Gilbert Collection of Gold and Silver (New)

Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles County Museum, 1988. First Edition. Hardcover. New/New. Illustrated. New copy. Philanthropists Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert passionately amassed what was probably the finest private collection of goldsmiths' work in the world. Early on they concentrated on Georgian silver-in particular 18th- and early 19th-century works by English masters Paul de Lamerie and Paul Storr-and later broadened the collection to survey English and Continental goldsmith's work from the Renaissance to the Victorian era. This 1988 volume is from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where pieces from the Gilbert Collection were displayed before Arthur donated them to his native Britain. It catalogs 175 exquisite items, from a very rare Tudor silver-gilt casting bottle, with tiny dragons holding its chain handle, to an enormous cup with scenes and figures commemorating the life of Lafayette, presented to his son George Washington Lafayette after his father's death. Here too are a collection of elegant German tankards; a cup carved from a coconut to look like a somewhat pudgy hawk, with jewels and silver wings; and a 17th-century wager cup shaped like a maiden, which was later fitted with a clockwork mechanism under her skirt so she could roll along the table. Many are seen in color plates; all are shown in a large main view with smaller detail views of noteworthy features and the smith's marks, and their provenance and construction are thoroughly described. Retail price is $125.00. New copy in original new slipcase. Textured end papers. Illustrated. 688pp., index. Full refund if not satisfied. (Due, to the large size of the book, additional shipping funds may be required.)