Artist

Date

Materials

Description

Silver urn or vase with two circular handles. The lip of the vessel slightly flares outward before narrowing into the neck. There are two circular handles attached to the neck on opposite sides of each other. The body softly flares out again from the neck into a globularn shape. There is text engraved all around the circumference of the lower half of the body. The base has a raised foot ring with two parallel lines engraved around the circumference. Additionally, there are four British silver hallmarks stamped into the base along with the company name and location. Overall, the surface of the vessel is very shiny with a little bit of tarnishing in the crevices of the handles and base.

Based on the combination of the lion passant, date letter, and town mark, this vessel was originally made in 1937. The lion passant was originally introduced during the reign of King Henry VIII in 1544. Although this image changed throughout the centuries, the main symbol of the lion remained the same. After 1720, it was used to mark all English sterling silver. The date letter was first introduced in 1478 with the purpose of showing who had been the assayer (the person who analyses the composition and purity of materials) when a specific piece was tested and hallmarked. The town mark indicates which office the vessel was marked in. In this case, the three wheatsheaves with a sword between them indicate that this vessel was made in Chester. Lastly, the maker's mark indicates that this vessel was manufactured by Solomon Blanckensee & Sons, who made gold and platinum jewellery, silverware, badges and medals, and costume jewellery from 1887 up until the 1940s.

John Diefenbaker received this vessel as a gift from Roland and Norah Michener on Christmas Day in 1961. Roland Michener was a diplomat, lawyer, and politician who served as the 20th governor general of Canada between 1967 and 1974. Before this though, Michener was appointed as speaker of the House of Commons in 1957 and remained in this position until 1962. Despite also being part of the Progressive Conservative Party, Michener often clashed with Diefenbaker, to the point that Diefenbaker accused Michener of being too fair to the opposition parties. One time, Diefenbaker even refused to sit down when called to order by Michener. However, the relationship between Norah Michener and Olive Diefenbaker appeared to be much friendlier than the relationship between their husbands. For instance, at an airport shortly after the 1957 election, Olive and Norah were talking when a press photographer told Norah to stand aside. Instead of listening to the photographer, Olive argued that Norah was her friend and should be in the photo with her.

Marks/Labels

"To John Diefenbaker, Prime Minister of Canada, from the Micheners, 25.12.61" around the circumference of the body.

“78.1.154” on the base. Written in black pen on clear nail polish.

The lion passant. Sideview of the full silhouette of a male lion with three paws on the ground and the proper right forepaw raised.  

"WALFORD & SPOKES LTD

OXFORD"

“M225 9-12”

Date letter. M with a loop at the bottom. 

Town mark Chester. A sword between three wheatsheaves. 

Maker's mark “S.B&S LTD” (Solomon Blanckensee & Sons).

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