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Cape silver coffeepot by Frans Hillegers, c. 1790.
(SACHM71/50)
Russian silver
bowl decorated with cloisonne enamel. (SACHM70/413)
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Of special interest is the silver collection, especially the Cape
silver. The Heller Collection of Cape Silver consists of hollowware
and flatware made by all the best-known silversmiths working at the
Cape during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Covered sugar
bowls with corded handles and decorative finials are among the prettiest
items on display. Apart from European silver, there are also silver
items from Malaysia and Russia.
There are several interesting items of Cape commemorative silver including
a tumbler cup made by D. H. Schmidt which belonged to Colonel R. J.
Gordon, commander of the Dutch garrison at the Cape from 1780 until
1795. The Trafalgar Vase, made by Benjamin Smith and presented to
Major General Sir David Baird by Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund for the
capture of the Cape of Good Hope on 18 January 1806, is of particular
significance to those concerned with the history of the Second British
Occupation.
The Cape of Good Hope Vice-Admiralty Oar made by William Frisbee,
London, 1806, was a powerful symbol of maritime jurisdiction from
1806 until 1890. Comparable to a great mace, the oar was intended
as a sign of authority possessed by the Admiralty courts to arrest
persons and vessels in respect of all manners of maritime disputes.
The Vice Admiralty Court sat in the building known as the
Slave Lodge
from 1828 to 1890 when the court was abolished and the oar became
the possession of Lord J. H. De Villiers, the last judge of the Vice
Admiralty Court.
The Woutersen Vase made by the Cape silversmith, Willem Godfried Lotter,
circa 1826. Lotter was assisted by Joseph Arrowsmith in the engraving
and possibly the design of the piece. The vase was presented by a
group of Cape citizens and slave owners to Pieter Woutersen, a member
of the Burgher Senate, for his efforts in trying to keep intact the
institution of slavery. In 1826 Ordinance no. 19 had been passed which
was part of an attempt by the British colonial government at amelioration
and improvement of the living conditions of slaves.
The slave owners considered these laws an infringement of their rights
and Woutersen championed the slave owners’ cause in the Burgher
Senate. Amelioration, however, won the day.
Most of the above-mentioned pieces are on display in the
Slave Lodge.
There are also items in storage. |
