3-008-578 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The International Exhibition: "The Poetry of Great Britain", a group of silver designed and modelled by Signor Monti and executed by Mr. C. F. Hancock, 1862. 'The name of Mr. Hancock as an enterprising and discriminating employer of the best artistic talent obtainable has long been favourably known to us; but we think he has seldom been more fortunate than in obtaining the services of Signor Monti in designing and modelling these important works, on which are delineated scenes from some of the greatest of the English poets in a manner not unworthy of the source which inspired them. The large central vase is dedicated to Shakspeare, whose seated figure, in silent meditation, surmounts the whole...The loving cup of Byron is surmounted by a figure of the nymph Egeria...The loving cup of Milton is of the same design as that of Byron. On the stem are heads of Samson, Delilah, and Lycidas...The tazza of Burns is ornamented with spirited illustrations of "The Cotter's Saturday Night" and Tam o' Shanter's weird chase...The character of Monti's design is massive and agreeable, whilst the artistic manner in which his happy renderings of the poets' creations have been carried out reflect much credit on the working artists in Mr. Hancock's employ'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.