Gibbon’s Vase

An image of a silver vase with large handles. It sits on an angle on top of a white doily and a wooden piano. Inside the vase there are fake red and orange flowers.
Gibbons Vase from the Eldon House Collection
An image of a silver vase with two handles. The outside is decorated with enamel pieces that look like peacock feathers. Inside are fake red and orange flowers as well as coleus. It sits on a white doily and on a piano.

Country of Origin: Canada
Year: 1905
Materials: Silver, copper, enamel   

Typical to the organic forms of the Art Nouveau design movement, this sterling bowl has copper trim, blue and green enamel, in an overall peacock feather design. It is oblong in shape, with handles at each end. The bowl was presented to George C. Gibbons of London, Ontario. Sir George Christie Gibbons (1848-1918), was a lawyer, businessman, and representative of Canada abroad. The inscription on the bottom of the bowl reads: “In appreciation of many services to the liberal party. Xmas 1905. This piece was inherited by his daughter, Lorna Gibbons Harris.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.