Bowl

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silver-gilt bowl, by George Wickes in1744/45, the refined artistry of mid-18th-century Britishversmithing from London. Wickes, a prominent goldsmith of his era, produced luxurious metalwork for the elite, and this piece bears his distinctive maker's mark. Measuring just 3 × 6 3/8 inches (7.6 × 16.2 cm), its compact form suggests it served as elegant tableware or a decorative centrepiece, perfect for intimate gatherings in Georgian households. The medium of silver-gilt—fine silver coated with a thin layer of gold via electroplating or fire-gilding—lent a radiant, jewel-like shee...