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DEMONS & DEVILS
Devil is the name commonly given to the fallen angels, who
are also known as demons.
In popular belief they are strictly associated to hell and
hellfire and 'the Demon' (with the article) usually denotes
Lucifer, their chief.
For centuries, a fiery hell and the excruciating torments of its
flames has been envisioned by religious leaders of Christendom
as the certain destiny for sinners and this idea is still
popular among many other religious groups.
The Demon and the other devils, created by God as angelic
creatures that became evil by their own act, since ancient times
have been represented as bearded red-suited personages grasping
a pitchfork and having short horns, pointed tails and hoof feet.
Devils and Demons were often used as decorative subjects for
silver items. This is a small selection of these artifacts,
ranging along three centuries of European silver.
Some examples of silver devils
ember bowl or brazier
Matching the devils and the fire was a habitual practice for
silversmiths. In this case four devil's heads and hoof feet are
used to support the cup of a Spanish ember bowl (brazier) of
18th century.
Silver ember bowl (brazier): Cordoba (Spain) 2nd half of 18th
century , silversmith Damian de Castro (1716-1793)
www.silvercollection.it
Cayenne spoon
In the Victorian era and in the 20th century spread the use
of 'devil' or 'demon' as a symbol of hot sauce and
condiment used to flavor or complement foods.
This is a small Edwardian 'Cayenne spoon' with devil's
head made in Birmingham in 1906. The small size of its bowl
demonstrates the moderation requested in using Cayenne pepper
Edwardian Silver 'Cayenne spoon' with devil's head on
its top: Birmingham 1906, silversmith HM
www.silvercollection.it
A parade of modern devil's hot sauce bottles
spring loaded pill box
this is an unusual silver pill box having the shape of a
devil's head opening the hinged upper portion of the skull. The
opening mechanism is a spring loaded device driven by a lever
hidden in the devil's nose.
The devil has stone red eyes and was made in London (UK) in
1952, silversmith DAB. Lately the head was assembled on a silver
pedestal by an Italian silversmith (AR 997).
www.silvercollection.it
Giorgio Busetto
- 2005-
www.silvercollection.it
English text revised by Jayne Dye
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