EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW NIGHT | SPLENDID | THE ROGER BROOKES BEQUEST

SPLENDID | magnificent; gorgeous; sumptuous; glorious; brilliant; dignified; impressive; excellent; very fine.

Since its inception, TJC has celebrated collectors and collections.

SPLENDID will welcome to TJC a most magnificent bequest from Mr. Clive Hele (Roger) Brookes (1929 – 2020).

The Brookes Bequest is a carefully considered connoisseur’s collection of sumptuous sterling silver of outstanding merit due to the rigour involved in its distinguished selection.

This impressive collection was amassed over a period of time, initially by the bequestor’s mother (Mrs. Betty Brookes (1900-1968), family gifts and bequests, plus acquisitions by his father Sir Wilfred Deakin Brookes, CBE, DSO, AEA (1906-1997), and then added to in a deliberate and very focussed manner by Mr. Roger Brookes for over two decades.

As well as brilliant silver (ranging from the late 16^th century to the mid-19^th century), this extensive collection includes gorgeous ceramics, dignified furniture, glorious glass, excellent clocks and watches, very fine paintings including miniatures, and objets d’art predominantly of English origin.

The Brookes Bequest of English silver ranges from the late 16^th century to the mid-19^th century and includes in its vast array objects from ecclesiastical wares, argyles (gravy warmers), pap boats and porringers, tankards and trophies, to immense serving salvers and delicious strawberry dishes.

Notable early silversmiths include William Cawdell, the elusive communion cup maker ‘IP’ (formerly attributed to John Pickenyge), Matthew Boulton, Paul Storr, John Bridge and John Angell. The Brookes Bequest has a glorious roll call of women silversmiths, especially selected with TJC in mind. The makers include Hester Bateman, Ann Bateman, Susannah Barker, Elizabeth Cooke, Elizabeth Eaton, Rebecca Eames, Elizabeth Jones, Dorothy Mills, Elizabeth Oldfield, and Mary Rood[e]. There is a revealing selection of London Huguenot silversmiths including John (Jean) Jacob, Jacob and Samuel Margas, David Willaume I, and David Willaume II.

The Brookes Bequest will become a fundamental reference resource to increase the enthusiasms, knowledge, display, and interpretation of Elizabethan through to Georgian and Regency period, illustrative of stylistic development, technical production, and cultural issues especially through the medium of silver.

The Brookes Bequest is a lasting legacy of Roger Brookes’ discernible enthusiasms as a collector.

TJC would like to acknowledge the oversight and appraisal of the collection by TJC Ambassador Mr. Andrew Dixon, long-term supporter of and adviser to Mr. Roger Brookes; Mr. Matthew Lafite, collection curator to Mr. Brookes; Mrs. Robyn Ives Independent curator and lecturer, as well as Mr. Andrew D. Brookes, Mr. John H H Brookes and Perpetual Trustee Co. Ltd. the Executors of the Estate of Mr. Roger Brookes.

This exhibition and accompanying publication are supported by a specified fund established from the Estate of Mr. Clive Hele (Roger) Brookes.

This exhibition is also supported by The Friends of TJC and TJC Ambassador, Mr. Andrew Dixon.

Join with The Friends for a very special, exclusive preview of this exciting exhibition, SPLENDID | THE ROGER BROOKES BEQUEST. 

Hallmark of Richard Hoare | porringer and cover, London, 1677 |sterling silver | 190 x 210 x 150 mm (overall) | weight 600 gm

The Johnston Collection bequest of Mr. Clive Hele (Roger) Brookes, Melbourne, 2021 in memory of his parents Sir Wilfred Deakin Brookes, CBE, DSO, AE and Mrs. Betty (née Heal) Brookes

Photograph by Mitchell Luo, Melbourne