Cork 'Republican' Silver A fine rare pair of important circular dishes with lobed rim and beaten surface. The underside struck with W.E. incuse punch and two masted ships flanked by two...

Cork 'Republican' Silver A fine rare pair of important circular dishes with lobed rim and beaten surface. The underside struck with W.E. incuse punch and two masted ships flanked by two applications of single towered castle punches, 13cm (5'') diameter. Provenance: Private Collection, Dublin The civil war of 1922-23 followed the War of Independence and the 1921 Treaty with Britain and became on of the most bitter periods in the centuries long struggle for Irish independence. The Civil War was essentially between those who accepted the Irish Free State, established after the Treaty with the consequent partition of the island of Ireland and on the other side those who rejected partition and who were prepared to fight for a republic. Between July and September 1922, Cork was occupied by the anti treaty Republican forces, isolating the city, the road and rail connections to Dublin having been cut. The general state of lawlessness and insecurity made it possible for trade to take place between Cork and the outside world. This meant that firms such as silversmiths William Egan and Sons faced difficulties that threatened their very existence. As Egans could not send their silverware to the Dublin Assay Office, it was suggested by Oliver St. John Gogarty, the Dublin writer and surgeon, that they create a special hallmark distinguishing the work of that particular period. Egans then continued to produce their renowned high quality silverware and for that short period impressed special punches based on Cork's original town marks of a ship between two single towered castles. However the 1922 ship had two masts as opposed to the original three. These unique pieces also had the old style maker's mark of W.E. in Celtic script. In all there are only about 60 to 80 pieces made by Egan and hallmarked with these marks, which go to make up the category known widely as 'Republican Silver'. After the occupation ended in September 1922 Egans destroyed the punches. Apparently Barry Egan, the firms principal restrained these pieces and gave them as gifts. Curiously a number of these pieces of 'Republican' silver have madder their way into collections of senior members of the British royal family including HRH Princess Mary and the Marquess of Bute. The present pair of 'Republican' silver dishes have been in the collection of the vendors family for many decades.

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