Centrepiece
Category
Metalwork
Date
1869
Materials
Silvered glass, Tin
Measurements
560 mm (Height)
Order this imageCollection
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
NT 885174
Caption
Cornwall is famed for its tin production and the Agar-Robartes family had significant mine holdings. So when a presentation piece was commissioned for the family when they endowed a miners' hospital - tin seemed the ideal choice of material!
Summary
Presentation centrepiece/epergne of Cornish tin in the form of an oasis with camel and arab at rest under a palm tree, on a flat mirror base with a design of vine leaves and grapes. There is an inscription saying that this was presented to the Robartes family in 1869 by the miners of Redruth. Palm frond missing. With glass dish.
Provenance
This centrepiece was given by the 7th Viscount Clifden to the National Trust with the house in 1953. In 1869 it was presented to his grandparents by the miners of Redruth and the neighbourhood for establishing and supporting the Miners's Infirmary at Redruth.
Marks and inscriptions
Presented to T.J. Agar-Robartes esq and Mrs Robartes of Lanhydrock by the working miners of Redruth and neighbourhood in grateful acknowledgement of their kindness in establishing and supporting for the last five years the Miner's Infirmary at Redruth, 1869