OLD SILVER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 26, 25 October 1918, Page 3

OLD SILVER

COLLECTION AT JI'GEEGOB

Those interested in old silver _ should not miss the opportunity of seeing the collection which was secured in England by Mr. F. V. Eaymond, of Chnstchnrcli, now on view in M'Gregor Wright s window on Lambton Quay. Probably never before has there been seen in Wellington such a fine display of silver goods from the hands of the most ekilful silversmiths of England. One yachting cup in the collection commands the eye at once. It is a graceful silver cup of chasto design and simple yet beaiititul lines, which was presented by tho late Queen Victoria to the Royal "iacht Club in 1878, nnd was, according to tho inscription it bears, won by the yacht Cyfchera, owned by Mr. Richardson. Tho cup is panelled in."low relief, ono bein" a representation of a fleet of yachts with all canvas set. The cup has a silver lid, massive and ornate, but tins may bo removed, and replaced with a cut-glass lamp. It is said that tho cup used to figure on tho table at Royal Yacht Club dinnors, and that when the lamp was lit it was taken as a signal that smoking could be indulged in. Inere is also a large champagne or claret bowl bearing the arms el' the Duke of Bucclcugli, and another great bowl, with handles on either side, which may have been used as a punch-bowl. There are a pair of exquisitely-wrought fruit stands; two silver busts of the late Queen Victoria, and somo plain cups and silver ornaments all worth inspection. These articles were eecured by Mr. Raymond at Red Cross 6ales in London in tho early stages of tho war. The exhibition will bo open to the public again to-day.