3-017-311 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Testimonial to Mr. W. Jackson, of Birkenhead, from the shareholders of the Florence and Pistoja [Pistoia] Railway, 1865. 'A magnificent silver dessert service...manufactured by Mr. Joseph Mayer...for presentation to Mr. William Jackson, M.P. for South Derbyshire...The gift consists of a plateau...ornamented with wreaths of laurel; on this stands a very beautiful centrepiece, with six fruit stands and two flower-stands. The centrepiece acts as a rose-water fountain, and, by a mechanical contrivance in the body of the piece, the water is made to flow from the jug into the cup held by a figure of Hebe, and thence into the two basins beneath, producing an effect at once pleasing and novel. At the base are seated two...river gods, emblematic of the Po and the Amo, rivers of North Italy. The fruit and flower stands are formed of richly-chased scrolls, supporting engraved and cut-glass dishes; and on the base of each are several beautifully-modelled figures - Psyche, Venus, and Circe - copied from the works of some of the most eminent Italian sculptors, thus giving an artistic and local interest to the entire composition. Accompanying the above pieces are two candelabra of nine branches, each richly chased in scrolls'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.