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Lot Essay
RUNDELL, BRIDGE AND RUNDELL
While today names like Paul Storr and John Bridge are celebrated for their excellence of design and skill in craftsmanship, in first years of the 19th century it would have been the retailers Rundell Bridge and Rundell whose name represented the pinnacle of The Business of Luxury,as they are described in Royal Goldsmiths: The Art of Rundell & Bridge 1797-1843, London, 2005.
The firm, located at 32 Ludgate Hill, was born when Philip Rundell (1746-1827) bought the business of William Pickett, in 1786. He was joined in running the business by John Bridge. The pair made a perfect team with Rundell running the shop while Bridge dealt with the clients. In 1805, Rundell took his nephew, Edmund Waller Rundell into partnership, whereupon the business was restyled Rundell, Bridge and Rundell.
By this time they were one of the main manufacturers of quality silver plate, jewels and gold boxes. The firm grew rapidly, so much so that by the 1820's, it was a vast enterprise with agencies in Paris, Vienna, St. Petersburg, Baghdad, Constantinople, Bombay, Calcutta, and various cities in South America.
It was in 1807 that Paul Storr, the gifted master silversmith, was persuaded to join the firm, followed the next year by the sculptor, William Theed (1764-1817) who had previously worked as a modeller for Wedgwood. When Theed died, Rundell took on another leading sculptor, John Flaxman (1755-1826). Unlike Theed, Flaxman was never a partner but was employed as the firm's designer and made models and drawings for many of the firms important commissions
Having been appointed, in 1797, as one of the goldsmiths to King George III the firm were regular suppliers to the Royal Family. For example the Prince of Wales ordered a service of silver-gilt plate of sufficient size and importance for use on State occasions. The Prince of Wales State plate was shown in an exhibit held for three days of every week during the spring of 1807. Invitation was by ticket only.
"All the Rich, the great and Noble of the Land flocked to see the display of the Grand Service. Their carriages blocked Ludgate Hill until seven o'clock each evening."
It was not until after Paul Storr had left the firm in 1819 that Philip Rundell entered his own mark, though he retired soon after, in 1823. He died four years later leaving a phenomenal personal fortune of around £1,500,000 to his nephew, Joseph Neeld, (who in turn bequeathed his wealth to Queen Victoria). Rundell's workshop continued operating up until the death of John Bridge in 1834. Thereafter the firm continued to commission silver from other manufacturers until it finally closed in 1843.
While today names like Paul Storr and John Bridge are celebrated for their excellence of design and skill in craftsmanship, in first years of the 19th century it would have been the retailers Rundell Bridge and Rundell whose name represented the pinnacle of The Business of Luxury,as they are described in Royal Goldsmiths: The Art of Rundell & Bridge 1797-1843, London, 2005.
The firm, located at 32 Ludgate Hill, was born when Philip Rundell (1746-1827) bought the business of William Pickett, in 1786. He was joined in running the business by John Bridge. The pair made a perfect team with Rundell running the shop while Bridge dealt with the clients. In 1805, Rundell took his nephew, Edmund Waller Rundell into partnership, whereupon the business was restyled Rundell, Bridge and Rundell.
By this time they were one of the main manufacturers of quality silver plate, jewels and gold boxes. The firm grew rapidly, so much so that by the 1820's, it was a vast enterprise with agencies in Paris, Vienna, St. Petersburg, Baghdad, Constantinople, Bombay, Calcutta, and various cities in South America.
It was in 1807 that Paul Storr, the gifted master silversmith, was persuaded to join the firm, followed the next year by the sculptor, William Theed (1764-1817) who had previously worked as a modeller for Wedgwood. When Theed died, Rundell took on another leading sculptor, John Flaxman (1755-1826). Unlike Theed, Flaxman was never a partner but was employed as the firm's designer and made models and drawings for many of the firms important commissions
Having been appointed, in 1797, as one of the goldsmiths to King George III the firm were regular suppliers to the Royal Family. For example the Prince of Wales ordered a service of silver-gilt plate of sufficient size and importance for use on State occasions. The Prince of Wales State plate was shown in an exhibit held for three days of every week during the spring of 1807. Invitation was by ticket only.
"All the Rich, the great and Noble of the Land flocked to see the display of the Grand Service. Their carriages blocked Ludgate Hill until seven o'clock each evening."
It was not until after Paul Storr had left the firm in 1819 that Philip Rundell entered his own mark, though he retired soon after, in 1823. He died four years later leaving a phenomenal personal fortune of around £1,500,000 to his nephew, Joseph Neeld, (who in turn bequeathed his wealth to Queen Victoria). Rundell's workshop continued operating up until the death of John Bridge in 1834. Thereafter the firm continued to commission silver from other manufacturers until it finally closed in 1843.