Bidspirit auction | Late Victorian Sterling Silver Photograph

Late Victorian Sterling Silver Photograph Frame – William Comyns, London 1900 – Cherubs and Heart-Shaped Aperture - A late Victorian English tabletop photograph frame by the renowned silversmith William Comyns, London, 1900. The sterling silver front is richly embossed, repoussé and pierced with winged cherubs, some depicted with musical instruments, surrounded by dense scrolling foliage, flowers and elaborate ornamental motifs. The upper section features a vacant cartouche intended for a monogram, while the photograph aperture is formed as a heart. The design combines Rococo Revival and Baroque-inspired elements and is characteristic of the highly decorative silverwork produced by William Comyns around the turn of the 20th century. Bearing partially worn London hallmarks: leopard’s head for the London Assay Office; lowercase date letter e for 1900; and an additional heavily worn and distorted mark, apparently the lion passant denoting sterling silver, 925 fineness. The maker’s mark is not clearly legible in the photograph, but the attribution and date are supported by nearly identical documented William Comyns frames from 1900. Black fabric-covered reverse with folding easel support. Dimensions: 20 × 14 cm. Used condition consistent with age, including tarnishing, wear, scratches and localized imperfections to the silver front; wear and age-related marks to the reverse covering. Please examine the photographs for condition.