This Republican Silver strawberry dish will feature at Woodwards auction on April 6. (click to enlarge)
A Cork Republican Silver strawberry dish is to be the centrepiece of the Woodwards spring auction on April 6. The rarity of Cork Republican Silver is such that only about 60 to 80 pieces are thought to have been made.
All were fashioned during the Irish Civil War period from July to September 1922. The Irish Civil War was raging and communication between the cities of Cork and Dublin was cut off. Cork was held by Republicans, Dublin by the Free State troops.
The Republican Silver mark.
Unable to send their silver to the Assay Office in Dublin yet determined to keep their silversmiths employed the venerable Cork firm of William Egan and Sons made their own stamp The firm had marks engraved, one a castle and the other a ship. It was not unlike the marks used by Cork silversmiths in the 17th and 18th centuries and not too dissimilar to the Coat of Arms of the City of Cork.
Silver made at this time in Cork was stamped with these marks and the initials of the firm, “WE”. When the situation became more normal and communications were restored Egans destroyed the Republican marks.
Woodwards will offer a Republic Silver strawberry dish, with the sides fluted in thirteen panels with wavy rims, bearing these Republican marks. The dish is eight and a quarter inches in diameter and weighs ten ounces. It is estimated to make 15,000-20,000 euro.
UPDATE: It was bid up to 9,500, now under negotiation.