Accession Number

2017.001.001.001

Description

One oak case with a brass shield shaped plate embedded in the centre of the lid. The key hole at the front probably once had a brass escutcheon that is missing. The case is lined with green crushed velvet. The interior has slots for the forks on the lid with a flap that holds them in place. Slots for knives are raised off the bottom of the case allowing for additional storage underneath.

Narrative

This 24-piece desert set with oak case was first owned and used by Dunsmuir descendant John William Bryden (1869-1953) and his wife Ellen Gertrude Tarbell (1882-1964) and was passed down through the family until it was acquired by The Castle Society. This high-quality set was added to the museum’s collection to aid in the presentation of the Dunsmuir-era at Craigdarroch.
 

History of Use

This desert set with oak case was first owned and used by Dunsmuir descendant John William Bryden (1869-1953) and his wife Ellen Gertrude Tarbell (1882-1964). They used it at their Oak Bay B.C. residence at 899 Transit Road and subsequently at their waterfront house in Royston, Vancouver Island (near Cumberland and Courtenay). It was then inherited by their son Gerald Robert Bryden (1913-1992) of Royston, and then by his daughter in Campbell River, from whom it was acquired by The Castle Society.

Date

circa 1896

Dimensions

4.5 x 30.5 x 24 cm

Material

Wood, oak; Fabric, silk, velvet

Technique

Quarter-sawn; Varnished