Accession Number

2017.007.001.001.005

Description

Sterling silver dinner fork with a crest of a bent arm in armor holding a dagger on the back above hallmarks. Hallmarked with a 'P' for 1835.

Narrative

This early 19^th century Irish sterling silver dinner fork is part of a larger set of early 19^th Century Irish cutlery donated to Craigdarroch Castle by a great great grandson of Robert and Joan Dunsmuir. The set is of very high quality and amongst the oldest objects in the Craigdarroch Castle Collection. Its connection to Guy Mortimer Audain and Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir (Mrs. Guy Audain) and their descendants makes it a significant addition to the collection that will aid in presenting the Dunsmuir story and Craigdarroch’s period interiors.

 

History of Use

This early 19^th century Irish sterling silver dinner fork belonged to the donor's grandfather, Guy Mortimer Audain (1864-1940) and grandmother, Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir (1878-1925) (Mrs. Guy Audain). Sarah was the eldest daughter of Hon. James and Laura Dunsmuir and granddaughter of Joan Dunsmuir of Craigdarroch. It was probably acquired when new by one of Guy Audain’s Anglo-Irish ancestors and used in Ireland until the early 20^th Century when Guy Audain became Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant Governor James Dunsmuir in 1906. The Audains used this and other silverware at the James and Laura Dunsmuir house named Burleith from 1906 to 1910, and then at their own house named Ellora, which still stands at 555 Foul Bay Road in Victoria.
 

Date

1835

Dimensions

3 cm x 3 cm x 21.5 cm

Material

Metal, silver, sterling

Country of Origin

Ireland