$1,599
Gorham Gem- and Micromosaic-set Gold-washed Sterling Silver Morse, Providence, Rhode Island, 1899, special order number 8695, in three finely-chased sections, the central reticulated panel mounted with a circular micromosaic medallion depicting the bust of a winged putto surrounded by stylized foliage set with faceted colorless paste, flanked by two smaller hinged panels set with large citrines, mounted with further paste, and design of budding flowers, the reverse inscribed "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of John Neill 11 December 1898," wd. 9, ht. 4 1/2 in., approx. 9.3 total troy oz. N.B. John Neill was a lay deputy of St. Clement's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who died on December 11, 1898. The morse appears to have been a gift to the church in his memory. A letter from Samuel J. Hough of the Owl at the Bridge accompanies the lot. In it Hough states that the Gorham costing slip indicates the company's Church Product Division completed the morse on May 17, 1899.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2014-04-05
