A silver beaker by Charles Ashbee for the Guild of Handicraft

Price range: £3,650

For sale is this very good Guild of Handicraft silver beaker set with light purple amethyst into a repousse organic design.  The pattern and stones are repeated three times around the body of the beaker. The design appears to be a stylized “tree of life” combined with peacock feather , somewhat in the Glasgow School style and also reminiscent of some of Voysey’s metalwork.  Unusually the beaker is also set to the base with a Queen Anne 1707 coin.  Presumably a personal commission and a common feature of early 18th century drinking vessels that inspired Ashbee, though not ofgen seen in Ashbee’s own work.

Fully hallmarked for 1902. The beaker is a good size and is very nice “in the hand”.  A great example of the Guild’s work and a rare find.  Condition is excellent with just some rubbing to the GofH Ltd mark.

Maker:  Guild of Handicraft Ltd
Designer: Charles Ashbee (attrib)
Date : 1902
Marks: GofH Ltd, London, date letter “g”
Material: Sterling silver, amethyst
Condition: Excellent
Size: 11 cm tall, 8.25 cm diameter
Weight : 7.1 oz, 200 grams