Accession Number

2009.003.001.008

Description

Part of an assembled 13-piece dresser set, this sterling silver-handled steel buttonhook has a cartouche on both sides of the handle, the front cartouche monogrammed "LMD" (for Laura Miller Dunsmuir) in engraved scrolling font, the remaining portions of the handle with ornate repousseed and embossed scrolled acanthus and floral decoration.

Narrative

This boot hook is part of a fine 13-piece silver dresser set assembled and owned by Laura Miller Dunsmuir (nee Surles). The set is unusually large and of very high quality. A Canadian woman of Mrs. Dunsmuir's wealth and social status during the Victorian and Edwardian eras would typically have had a dresser set similar to this one.

History of Use

This boothook is part of a fine 13-piece silver dresser set assembled and owned by Laura Miller Dunsmuir (nee Surles). She used it at her house Burleith, at Government House while her husband James served as Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and at her residence Hatley Park. After her death, it was passed down through her descendents until acquired by The Castle Society.

Date

1900 – 1910

Dimensions

23 x 2.5 cm

Material

Metal, silver; Metal, steel

Technique

Engraved; Embossed; Repoussed

School/Style

rococo revival

Inscription

engraved LMD (for Laura Miller Dunsmuir); stamped STERLING 476