Benjamin Godfrey
Benjamin Godfrey (1699-1741) was apprenticed to John Craig the Westminster jeweller in 1716 for 7 years. In 1729 he acquired a jeweller’s premises in Norris St, just 18 months before the goldsmiths Abraham Buteux and his wife Elizabeth (Eliza) moved their silver manufactory to Norris St. When Buteux died in 1731 his widow Eliza (daughter of Simon Pantin) continued the family business and several months later in 1732 she and Benjamin were married.
Benjamin was not a Huguenot but born to an affluent English family with cousins in the aristocracy. He continued both the retail jeweller’s shop and the silversmith’s premises in Norris St and despite having no experience of silvermaking he entered marks at Goldsmiths Hall as a largeworker, presumably for use by Eliza. 1st mark in 1732, 2nd and 3rd marks in 1739. When Benjamin died in died 1741 Eliza entered her own widow’s mark.
The Godfreys’ work displays strong Huguenot influences in design and fine execution, their later works incorporating rococo designs. Just as one would expect from a family background such as Eliza’s.
biography extracted from Sandra Robinson’s “Simon Pantin & His Children”
Benjamin Godfrey
Benjamin Godfrey (1699-1741) was apprenticed to John Craig the Westminster jeweller in 1716 for 7 years. In 1729 he acquired a jeweller’s premises in Norris St, just 18 months before the goldsmiths Abraham Buteux and his wife Elizabeth (Eliza) moved their silver manufactory to Norris St. When Buteux died in 1731 his widow Eliza (daughter of Simon Pantin) continued the family business and several months later in 1732 she and Benjamin were married.
Benjamin was not a Huguenot but born to an affluent English family with cousins in the aristocracy. He continued both the retail jeweller’s shop and the silversmith’s premises in Norris St and despite having no experience of silvermaking he entered marks at Goldsmiths Hall as a largeworker, presumably for use by Eliza. 1st mark in 1732, 2nd and 3rd marks in 1739. When Benjamin died in died 1741 Eliza entered her own widow’s mark.
The Godfreys’ work displays strong Huguenot influences in design and fine execution, their later works incorporating rococo designs. Just as one would expect from a family background such as Eliza’s.
biography extracted from Sandra Robinson’s “Simon Pantin & His Children”
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1740
Benjamin Godfrey
8591 George II Antique Silver Candlesticks
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An excellent pair of early English antique silver candlesticks by the sought after maker Benjamin Godfrey. Fine quality and made of heavy gauge cast silver. In the French Huguenot taste, each with a knopped baluster stem on spreading circular base and decorative border. These stunning candlesticks are beautifully chased all over. Weight 1180 grams, 37.9 troy ounces. Height 25.5 cms. Base diameter 12.5 cms. London 1740. Maker Benjamin Godfrey.
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Circa 1735
Benjamin Godfrey
9636 Antique George II Silver Strawberry Dish
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A fine quality antique silver strawberry dish of circular form and raised on cast shaped feet. Ribbed and scalloped border. Good weight and patina. The surface and border are hand engraved with a well executed decoration of shells and scrolls, typical of the period and displaying the Huguenot influence associated with this maker. To the centre is an excellent armorial within a decorative cartouche. This could also be used as a salver or small tray. Weight 715 grams, 22.9 troy ounces. Scratch weight 23=6. Diameter 24 cm, inner diameter 19.5 cm. Height 4 cm. Circa 1735. Maker’s mark only for Benjamin Godfrey. Sterling silver.
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