Welcome to the third week of Advent! We are enjoying your visits to the gallery and your comments on the 2024 calendar and Christmas Calendar Exhibition. We hope you enjoy our selection of treasures for our third Advent Gift Guide with wonderful ideas for your holiday gatherings and celebrations, along with a few seasonally inspired paintings. This week we are showcasing a fabulous selection of table décor including an early set of Kings pattern flatware in a fitted box. Enjoy!

‘Bacchanalian Landscape with Nymphs and Satyrs’ late 18th/early 19th century oil on lined canvas, unsigned, in the style of Rubens, ornate frame by Biggs & Sons (31 Conduit Street London). Size: 26 h x 35 w in (with frame 38 x 48 in). ZJ20716

Pair of brass tea cannisters engraved "King Edward VII. Coronation Gift from Sir Walter Gilbey Bart" gift for the coronation on August 9th, 1902. Sir Walter Gilbey, 1st Baronet, DL (2 May 1831 – 12 November 1914) was an English wine-merchant, horse-breeder, author, philanthropist and founder of Gilbey's Gin. Size: 5 ¾ h x 3 ½ w x 3 ½ d in. M20658

*Landscape with Church and Windmills, Unsigned oil on panel, Dutch, late 18th/early 19 century, complete with ornate gilt frame. Size: 8 3/4 h x 12 w in (with frame: 15 h x 19 1/4 w in). J20434*

*Tripod earthenware censor or urn with enamelled bronze lid, bronze foo dog finial and bronze handle mounts, Chinese 18th century. Size: 11 1/4 h x 10 w x 8 d in. D20664*

‘Venetian Scenes’ pair of 19th century Italian oils on canvas, circa 1840. Size: 10 h x 14 w in. J20570

*Royal Copenhagen and Bing and Grondahl set of bird figurines, 20th century. E19865*

*Wooden lidded Scandinavian (likely Danish) bentwood box with lid, inscribed "Einar Stricker" on bottom, circa 1900. Size 7 ½ x 4 ¼ in. M20662*

*Wooden tea caddy shaped as a stack of books, with key, British circa 1850. Size: 4 ¾ h x 4 ¾ w x 9 d in. M20657*

*William IV Rosewood basket form card tray, complete with swing handle, scalloped edges, sitting on scroll feet, circa 1840. Size: 1 3/4 h x 8 3/4 w x 5 1/4 d in. M20322*

Through the Georgian, Regency and Victorian eras, the etiquette of ‘calling’ was an essential part of invitations, introductions and visits. Calling cards became an indispensable accessory for any upper-class lady or gentleman of society to announce their presence in town, or call upon a friend. Upon arriving at a residence, the visitor, or their groom, would present the calling card on a tray to the butler or maid, who would in turn transport the card to their mistress. The card would either be returned with regrets, or accepted, whereupon the guest would be admitted. How a card was presented or folded was complex and layered in meaning, and books on manners in the 19th century contained entire chapters devoted to nothing but the correct use of calling cards. Ladies cards were larger than gentlemen’s, who carried them in their breast pocket, and elaborate calling card cases and card trays became popular and a sign of status.

*Sterling silver Christening cup with gilt interior, Sheffield 1852, maker Hawksworth, Eyre & Co., inscribed "James Ker 1857". Size: 4 1/2 h in. C20330*

*Wooden oak bible box with hinged lid, 18th century, with carved decoration (possibly later). Size: 8 1/2 h x 21 1/2 w x 15 1/4 d in. M20471*

*Gilt lamp base with female Art Nouveau figure, French circa 1900. Size: 20 x 14 ½ in. L18337*

The long, sinuous and organic lines of this Art Nouveau lamp are characteristic of the movement from 1890 to 1910 which wished to avoid ‘frivolous’ decoration and believed that the function of an object should dictate its form. The status of craft was raised by the revival of good workmanship, producing genuinely modern designs that reflected the utility of the designs being created. Drawing inspiration from both organic and geometric forms, the elegant lines unite flowing, natural forms and help to narrow the gap between the fine and the applied arts.