Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Presentation Cup & Cover 1909

Magnificent, fine and impressive, large antique Edwardian English sterling silver cup & cover; an addition to our antique presentation silverware collection. This magnificent and large antique Edwardian sterling silver presentation cup & cover has a campania shaped form onto a circular spreading pedestal foot. The lower bulbous portion of the silver cup is encircled with chased fluted ornamentation. Either side of the plain upper portion of the body is embellished with an exceptional and large applied ribbon tied laurel branch wreath, replicating the border of a classic cartouche. This impressive Edwardian presentation cup retains the impressive, original hallmarked push fit cover surmounted with an exceptional, fine and impressive cast sterling silver overlapping leaf and bud style finial. The rim of this substantial cover is encompassed with an impressive applied egg and dart decorated border. This antique cup and cover is fitted with two very impressive cast sterling silver handles modelled in the form of conjoined snakes, above a figural mask and Caduceus*. The pedestal is encompassed with a shaped alternating leaf decorated knop to the upper portion in junction with the body. The circular domed spreading foot is encircled with a further band of chased fluted ornamentation. Such large examples are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. * Caduceus (otherwise known as herald's staff) is a staff entwined with two serpents and surmounted by a pair of wings. This staff is carried by Hermes in Greek mythology and Mercury in Roman iconography; each figure is known for being a messenger. This classic symbol is a modern day depiction of commerce and is used as a symbol across the medical field in the United States of America. Maker: Johnson, Walker & Tolhurst Ltd Origin: London, England