The London Bridge Corkscrew

I was lucky enough to win this one of a kind corkscrew back in November and it finally arrived about a month later. This piece will definitely be a part of my Best Six for 2025. Much of the provenance and descriptions of the engravings can be found below.

An impressive and intriguing piece of exceptional historic interest. This rare and interesting four pillar rack and pinion corkscrew was made circa 1831 from materials previously used to build Old London Bridge in 1176. Same provenance as the most expensive corkscrew ever sold at auction.
Markings
Inscription on the four pillars
Made from the iron shoe that was / taken from a pile that was 656 years / in the foundation of Old London Bridge / By J.Ovenston of 72 Gt. (Great) Titchfield St. (Street) London

Inscription on brass plaque on the turned wood handle
Made from an Oak Pile that 656 years under Old London Bridge. Put down 1176 Taken up 1831

Four markings on the collar

• 1176 - the date construction started on Old London Bridge
• PC -  Peter de Colechurch, architect/priest appointed by Henry II to oversee the construction of Old London Bridge. Built to atone for the murder of Thomas Becket ("Will no-one rid me of this turbulent priest?")
• Royal Orb crossed -  the symbol of The Brethren of The Bridge. One of the world's oldest corporate logos, the Bridge Mark today refers to Bridge House Estates https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/about-us/city-bridge-foundation-history
• City of London shield

Provenance

• 1176 construction starts on Old London Bridge 
• 1831 Old London Bridge is dismantled, materials are taken up 
• 1831 (circa) J. Ovenston of 72 Great Titchfield Street, London, cabinetmaker and upholsterer, sells relics from these materials
• 2014 26 November, Ovenston's descendent sells British Osborne patent corkscrew at Reeman Dansie for a world record price
• 2015 29 July, Peter Borrett, Corkscrews Online, has been contacted by Ovenston's descendent about the four pillar corkscrew 
• 2015 29 September, the four pillar corkscrew is sold at Reeman Dansie Auctioneers; my husband places the winning bid

Antiques Roadshow 
The Corkscrew featured on a BBC Antiques Roadshow Special Edition in the section starting at 15:50.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0026f6y/antiques-roadshow-series-47-16-a-history-of-food