Lot 63: Queen Victoria Sterling Silver Presentation Urn

Important Elkington Sterling Silver Urn, presented by Queen Victoria to her daughter, Princess Helena in 1891, as a wedding anniversary gift. The vase is of classical form with stepped lip, over a body with repousse floral decoration surrounding the inscription, TO CHRISTIAN AND HELENA, IN RECOLLECTION OF THEIR SILVER WEDDING, FROM THEIR AFFECTIONATE MAMA, VICTORIA R I, JULY 5, 1891. The body is flanked by reeded handles terminating in foliate mounts, and has a ribbed lower column with repousse leaf and bud decoration, atop a weighted base with circular foot.  Hallmarked at base for Elkington & Co., Birmingham, with date mark for 1876 or 1882,  and with lion passant and same date mark to underside of base.  The original cover to the vase has been modified for later conversion to a lamp and is not shown in the main image. Vase: 12 1/2 in. H x  8 1/2 in. W (at handles) x 5 1/2 in. D. Weighted. Note: Princess Helena Augusta Victoria and Prince Frederick Christian Charles Augustus, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, wed on July 5, 1866 at Windsor Castle. They were both the great great grandchildren of English George III. The couple were married for 51 years until Prince Christian’s death in 1917,  Princess Helena died in 1923. This vase is one a pair -both originally including covers- given to the couple for their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary (for which silver is a traditional gift). The pair of vases were acquired in the late 1940s or early 1950s by Harry Clarke Thompson for his historic Virginia home, Upper Brandon Plantation and upon his death, divided between his two daughters. This one went to his daughter Eliot (aka Patsy Ann) Thompson. At some point, likely in the mid 20th century, the present urn was made into a lamp, with a drop-in cylinder attached to the cover, which was modified for wiring. The other lamp was sold at Heritage Auctions April 12, 2016 (lot 74130) and did not include a lid. 

PROVENANCE: The collection of Dr. Lewis Pendleton Armistead of Nashville, by descent from his mother, Eliot Thompson Armistead.

CONDITION: The vase originally had a cover, which is still present and included with this lot, but it has been modified to accommodate a cylinder with wiring for a lamp; there was likely originally a finial which is no longer present. The electrical apparatus is no longer functional. The main vase remains intact and is in very good condition with a few minor dents and some scratches, most notably to the foot.