AN IRISH PROVINCIAL SILVER SAUCE BOAT, Cork 1935, mark of William Egan, of helmet form, with applied 's' scroll handle, the body chased and embossed to one side with wolf motif surrounded by...

AN IRISH PROVINCIAL SILVER SAUCE BOAT, Cork 1935, mark of William Egan, of helmet form, with applied 's' scroll handle, the body chased and embossed to one side with wolf motif surrounded by foliage and fruiting vines, and to the other with sea serpent amongst leafy motifs, with central cartouche, and fluting and beading to the underside, raised on shell capped hoof feet, (c.3.5ozs). 14.5cm wide over handle and spout

Between July and September 1922, whilst Cork was in the hands of the Anti-Treaty forces, William Egan and Sons found it difficult to send items of silver to Dublin for assay and hallmarking as required by the law. In order that production could continue, the firms principal had three punches made and applied these during the said period.

Following the resumption of normal conditions, the firm destroyed the punches. However, other Cork marks were used by the firm of Egan, usually in conjunction with, but occasionally instead of, Dublin hallmarks in the 1920s and 1930s, in order to mark their work as different to the standard work of the metropolis.

On this lot offered for sale, the Cork town mark has been used in conjunction with both Egans mark and the Dublin hallmark.

John R. Bowen and Conor OBrien, 2005. Cork Silver and Gold, Four Centuries of Craftsmanship. The Collins Press, Wilton, Cork. p.16

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