Silver lining

Many of you know of my love for silver. I have sold fine silver for years and used to write the occasional article for Silver Magazine in the 1990's. It may be in my genetic coding - I believe that one of my maternal grandmother Szcarlat's relatives was the jewish silversmith that made the fine 19th century Shabbos candlesticks in my gallery.

One of my favorite patterns of silver is Shreve's 14th Century pattern. This sterling was made by San Francisco's premier silversmith at the turn of the twentieth century and discontinued in 1915.

The craftsman, gothic revival pattern is typified by riveted strapwork and elegant hammering.

I bought this very interesting and large trophy in 14th century at the Hillsborough Show this week.

But the back story is perhaps more interesting than the trophy itself.

The double handled urn is inscribed "Presented to William B. Bourn from Charles E. Clinch - Grass Valley, 1908."

William Bourn (1857-1936)  was the owner of the Empire Mine in Grass Valley. The last "Bonanza King," he was a seminal figure in California history. The scion of a rich gold and silver mining family, he owned the famed Filoli Estate in Woodside. He also controlled San Francisco's water with his Spring Valley Water Company. Owner of Fireman's Fund Insurance. Founder of the company that became P.G.& E.. Friend of John Muir and opponent of the Hetch Hetchy despoliation. Champion of Yosemite. Purportedly, Bourn was a hard worker who would physically work the mine he inherited alongside his men when his father died and significantly improved his family's holdings.

The man who presented the trophy was the Mayor of Grass Valley, the town where the Empire Mine was located. Charles E. Clinch was the owner of the Clinch Mercantile, a player in Republican poitics and an interesting figure in his own right.

One of the docents was here yesterday from Filoli and took great pleasure in seeing the trophy. Another window into California history.