of this project is indicated not only by the time expended by Robert Bain, but also by the extraordinary choice of decoration. The whimsical nature of this ewer and basin, featuring cherub-headed daisies, demonstrates the individuality of design of the best Martel silver, and these pieces remain a tour de force of chased work.
Bain spent 254 hours chasing the present ewer and 221 hours chasing the basin. In total, Bain expended just over 8 weeks of a 60-hour work week. By contrast, another Martel ewer and basin chased by Bain, which sold at Sotheby's, New York, from the collection of Victor Niederhoffer on June 18, 1998, lot 1611, required 200 hours less work.
The special nature of this project is indicated not only by the time expended by Robert Bain, but also by the extraordinary choice of decoration. The whimsical nature of this ewer and basin, featuring cherub-headed daisies, demonstrates the individuality of design of the best Martel silver, and these pieces remain a tour de force of chased work.