Lot 1541

Description

Purves family crest metal die, impressed on a steel block (26x22x9.5mm), in a mirror image of the Purves clan crest, the sun rising out of the clouds and below the motto, 'Clarior e Tenebris' (Light out of Darkness), on the base of the block are the letters, 'EST' E starts right at edge so maybe 'TEST' and what appears to be a large E; a white metal impression (22mm) of a 'lion passant' on a circular brass base (38mm), maybe a test strike or a wax seal stamp; a brass name plate (100x31mm), with purpose made hole in middle near bottom edge, named, 'Charles' at left and 'Shard Esq' at right; a tortoise shell serviette ring, the top in the shape of a shield and affixed in the middle is another matching shaped shield in silver and inscribed thereon the monogram initials, 'RGS' (Robert Gemmel Smith); miniature tankard, on the side is inscribed, 'Jus/A/Nip', base marked, 'Perfection E.P.A.I' (electro plated - triple plated) . Fine - very fine. (5)

Ex the Estate of Eileen Allison Gemmell Smith (1922-2015), grand daughter of Charles Shard of Woollahra and James Liddell Purves of Melbourne. Eileen married Flt Lieut Robert Gemmel Smith RAF at All Saints' Church, Woollahra on 22 August 1945.



Vendor believes the tankard to have been purchased by James Liddell Purves at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition from the stand of the firm, Simpson Hall Miller & Co of Wallingford, Connecticut, USA, users of the Perfection trade mark.