Description

A superb antique silver cream jug made by the celebrated 18^th century Huguenot silversmith Paul de Lamerie. A fine piece of exuberant rococo silver of naturalistic design incorporating boldly cast figural images, foliage, fruit and flowers. Very heavy and sits well in the hand. The shaped oval body stands on 3 shell feet with curious face masks and scrolling leaf terminals. The handle is formed as 2 intertwined snakes and attached to the body by a large flower rosette. Below the pouring lip is another face mask and the crest of an arm and sword. Both sides have a large applied decorative panel on a matted background. Weight 212 grams, 6.8 troy ounces. Height 9.4cm (to top of handle). Spread 12.4cm. Width 7cm. London 1740. Maker Paul de Lamerie.

This extraordinary jug is in very good condition. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks.

Maker: Paul de Lamerie

Paul de Lamerie (9 April 1688–1 August 1751). The Victorian and Albert Museum describes him as the "greatest silversmith working in England in the 18th century". Born in Bois-le-Duc, his French Huguenot family chose to follow William of Orange to England during the Glorious Revolution. In August 1703, de Lamerie became the apprentice to a London goldsmith of Huguenot origin, Pierre Platel (1659-1739). De Lamerie opened his own workshop in 1713 (1st mark "LA" - Britannia mark) and was appointed goldsmith to George I in 1716. 2nd mark 1733 - sterling mark). He worked in partnership with Ellis Gamble - formerly apprentice to Master William Hogarth- between 1723 and 1728. His early work is in the simple Queen Anne style, following classical French models, but de Lamerie is noted for his elaborate rococo style of the 1730s, particularly the richly-decorated works of an unidentified craftsman, the Maynard Master. Leaving his first premises in Great Windmill Street he moved to 40 Gerrard Street in 1738. Here he lived and probably had his shop, his workshops being located in one of the 48 properties he owned in the area. His customers included Tsarinas Anna and Catherine, Count Aleksey, Sir Robert Walpole, Benjamin Mildmay (Earl Fitzwalter and Viscount Harwich), the Earl of Ilchester, the Earl of Thanet, Viscount Tyrconnell, the Duke of Bedford, and other members of the English aristocracy. He also worked for King George V of Portugal. One of his productions to the Portuguese Court was a huge solid silver bath tub lost in the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake. A two-handled silver cup and cover by Paul de Lamerie, dated 1720, was among the wedding gifts of Queen Elizabeth II. Paul de Lamerie ranks as one of the stars of England’s finest period of silver. He was the most prolific silversmith of his time and his fame still lives on today.

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