1880's English Antique Aesthetic Movement Cake Stand/Display Table by Townshend of Birmingham, Copper Acanthus Leaf Pattern & Bamboo Effect Brass

Description

Antique Aesthetic Movement/Arts & Crafts cake stand/display table by Townshend of Birmingham with copper acanthus leaf pattern & bamboo effect … more Antique Aesthetic Movement/Arts & Crafts cake stand/display table by Townshend of Birmingham with copper acanthus leaf pattern & bamboo effect brass, 1880`s ca, English.

This antique stand has been gently cleaned while respecting the aged patina and it is ready to use.

This unique Antique Aesthetic Movement handcrafted piece is of similar form, quality & details as others we have had in stock in the past including stamped signed examples. Although we could not find a stamp mark on this piece, with the trademark Acanthus pattern on copper sheet it is highly likely this stand is from Townshend and Thompson (Townshends Ltd). The ‘Acanthus’ trade mark stamp was used only for a short-lived period after 1894 for the production of the distinctive pattern on copper sheet so this piece could well be an earlier example. It is also a very rare piece because the frame is in solid brass with a bamboo effect instead of being made in wrought iron, as most examples produced by the Company.

This piece exemplifies the ideals and techniques of the Arts & Crafts Movement with a strong Aesthetic influence. All the components were made & assembled by hand. The leaves have a hammered finish, riveted details and organic form. The honest design, executed in brass & copper make it an impressive addition to a range of interiors such as Art Deco, Antique, Hollywood Regency, Traditional, Country, Contemporary or Industrial. It could also work as a side drinks table or plant stand.

In the late 19th Century, the poppy and its biproduct opium altered artists’ perceptions of the world, with an extreme attention to detail, and played an important role in the Aesthetic Movement.

The design is substantial and has sculptural presence. It consists of a solid brass tripod frame textured with a delicate bamboo pattern and two tier shelves shaped as acanthus leaves in solid copper. The metal work is of great quality. The sinuous top handle is an extension of one of the bamboo legs, finished as an oversized curl with a poppy flower at the end. The design of the poppy is of exquisite detailed craftsmanship: the outside petals in copper and the central petals in brass. The three solid brass bamboo effect legs have a crisp naturalistic casting and are finished with brass ball at the bottom.

The top tier is made by a horizontal triangular black iron structure screwed to the three brass legs. On top there is a solid copper tray, a trio of acanthus leaves. This tray is riveted to the iron structure.

The bottom tier is a single solid copper acanthus leaf riveted to a 3 arm iron frame, which is crewed to the brass bamboo frame.

The handmade craftmanship of the leaves is of great quality. The solid copper surfaces are hammered, embossed & textured. The edges of the tray are raised to help keep the trays rigid, a key feature of the Townsend`s Acanthus design.

This antique display stand is in very good condition for its age. The warm antique patina has been preserved on the metal adding character, although probably it has been lightly cleaned in the past. The complete structure has a good weight and is very stable with no damages or missing parts. The trays sit firm and are quite levelled in certain areas, allowing to place on top objects or drinking glasses. The copper leaves are in very good condition with no cracks or loses. All the original screws are present, and the rivets are all original. There are minor marks, rubbing & patina to the metal in line with age & wear, as expected for an antique piece.

Additional dimensions:

Each copper leaf alone is: Width: 21 cm, Depth: 20 cm.

The space between shelves is 25 cm.

Packing is offered free of charge. We take special professional care with packing. For safe transport the item will be wrapped in bubble wrap, foam and an outer layer of card. It would then easily fit into a box with loose cushioning for secure shipping with a courier. We ship with reliable couriers (signed for, tracked & insured).

TAXES & DUTIES

Please note that the shipping cost advertised here also includes all US destination import duties & local taxes as required by Chairish, so we will ship from the United Kingdom to USA this item DTP (Duties & Taxes Paid).

TOWNSHENDS LTD ART METAL Co. ENGLAND HISTORY

Townshend and Thompson of Birmingham were brass founders during the 1880`s and the forerunner of Townshend and Company. It was a quality foundry of copper & brass art metalware such as holloware and tableware for up-market retailers. After WWI the Company shift to the production of industrial heaters.

The ‘Acanthus’ pattern was trademarked after 1894. This copper was hard rolled and pre-patterned while flat with the `Acanthus` design before fabrication by stamping and pressing. The most common products found are trays of various shapes with distinctive heavily deckled edges. The edges of the trays were attractively raised to help keep the trays rigid. The shapes of the trays were both decorative and functional. The sheet was also used for the production of fireguards, gongs, cake stands, crumb trays, pipe racks, jardinières and candle sconces. less