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Lot Essay
Pear-shaped covered drinking vessels with suspension chains, known as pilgrim flasks or bottles, were first produced in the late Middle-Ages in leather and carried by pilgrims and crusaders. They seem to have fallen out of favor in the late 16th century when the flow of travellers to pilgrimage sites, such as Saint-Jean of Compostel, died out, and life became less itinerant. Examples in precious metals continued, however, to be produced as luxury wares assuming ceremonial purposes. A rare French Renaissance example, with dragon-shaped chain attachments, and engraved with the arms of Henri III, is preserved in the chapel of the Order of the Saint-Esprit, Paris (Carl Hernmarck, The Art of European Silversmith, 1430-1830, vol. II, p. 97, pl. 292). A pair of German flasks made by Thomas Rehwendt, circa 1690, for the Elector of Brandenburg sold at Christie's, New York, October 21, 1993, lot 285.
The fashion for the form was revived in England in the early 17th century, introduced probably by French Huguenots silversmiths. A fine example by Anthony Nelme, dated 1715, is at Chatsworth. Another one bearing the arms of the first Duke of Marlborough and made by John Goode is in the collection of Earl Spencer, Althorp. Contemporary prints, such as Martin Engelbrecht's representation of the great silver buffet in the Rittersaal at the Berlin Schloss, circa 1708, indicate that they were gracefully arranged on side buffets during formal banquets, displaying the status of the host. Placed in wine cisterns, they also served to decant wine.
Flasks enjoyed a second wave of popularity in the late Victorain period. A pair by James Garrard, 1890, sold at Christie's, London, March 31, 1998, lot 42.
The fashion for the form was revived in England in the early 17th century, introduced probably by French Huguenots silversmiths. A fine example by Anthony Nelme, dated 1715, is at Chatsworth. Another one bearing the arms of the first Duke of Marlborough and made by John Goode is in the collection of Earl Spencer, Althorp. Contemporary prints, such as Martin Engelbrecht's representation of the great silver buffet in the Rittersaal at the Berlin Schloss, circa 1708, indicate that they were gracefully arranged on side buffets during formal banquets, displaying the status of the host. Placed in wine cisterns, they also served to decant wine.
Flasks enjoyed a second wave of popularity in the late Victorain period. A pair by James Garrard, 1890, sold at Christie's, London, March 31, 1998, lot 42.