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Lot Essay
The present goblet formed part of the contribution of Johannes Mattheus van Kempen (1814-1877) to the Great Exhibition that was held at London in 1851. Van Kempen may be considered one of the foremost Dutch contributors to this first world fair. His contribution comprised 19 silver objects, executed in five different historical styles: the Greek, the gothic, the renaissance, the Louis XIV and the Louis XV. They were all designed by the Dutch designer and painter Gerardus Willem van Dokkum (1828-1903).
The present goblet belonged to the group of objects in renaissance style, which further comprised: a magnificent jewelry case (sold in these rooms 27 April 2004. Today in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam), a goblet and two dishes. Along with these objects Van Kempen published a pamphlet titled: Over de vormen van gouden en zilveren werken. Een woord ten geleide der voorwerpen, gezonden op de tentoonstelling te Londen (Concerning the shapes of works of gold and silver. An introduction to the objects send in for the London exhibition), in which Van Kempen lashed out at the contemporary style eclecticism. According to Van Kempen, who was, like many of his contemporaries, looking for a new and individual style, it was only possible to come to such a style after a conscientious study of the different historical styles. A copy of the pamphlet was exhibited at the world fair together with the silver.
Although, according to our modern standards, G.W. van Dokkum's designs appear less pure in style than Van Kempen may have strived for, his exhibit got positive reviews. W.F. Broers, a Dutch engraver, praised Van Kempen for the fact that he, unlike many of the other participants, had put considerable effort into producing new objects especially for the London exhibition. And the critic of the Morning Chronicle wrote a favourable review: "M. J.M. van Kempen expose de magnifiques ouvrages d'orfèvrerie, classés suivant leur style, et d'une exécution extremement remarquable. Chacune de tablettes de sa vitrine supporte des ouvrages d'un style différent: le gothique en haut, la Renaissance et le Louis XIV au milieu; le Louis XV en bas. La plupart des orfèvres qui ont exposé, feront bien de suivre un peu la méthode de M. van Kempen, de d'apprendre de lui que la mélange des différents styles est un signe de décadence artistique".
The present goblet belonged to the group of objects in renaissance style, which further comprised: a magnificent jewelry case (sold in these rooms 27 April 2004. Today in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam), a goblet and two dishes. Along with these objects Van Kempen published a pamphlet titled: Over de vormen van gouden en zilveren werken. Een woord ten geleide der voorwerpen, gezonden op de tentoonstelling te Londen (Concerning the shapes of works of gold and silver. An introduction to the objects send in for the London exhibition), in which Van Kempen lashed out at the contemporary style eclecticism. According to Van Kempen, who was, like many of his contemporaries, looking for a new and individual style, it was only possible to come to such a style after a conscientious study of the different historical styles. A copy of the pamphlet was exhibited at the world fair together with the silver.
Although, according to our modern standards, G.W. van Dokkum's designs appear less pure in style than Van Kempen may have strived for, his exhibit got positive reviews. W.F. Broers, a Dutch engraver, praised Van Kempen for the fact that he, unlike many of the other participants, had put considerable effort into producing new objects especially for the London exhibition. And the critic of the Morning Chronicle wrote a favourable review: "M. J.M. van Kempen expose de magnifiques ouvrages d'orfèvrerie, classés suivant leur style, et d'une exécution extremement remarquable. Chacune de tablettes de sa vitrine supporte des ouvrages d'un style différent: le gothique en haut, la Renaissance et le Louis XIV au milieu; le Louis XV en bas. La plupart des orfèvres qui ont exposé, feront bien de suivre un peu la méthode de M. van Kempen, de d'apprendre de lui que la mélange des différents styles est un signe de décadence artistique".