19th May, 2016 11:00

Design + Modern Art

 
Lot 317
 

317

Charles Robert Ashbee (British

Charles Robert Ashbee (British, 1863-1942) Twin handled cup inscribed 'To the ancient, from CRA, on the mournful occasion of his transition into matrimony, April 1893' loop handles, berry clusters and hammered finish 8.2cm high, 16.1cm across. The inscription is typical of the circle of gay friends that Ashbee made at Cambridge in the mid-1880s. 'The Ancient' refers to James Headlam, later Headlam-Morley, who was a contemporary and friend of Ashbee's at King's College, Cambridge who would later become a distinguished diplomat and historian. Headlam married the German musician Else Sonntag on 6 April 1893. Literature: Arts & Crafts Metalwork, Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House, 2003, p.54, catalogue no.57 for a similar slightly later example (1894) made by Ashbee & the Guild for Ethel Ginsbury. We would like to thank Alan Crawford for helping to catalogue this lot.

Sold for £1,500
Estimated at £800 - £1,200


 
Charles Robert Ashbee (British, 1863-1942) Twin handled cup inscribed 'To the ancient, from CRA, on the mournful occasion of his transition into matrimony, April 1893' loop handles, berry clusters and hammered finish 8.2cm high, 16.1cm across. The inscription is typical of the circle of gay friends that Ashbee made at Cambridge in the mid-1880s. 'The Ancient' refers to James Headlam, later Headlam-Morley, who was a contemporary and friend of Ashbee's at King's College, Cambridge who would later become a distinguished diplomat and historian. Headlam married the German musician Else Sonntag on 6 April 1893. Literature: Arts & Crafts Metalwork, Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House, 2003, p.54, catalogue no.57 for a similar slightly later example (1894) made by Ashbee & the Guild for Ethel Ginsbury. We would like to thank Alan Crawford for helping to catalogue this lot.

Auction: Design + Modern Art, 19th May, 2016

Design + Modern Art

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