The Bolingbroke Punch-Bowl
Silver London, 1744 Maker's mark of Edward Feline
Diameter: 30cm, 11.8in
This imposing punch bowl, almost a sphere, provides a canvas fot the lively engraved decoration of sea-shells, trelliswork and flowers that adorns the shoulder, and for the extravagant cartouche that encloses the coat-of-arms. The bowl belonged to Viscount Bolingbroke, (1678-1751), rake, man of letters, close friend of Alexander Pope and controversial statesman, A lifelong supporter of the cause of exiled Stuarts, much of his life was spent in France.
Artist Biography:
Son of Peter 'Fellen' of St. Martin's in the Fields tailor, apprenticed to Augustine Courtauld 31 March 1709. Free, 6 April 1721. An 'Edwards Pheline' married, 21 April 1720, Renee Barbut of the parish of St. Martin's, daughter of John Barbut (q.v.), at West Street Huguenot Church, to which 'Edward Feline' signs as witness. Two marks (Sterling and New Standard) entered as largeworker, 25 September 1720. Address: Rose Street, Covent Garden. Third mark, 15 June 1739. Address: King Street, Covent Garden. Livery, April 1731. His son Edward was apprenticed to him 3 April 1745. Feline was presumably dead by 15 May 1753, when his widow Magdalen entered her first mark, at the same address.