FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY Commemorating William Shakespeare (1564-1616) A Unique Group Of Four Works of Art Each carved from the Mulberry Tree planted by Shakespeare at his last home New Place, Stratford upon Avon The tree felled by the irascible The Rev. Francis Gastrell, 1756, prior to his demolition of New Place in 1759 By or Attributed to Thomas Sharp and John Marshall An oval tea caddy, circa 1760; A silver gilt lined covered cup, 1812; A pedestal goblet, 1867; and A pedestal goblet, circa 1860 Together with an associated carved oak goblet, 1858, by John Marshall, and a lithograph print with inscription by John Marshall, 1868
Provenance: The Collection of the Late Robin Wigington Antiquary and Antique Dealer His Private Museum Poet’s Arbour, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire
THE STORY OF SHAKESPEARE’S MULBERRY TREE AND RELATED SOUVENIR WARES Pinto (Edward H.): Treen and other Wooden Bygones ‘Items carved from Shakespeare’s mulberry tree first appear around 1760/1765, with the known fact that the irascible Rev. Francis Gastrell cut down the famous tree in 1756, and time obviously had to be allowed for seasoning it. Shakespeare died in 1616 and the house and the tree became such objects of veneration and attracted so many callers, that the Rev. Gastrell, the 18th-century owner of New Place, became increasingly incensed. As the cutting down of the tree did not decrease the number of visitors, the small-minded cleric demolished the house in 1759. Although so anti-tourist, the Rev. Gastrell had no objection to cashing in on the commercial value of the wood, which he sold to various carvers and turners, anxious to make souvenirs. The principal purchasers were Thomas Sharp, William Hurdis Harborne, William Hunt, local carvers and general wood craftsmen and a Mr. Pierce; the last was an ivory turner and jeweller. A number of varied objects certified by Thomas Sharp as made from the tree, have survived; most of them are elaborately carved and they include small caskets, tea caddies, toothpick cases, goblets, snuff boxes, tobacco stoppers, sugar tongs, etc.’ This is how Edward Pinto, in his seminal book on treen, describes the story surrounding Shakespeare’s Mulberry Tree. Little has been added to this account in recent years and only a very few objects carved from the Mulberry Tree have surfaced on the international market. Following the destruction of New Place in 1759, Gastrell was forced to leave Stratford “amidst the rage and curses of the inhabitants”. Ten years later, local pride found expression in the Shakespeare Jubilee of 1769. The original impulse was due to John Payton, the landlord of the ‘White Lion’, a genuine enthusiast and a friend of the Shakespearian editor, George Alexander Steevens. In 1768, when Steevens was staying at the ‘White Lion’, Payton invited some of his friends among the leading inhabitants to meet him. The new Town Hall was then just finished and it was regretted ‘that an open niche had been constructed on the north side of it without any prospect of obtaining a statue or even a bust to grace it’. A statue of Shakespeare was suggested as the most fitting adornment and Steevens offered to persuade David Garrick (1717-1779) to present one. The corporation seconded his endeavours by conferring on Garrick the freedom of the borough in a box made from the wood of Shakespeare’s mulberry tree. This led Garrick not only to present a statue of Shakespeare, but to come and organise a Shakespearian festival at Stratford. At this period of ‘bardolatry’, lead by figures such as Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) and Garrick, objects fabricated from this wood were much prized. The writer, George Keate (who had made the presentation to Garrick) was in turn given an inkstand made from the tree. Examples of pieces bearing the stamp of either George Cooper or Thomas Sharp are known.
The potential for fraud did not go unrecognised. In his play The Jubilee, Garrick presents a tinker selling ‘Toothpick cases, needle cases, punch ladles, tobacco stoppers, inkstands, nutmeg graters and all sorts of boxes made out of the famous Mulberry Tree’, who is challenged by a second trader with the accusation that ‘His goods are made of old chairs and stools and colored to cheat gentlefolks with’ (Plays, Carbondale and Edwardsville, Illinois: 1980-1982, I, iii, 69-71 and 75-6). Nonetheless, Garrick possessed various pieces manufactured from the wood (and even purchased blocks of timber for himself), thus helping to give these artefacts a genuine and lasting association with the revival of national interest in Shakespeare. John Marshall was another local carver who established a business carving ‘relics’, he not only obtained wood from the mulberry tree, but expanded the volume of his production by acquiring other timber with direct association to Shakespeare. He was employed on the renovation of Shakespeare’s Birthplace and removed sections of “damaged” timber during the repair process as well as obtaining timber when New Place was demolished.
I A very rare carved mulberry wood Shakespeare commemorative tea caddy Of oval form, circa 1780, the carving of exceptional quality and of a rich fine patination, stamped to the underside of the lid “Shakespeare’s Wood – Sharp – Stratford-on-Avon” and again to the rim either side of the lock “Shakespeare’s Wood – Sharp – Stratford-on-Avon”. The lid with a central raised profile of Shakespeare’s face, within two entwined branches of leaves and fruiting mulberry to a punched ground within a guilloche carved border, the lower section intricately carved below the lid with a zig zag and floret frieze over a punched ground, decorated to the front below the lock with a falcon argent supporting a spear (The Shakespeare family coat of arms) and to the reverse below the hinge with a spear on a shield (The Shakespeare family crest), both within entwined twin mulberry branches with leaves and fruit. The slightly protruding base carved with a guilloche and rope border. (Minor loss to lock area, with brass hinge and lock plate and steel lock pin) Width 5 ½ ins (14cm) Height 4 3/8 ins (11cm) Max Depth 3 5/8 ins (9.2cm) Thomas Sharp, Stratford upon Avon Thomas Sharp was an enterprising Stratford silversmith, clock and gun maker and was one of the original purchasers of the mulberry tree, he took over the business of the carver George Cooper, who was born in Stratford in 1720. Cooper is mentioned by the Antiquarian John Jordan in his later account of the mulberry tree story. He includes Cooper’s name amongst the buyers of the uprooted mulberry tree and states “he was a poor joiner of Stratford whose curiosity excited him to work what little he was able to purchase into toys such as tea chests, boxes and tobacco stoppers, etc., some of which were prettily carved”. It is likely that the majority of the mulberry wood carvings bearing Sharp’s stamp were in fact executed by Cooper.
I A very rare carved mulberry wood Shakespeare commemorative tea caddy
II A carved mulberry wood Shakespeare commemorative goblet Of impressive proportions and deep patination, stamped to the base “J. Marshall – Carver – Stratford-on-Avon” and dated “1867”. The circular foot carved with the inscription “Shakespeare’s Mulberry Wood From New Place” below a carved leaf band and turned pedestal with carved knop, the bowl deeply carved to one side with a head and shoulder bust profile of William Shakespeare, within an oval strapwork cartouche, to the other side with the arms and crest of the Shakespeare family and motto “Non Sanz Droict” (Not Without Right), both on a punched ground divided by carved mulberry leaves and fruits, all below a carved inscription on a raised band “He Lived Not For An Age But For All Time” below an everted rim. Height 8 6/8 ins (21.7cm) Diameter at base 4 1/8 ins (10.5cm) Diameter at top 3 7/8 ins (9.5cm) John Marshall, Carver, Chapel Street, Stratford upon Avon John Marshall was a carver and antiquarian in Stratford upon Avon, who, after the destruction of Shakespeare’s family home by its owner, the Rev. Francis Gastrell in 1759, used wood from the property and in this case the mulberry tree, to create carved artefacts for his shop. The inscription “He Lived Not......” are the words of Shakespeare’s friend and rival playwright Ben Johnson who wrote “To The Memory of My beloved The Author” for the First Folio of 1623.
II A carved mulberry wood Shakespeare commemorative goblet
III A fine Shakespeare carved mulberry wood commemorative twin handled cup and cover With silver gilt lining, stamped to the internal dome of the foot “Sharp”, the lining to the body and lid hallmarked for Sheffield, 1812 and “I. R. And Co.” for John Roberts, Samuel Moseley and John Settle, Sheffield – the company changing its mark in 1813 and registering as Roberts, Clayton and Emory. The domed circular foot with carved bands below a baluster body carved to one side with a falcon argent supporting a spear (The Shakespeare family coat of arms) to the other with a spear on a shield (The Shakespeare family crest), each within twin entwined branches of fruiting mulberry on a punched ground and flanked by carved twin scroll handles below a silver rim mount, the cover carved with fruiting mulberry branches below a finial carved with a bust of Shakespeare, the internal body and underside of the lid lined in silver gilt, both bearing complete sets of hallmarks. Height 7 ½ ins (19cm) Diameter of lid 3 ½ ins (8.8cm) At the extremities of the handles 6 ½ ins (16.5cm) See footenote at (I). Silver mounted, or in this case lined goblets are amongst the rarest and most prized of the mulberry tree objects produced. Although Sharp is recognised as a silversmith, his production was limited and he does not appear to have registered his own mark, in this instance preferring to have the piece assayed in Sheffield rather than Birmingham, the latter one assumes would have been the more convenient option. The change of the marker’s mark dates this cup and cover to a very precise period. “The Catalogue of Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art and Relics at Present Exhibited in Shakespeare’s Birthplace 1910” lists just one silver mounted piece by Sharp. No. 175 Goblet 7” x 3”, made and carved circa 1760 by Thos. Sharp – bust – lined and tipped in silver “And that I love the tree from whence thou sprangst witness of the loving kiss” (King Henry VI Act 5 Scene 7)
III A fine Shakespeare carved mulberry wood commemorative twin handled cup and cover
IV A carved mulberry wood Shakespeare commemorative goblet Of impressive proportions and deep patination Attributed to J. Marshall, carver, Stratford on Avon, undated but circa 1860 The circular foot carved around the edge “We shall not look upon his like again” (from Hamlet), below two leaf carved bands, the turned stem with leaf carved knop, the bowl deeply carved with the effigy of Shakespeare from his tomb over a curved band inscribed “Shakespeare” to the other side, with a falcon argent supporting a spear (The Shakespeare Family Coat of Arms) over a helmet and a shield with spear (The Shakespeare Family Crest), each within branches of fruiting mulberry on a dot punched ground, below a carved and turned rim. Height 8 ½ ins (21.5cm) Diameter at top 4 1/8 ins (10.5cm) Diameter at base 3 ¾ ins (9.5cm) Although unmarked, there is no doubt that this goblet is the work of John Marshall. It is likely that the underside of the foot contained a plug to the now present cylinder hole, which would have carried his stamp. The goblet, with its line from Hamlet, matches another known example bearing the date 1864 and stamped “I Marshall Shakespeare’s Mulberry Wood”.
IV A carved mulberry wood Shakespeare commemorative goblet
V A rare carved oak Shakespeare commemorative goblet, of good colour and patination, stamped to the base “J. Marshall. Carver. Stratford.On. Avon” and dated “1858” The circular foot carved with the inscription “Oak From Shakespeare’s House” below a carved leaf band and turned pedestal with conforming carved knop, the bowl base carved with a band of husks, the body carved with strapwork incorporating stylised fleur de lys and dragon heads on a dot punched ground below a rope carved frieze and everted turned rim. Height 8 ¼ ins (21cm) Diameter at base 3 ½ ins (9cm) Diameter at top 3 ¼ ins (8.3cm) John Marshall, Carver, Chapel Street, Stratford upon Avon See footnote at (II). John Marshall not only made souvenirs from Shakespeare’s mulberry tree, but also from other wood associated with Shakespeare, including in this case oak from Shakespeare’s house, recovered when the Rev. Francis Gastrell demolished New Place in 1759. Marshall’s 1887 obituary stated “Mr. Marshall had many opportunities of acquiring wood that was in different ways associated with Shakespeare, which he occasionally made into such articles as boxes and many are now possessed by eminent persons in all parts of the world.” “The Catalogue of Book, Manuscripts and Works of Art and Relics Present Exhibited in Shakespeare’s Birthplace, 1910”, lists numerous articles fashioned from Shakespeare’s Mulberry Tree, but also gives examples of Marshall’s work from other Shakespeare timber. No. 136 Casket made of oak from Shakespeare’s birthplace carved by J. Marshal 5” x 3” – presented by Mrs. Marshall, widow of carver, Dec. 7th 1887. No. 140 A little round box made of oak from Shakespeare’s birthplace – taken at restoration 1859 – the maker was John Marshall, Carver and Cabinet Maker, who lived in Julius Shaw’s House, Chapel St, and was largely employed on the fittings of the birthplace. No. 200 Frame – John Marshall, wood from Shakespeare’s House. No. 238 Bookcase made of old oak timbers found by John Marshall – made for the trustees in 1871.
V A rare carved oak Shakespeare commemorative goblet, of good colour and patination, stamped to the base “J. Marshall. Carver. Stratford.On. Avon” and dated “1858”
VI “A lithographed print depicting a “Cup” made from Shakespeare’s Mulberry Wood – by Sharpe of Stratford – Formerly in possession of Mr. Munden and used at meetings of “The Rebellious Seven” to drink “To the Immortal memory of Shakespeare” Drawn on stone from the Original by H. C. Pidgeon. Inscribed in Sharpe’s hand in ink to the reverse on the pine backing board. “This frame is made with Mulberry Wood from The Old Tree now growing in Shakespeare’s Great Garden at New Place, Stratford on Avon, 1868 – J. Marshall, Carver Next door to New Place” 9 7/8 ins x 7 7/8 ins (25cm x 20cm) Frame now lacking. “The Old Tree Now Growing in Shakespeare’s Great Garden” refers to the mulberry tree, descended, legend has it from the tree planted by Shakespeare at New Place.
VI A lithographed print depicting a “Cup” made from Shakespeare’s Mulberry Wood
Sales of Shakespeare’s Mulberry Tree Works on the International Market Christie’s A George III mulberry tea caddy by George Cooper, dated 1759 – New York, 24th November 2009, Lot 353, Sale 2203 ($20,625) Provenance: Anonymous Sale – Sotheby’s London, 29th November 2000, Lot 1 (£14,300) Christie’s A similar tea caddy from The Prescott Collection, Christie’s New York, 31st January 1981, Lot 74. Now housed at the Victoria & Albert Museum (No. W16 – 1981) acquired through the Art Fund, 1992, from the trust of the late Brigadier W E Clark Christie’s A George III mulberry wood writing box, stamped “Shakespeare’s wood, Sharp, Stratford upon Avon” – Lot 71, London, 4th June 2003, Sale 6723, (£5370) Sotheby’s A gold mounted mulberry wood toothpick case of cylindrical tube form, Sale WO 6500, Lot 86 24th October 2006 (£2400) Sotheby’s A gold and mulberry wood toothpick case circ. 1810, interior base inscribed ‘Made of the Mulberry Tree planted by Shakespeare’, Sale LI 0051, Lot 115 15th July 2010 (£8750)
Detail from foot of item II
The Shakespeare family were granted a coat of arms on 20th October 1596. Gold, on a bend (diagonal bar), sable (black), a spear of the first (i.e. gold), steeled argent (with a silver tip) and for his crest a falcon, his wings displayed argent (silver), standing on a wreath of his colours supporting a spear, gold, steeled as aforesaid (i.e. silver), set upon a helmet with mantles and tassels. The motto was “Non Sanz Droict” (Not Without Right).
Literature “And from his touchwood trunk the mulb’ry tree Supplied such relics as devotion holds Still sacred, and preserves with pious care.” William Cowper, “The Task,” 1785
Robert Bearman - Sharp Practice, Focus, June 1981 – pp 26-27 Gillian Walkling – Tea Caddies, 1985, fig. 62 Helen R. Smith – David Garrick 1717-1779 (British Library, 1979, pp24-30) Edward H. Pinto- Treen and Other Wooden Bygones
Detail from foot of item II