Jewellery, Watches, Silver and Objects of Vertu

A Britannia silver red wine goblet, by Louis Osman, 1974, of faceted gently ovoid form, on square pedestal foot, with hammered finish, hallmarked for Britannia silver, London 1974 and with maker’s mark ‘LO’, goblet height 13.4cm. £800-£1,200


Please note ARR may apply to this lot (Artist’s Resale Rights).

This lot is to be sold as part of a special collection, Louis Osman: The Jenkins Family Collection.

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Collection

This goblet was originally purchased by James Smith - ‘Uncle James’, a close family friend of the Jenkins and godfather of the three children. Victoria, Claire and Toby,
It was one of a set designed by Louis for the Anglo-Swedish exhibition Modern British Silver and Jewels, in 1970. The precious metal refiners Johnson Matthey sponsored the exhibition, donating 500 ounces of silver to The Crafts Centre, London. 13 designers were then allocated 80 ounces each to create works for the exhibition. Louis produced a standing salt, dishes for traditional Swedish fish courses and a selection of goblets. Other exhibitors included Gerald Benney, John Donald, Gerda Flockinger and Tom Scott. The exhibition was shown first at The Crafts Centre of Great Britain, in London (now Contemporary Applied Arts) and then at the Handicrafts Office (Hantverkets lokaler), in Stockholm.
Matching champagne and wine goblets are held in the permanent collections of the Goldsmiths’ Company, London. In correspondence Louis makes reference to further whiskey, sherry and schnapps goblets he had made in the same suite.

Exhibited:
Modern British Silver and Jewels, held at The Crafts Centre, London and at the Hantverkets lokaler i Superellipsen vid Sergels torg, Stockholm, in February and May 1970.
Treasure of the 20th century, Silver, jewellery and art medals from the 20th Century Collection of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, held at Goldsmiths’ Hall, in 2000, no. 209.

An original pen and watercolour design for the three goblets was sold as part of The Personal Archive of Louis Osman at Noonans in March 2018 (lot 292). This design was also illustrated in the catalogue of The Observer Jewellery Exhibition, organised by the Welsh Arts Council, in 1973.


This lot is accompanied by further copies of related correspondence and press cuttings regarding the Stockholm exhibition, 1970 and the exhibition: Celebration - In gold and Silver at Goldsmiths’ Hall, 2002.

Please note catalogue amendment: this lot was a subsequently-made matching goblet to the original which was exhibited at the Anglo-Swedish exhibition. The Goldsmiths’ Hall 2002 catalogue will not be included with this lot.

Diameter at lip 54mm.
Square foot dimensions 49 x 49mm.
Weight 307gm.

This lot is accompanied by a photocopy of a hand written valuation by Osman, dated 10 August 1976 for Mr J. A. Smith, Esq. for the three silver goblets; and copies of press cuttings relating to the Stockholm exhibition of 1970 and copies of paperwork relating to the exhibition: Celebration - In gold and silver, at Goldsmiths’ Hall, 2002.