Description

A magnificent early English silver lidded flagon with a tall vertical sided body on a spreading base. Britannia standard silver*. Good plain design. Uninscribed. The graceful curved handle has a large cast and scrolled thumb piece and a heart shaped bottom terminal. Contains 1500 ml. Weight 1356 grams, 43.6 troy ounces. Height 32 cms (to top of thumb piece). Diameter 9.5 cms (top), 8 cms (base). London 1725. Maker William Lukin.

Literature: *Britannia Standard. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today and is always prized.

This rare piece of early silver is in very good condition with no damage or apparent restoration. Uninscribed. Good weight. It has a good full set of clear silver marks to the lid and body. The handle has the makers mark. A nice feature is the dent on top of the handle where the thumb piece has been touching for nearly 300 years (see photo). Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Maker: William Lukin

William Lukin, apprenticed to St. John Hoyte 1692, turned over to John Shephard 1698, free 1699. First mark entered as largeworker 1699, second mark as smallworker 1702, third (sterling) mark 1725. Records show that by about 1715 Lukin was obtaining orders for expensive pieces in the Huguenot manner and he possibly employed Huguenot workers.

Customer satisfaction is our primary concern

All silverware on our website is checked thoroughly prior to offering it for sale and every product listing contains a condition report and details of the silver hallmarks.

All items offered on our website include:

• Free Shipping Worldwide
• Tracked and Insured
• 14 day no quibble money back guarantee
• We are accredited members of LAPADA and conform to their strict professional standards
• We dispatch 1-3 days after receiving cleared payments

More detailed information about deliveries, returns and how to pay is available in the Help section at the bottom of this page.