"Nursery Rhyme Vinaigrettes" by Matthew Linwood

'Mary Mary Quite Contrary' 'Little Miss Muffet' 'Little Boy Blue'

In a previous Newsletter I described Matthew Linwood of Birmingham, silversmith and "Boxmaker", as a name from the early 19th century silver trade that shouted quality. His workshop produced some of the finest of all the Birmingham boxes and, with an undoubted contribution from his many skilled workers and outworkers, his memorial is certainly a beauty and ingenuity of craftsmanship.

He is perhaps best known for the Admiral Lord Nelson silver Vinaigrettes, which portray on the lid, the Hero of Trafalgar in his characteristic pose with the sleeve pinned up and the motto 'England expects every man will do his duty'. The internal die-stamped silver gilt grilles depicting the ship Victory.

Constructed in a very similar way with intricate die-stamped grilles and the hand engraved scenes on the lid in a vertical rather than horizontal attitude, are the so called "Nursery Rhyme" series of Vinaigrettes produced by Matthew Linwood in the early 19th century.

I would suggest that these rare Nursery Rhyme Vinaigrettes are in fact scarcer than the perhaps more famous and certainly more expensive Nelson examples. I currently have three from the series in stock.

Featured Item

An extremely rare mid 18th century Battersea enamel on copper Wine Label for BOURGOGNE, of large escutcheon form, engraved by Simon Francois Ravenet after a design by James Gwin. Painted with brightly coloured enamels and depicting a sensual figure of sleeping Venus, Cupid seated to one side drawing back sumptuous drapery. c1753 – 1756.

Once again I am pleased to be able to update the site this month with over 20 new items of stock and some highlights include; a rare Victorian Silver Castle-Top Vinaigrette depicting Weymouth Bay & Pier, a good quality pair of Modern Cast Silver Grouse Figures, a nice pair of Victorian Parcel Gilt Silver Berry or Fruit Spoons, a rare Victorian Silver Castle-Top Vinaigrette depicting the Port of Beirut in the Lebanon, a rare Victorian Silver & Enamel Golfing Vesta Case depicting Young Tom Morris, a Victorian Silver & Enamel 'Five Pound Note' Sovereign Case, a George III Exeter Provincial Silver Caddy Spoon and a nice quality Edwardian Silver & Enamel Flying Mallard Vesta Case.