Arts & Crafts cake stand/display table by Townshends of Birmingham with copper acanthus leaf pattern, 1890`s English.
This antique stand has been gently cleaned while respecting the aged patina; it is ready to use.
This unique Arts & Crafts piece is stamped on the underside: `TOWNSHENDS LTD REGISTERED TRADEMARK ACANTHUS No 179131`. The ‘Acanthus’ trade mark was used after 1894 for the production of the distinctive pattern on copper sheet as featured in this piece.
This piece
exemplifies the ideals and techniques of the Arts & Crafts Movement; all the components were made and put together by hand. The metal frame & leaves have a hammered finish, riveted details and organic form. The honest design, executed in wrought iron & hammered copper, make this stand suitable for a range of interiors such as Art Deco, Antique, Hollywood Regency, Traditional, Country, Contemporary or Industrial. It could also work as a side drinks table or plant stand.
The design is substantial and has sculptural presence. It consists of a wrought iron tripod frame painted black with two tier shelves shaped as acanthus leaves in solid copper. The ironwork is of great quality. The top handle is finished as an oversized spiral and curls to a point. The three legs twist twice along the way to the feet which are finished with an inward rolled.
The top tier is made by a horizontal triangular structure riveted to the three legs. On top there is a solid copper tray, a trio of acanthus leaves. This tray is bolted to the frame with three decorative brass screws with round metal nuts on the underside. The maker`s stamp is present on the underside of one of the trio of leaves.
The bottom tier is a single solid copper acanthus leaf fitted to a 3 arm metal frame. Again there are 3 decorative brass screws with round metal nuts on the underside.
The handmade craftmanship of the leaves is of great quality. The solid copper surfaces are hammered, embossed & textured on both sides. The edges of the tray are raised to help keep the trays rigid, a key feature of the Acanthus design.
This antique display stand is in very good condition for its age. The antique patina has been preserved. The complete structure has a good weight and is very stable. The trays sit firm and at level, allowing to place on top objects or drinking glasses. There are minor marks & patina to the metal as in the photographs. Probably the black paint has been retouched in places over the years. The copper leaves are in very good condition with no cracks or loses. All the original brass screws are present, and most of the rivets are original, two under the big tray`s metal frame appear to be old screw replacements.
Additional dimensions:
Each copper leaf alone is: Width: 21 cm, Depth: 21 cm.
Packing is offered free of charge. We take special professional care with packing. For safe transport the item will be wrapped in bubble wrap, foam and an outer layer of card. It would then easily fit into a box with loose cushioning for secure shipping with a courier. We ship with reliable couriers (signed for, tracked & insured).
MAIN DELIVERY CHARGES:
Within London (UK): £ Free
UK Mainland: £ 85
European Union: £ 140
United States/Canada: £ 300
Japan: £ 310
Australia: £ 490
Rest of the World please enquire.
TOWNSHENDS LTD ART METAL Co. ENGLAND HISTORY
Townshends Ltd (T & Co) was the name used from circa 1890 when the Company started production, then Townshend Art Metal Co. It started production in Earnest St, Holloway Head, Birmingham as a quality brass foundry, and producing copper and brass art metalware such as holloware and tableware for up-market retailers. After WWI the company shift to the production of industrial heaters.
The ‘Acanthus’ trade mark was used only for a short-lived period after 1894 for the production of the distinctive pattern on copper sheet. This metal was significantly harder than most previously used. It was hard rolled and pre-patterned while flat with the registered `Acanthus` design before fabrication by stamping and pressing. The most common products found are trays of various shapes with distinctive heavily deckled edges. The edges of the trays were attractively raised to help keep the trays rigid. The shapes of the trays were both decorative and functional.
The sheet was also used for the production of fireguards, gongs, cake stands, crumb trays, pipe racks, jardinières and candle sconces. The registered design numbers, in this case
No 179131,
are present in the British National Archive.
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