Accession Number

2009.003.001.009a-b

Alternate Name

powder jar

Description

A sterling silver cosmetic jar (a) repousseed and embossed with a repeating pattern of acanthus leaves, one daisy and one rose, the cover (b) with a repousseed and embossed cherub surrounded by similarly tooled floral embellishments with scrolled acanthus leaf border around the outside of the cover, the inside of lid and jar gilded.

Narrative

This powder jar 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 powder jar 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

circa 1900

Dimensions

12.5 cm wide

Material

Metal, silver; Metal, gold

Technique

Embossed; Repoussed

School/Style

rococo revival

Inscription

on the jar: (a) STERLING; 925/1000 FINE;  1649; and the maker's mark for Mauser Manufacturing Co., New York; on the lid (b): 1649 and SHREVE & CO.

Country of Origin

United States of America