GA026 - Tempus Fugit: The Collection of George Gyori | Australian, Maritime & Exploration

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WILLIAM EDWARDS (LONDON, B. 1819 - ?)
An Australian Colonial sterling silver mounted
etched glass Presentation claret jug, circa 1875
the baluster body finely etched with a continuous
scene of two coursing hounds and a handler in
pursuit of a hare, the silver collar relief decorated
with a similar scene, flanked by a bold loop
handle modelled as an entwined branch
surmounted by a hound, the hinged cover with a
fern leaf and recumbent hare, with a shield form
plaque engraved ‘Mount Aitken Private Coursing
Meeting, the gift of G. Whittingham Esq., Won By D.
G. Clark’s Dog Telegraph, 31st August, 1875.’
30cm high
PROVENANCE
George Whittingham sponsored a large number of
Coursing events. The meeting, D.G. Clarke and his
dog Telegraph, are all mentioned in The Argus on
September 6, 1875
NOTE
The son of a London silversmith and a
manufacturing silversmith, Edwards came to
Australia in 1857. Until about 1872 he ran a business
in Melbourne which supplied silverware to major
retailers with some objects imported from the family
business in London. From around 1873 to 1892,
Edwards worked in partnership with Alexander
Kaul. William Edwards’ workshop excelled in the
production of silver-mounted emu egg trophies and
is credited with making the earliest surviving piece.
The firm produced a number of silver claret jugs
during the 1860s and 1870s which were made in
many variations including richly repousséd pieces
and even emu and ostrich egg variations.
$10,000–15,000
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