λ A SILVER CIRCULAR TABLE CENTREPIECE WITH A REMOVABLE GOLD COLOURED AND AQUAMARINE BROOCHGERALD BENNEY, LONDON 1965With a plain polished border, to an openwork centre with silver gilt stacked batons at intervals, textured arrow and ribbed panels, the centre with a removable gold coloured and aquamarine brooch, centrally claw set with a circular cut aquamarine within a birds nest border of textured batons set with corner step cut aquamarines, unmarked, 4.9cm diameter, 61.6g grossThe bowl 34.5cm (13 1/2in) diameter3018g (97.05 oz) grossDuring the 1950s Gerald Benney began to receive both private and commercial commissions for large and small one off pieces. By the early 1960s he had developed his own unique centrepiece bowl design, which was much shallower than the 20-30cm high centrepieces of previous generations. He produced these centrepieces in varying designs his career. The flat open work covers of Gerald's centrepieces are highly sculpted with a variety of abstract flowers and insects, or set with gemstones such as the lot being offered here.Literature: Andrew J. and Styles D. 'Designer British Silver from Studios Established 1930 -1985', Antique Collector's Club 2015, p 90-93 for other examples of Gerald Benney centrepieces dating from 1962 and 1974.