Anthony Ficketts
Anthony Ficketts, London silversmith, apprenticed to James Pigborne for 8 years in 1627, turned over to Thomas Cooke on Pigborne’s death in 1631, free 1637. Ficketts appears to have lived quite a chequered life, according to Mitchell’s biography, and was involved in many heated disputes with both clients and the Goldsmith’s Company. Despite this, he was elected to the Livery in 1653, Renter Warden 1664, Assistant 1667 and 1683. Died 1686. Ficketts led a successful and prosperous career, he took on 9 apprentices and was assessed in the Hearth Tax of 1666 as “a silversmith in Foster Lane with 6 hearths” whereas most silversmiths occupied much smaller houses, usually with just 3 or 4 hearths.
Anthony Ficketts
Anthony Ficketts, London silversmith, apprenticed to James Pigborne for 8 years in 1627, turned over to Thomas Cooke on Pigborne’s death in 1631, free 1637. Ficketts appears to have lived quite a chequered life, according to Mitchell’s biography, and was involved in many heated disputes with both clients and the Goldsmith’s Company. Despite this, he was elected to the Livery in 1653, Renter Warden 1664, Assistant 1667 and 1683. Died 1686. Ficketts led a successful and prosperous career, he took on 9 apprentices and was assessed in the Hearth Tax of 1666 as “a silversmith in Foster Lane with 6 hearths” whereas most silversmiths occupied much smaller houses, usually with just 3 or 4 hearths.
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1659
Anthony Ficketts
9875 Commonwealth Silver Tankard
£15,950
A rare early English silver flat top lidded tankard with a cast, kidney shaped thumbpiece. The S-scroll handle has a shield terminal. Circa 1640 is the earliest date at which this tankard shape occurs and it’s unusual to find a tankard from this turbulent period and early date. Very charming, with hand beaten silver, the tankard displays a lot of character; a nice feature is the pointed front of the lid. Hand engraved to the front with a flat topped shield within ostrich plume feathers, a popular style of engraving from 1660-1690. Contains 1300 ml. Weight 763 grams, 24.5 troy ounces. Height 16.3cm (to top of thumb piece). Spread 15.7 cm. Diameter 11.4cm (inside top), 13.3 cm (base). London 1659. Silver from this period is very rare. Maker Anthony Ficketts, attribution by David Mitchell “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”. Sterling silver.
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