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WHYTES
SINCE 1783
,
61
Declan Breen and Michael Hilliar for Weir and Sons
DUBLIN CITY MILLENNIUM COMMEMORATIVE SILVER PIECE, 1988
sterling silver mounted on glazed stone base, on a sculpted marble pillar; (unique)
16 by 9 by 9in. (40.64 by 22.86 by 22.86cm)
Dimensions of stone base, 3 by 10 by 10 in.
Repoussé and chasing by Declan Breen; Silversmith Michael D. Hilliar.
To commemorate the Dublin City Millennium Year,Weir and Sons Limited with their team of
silversmiths designed and produced this unique work of art in sterling silver.The piece is completely
hand crafted and through the symbols depicted on it, tells the history of Dublin from 988 to 1988.
This piece bears a full set of Irish Hallmarks including the special Dublin City Millennium Year
Commemorative Hallmark for 1988.
The design of the piece consists of three silver rings representing the castle of Dublin which has been
the symbol of the city since the Middle Ages, and which is depicted on Coat of Arms of Dublin.
From the centre-inner circle, flames represented by yellow stoneware are seen to be leaping from the
towers of the castle: this is symbolic of the readiness of the citizens to defend the city, again as
depicted on the Coat of Arms of Dublin.The three rings are mounted on a textured glazed stoneware
base in varying shades of blue, representing Dublin Bay and the River Liffey on the banks of which the
city was founded.The yellow streaks through the base represent the ever changing sands of time.
The piece is presented on a marble pillar with sculpted designs including motifs for the Dublin
Millennium and The Papal Visit.
An extremely important example of 20th Century Irish silversmithing.
€
30,000-
€
40,000 (£24,000-£32,000 approx)