Presentation

On special occasions it is traditional to present an item made from a precious metal such as silver; trophy cups and bowls are often given as prizes, large cigar boxes and inkstands are popular retirement gifts. Very often these items bear a unique inscription which can be of special interest and these have become a popular collecting field.
A presentation trowel was traditionally given to commemorate laying the foundation stone of a building and this should bear an inscription with the name of the dignitary laying the stone, the building and the date of commencement (or completion) of the project. Special examples can sometimes have an engraved representation of the building, on rare occasions a life size presentation shovel was given to commemorate “the turning of the first sod”. Occasionally an ordinary fish slice, which could be bought from any silver retailer, was used for the presentation rather than commissioning a specially made trowel.

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Presentation

1568
William Dyxson
10179 Elizabeth I Antique Silver Chalice
£11,950

A rare early English silver chalice dating to the reign of Elizabeth I. This cup follows the standard design for Elizabethan communion cups and is most likely to have been made from pre-reformation silver. Of very plain form, the straight tapering sided bowl has a circular band below the rim, and simple reeded wire ornamentation has been applied to the stem and foot. This cup would originally have had a cover (paten). Weight 139 grams, 4.4 troy ounces. Height 14cm. Diameter – top 8.1cm, foot 6.8cm. London 1568. Maker William Dyxson. Sterling silver. 16th century.
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.
1675
Simon Romney
8739 Antique Charles II Silver Porringer
£7,500

A rare piece of early English silver. A large 2 handled antique silver porringer of plain form. The matching cover has a capstan shaped finial so that the lid can be turned upside down and used on its own as a saucer. This has the form of a typical early Restoration porringer, with bellied shape and the lid sitting over the upper rim. There is a small silver support either side next to the handle for the lid to sit on. Hand engraved to the front, and repeated on the cover, are the arms and crest for the Yong family of Medhurst, Sussex. Weight 375 grams, 12 troy ounces. Height 14 cm (total), 10 cm (cup), 4.5 cm (lid). Diameter 10 cm. Spread across the handles 17 cm. London 1675. Makers mark “SR”* in a shield (there are 2 similar marks in Jacksons, see page 124 and 129, bottom of the page), probably Simon Romney.
1683
Francis Singleton
10203 Charles II Antique Silver Peg Tankard
£9,500

Extremely rare. An unusual early English silver peg tankard, flat lidded, with a vertical row of six pegs inside. Good patina. Lovely plain design and beaten silver. To the front there is a contemporary family armorial within a large cartouche. Contains 1,300 ml. Weight 802 grams, 25.7 troy ounces. Height 17cm (to top of thumb piece). Diameter 13.2cm (top), 13.2cm (base). London 1683. Maker Francis Singleton. Sterling silver
1686
Thomas Cooper
9938 James II Antique Silver Tankard
£9,500

A fine and rare early English sterling silver tankard with a flat hinged cover. Excellent size and quality. Good patina. With a scroll handle, decorative thumb piece and shield shaped terminal. A fabulous collector’s piece and still able to be used. To the front is a crisp armorial hand engraved within plumage feathers, in keeping with the period. An excellent example of early hand beaten silver with lots of character. Contains 1400 ml. Weight 731 grams, 23.5 troy ounces. Height 15.3cm, 17.5cm (to top of thumbpiece). Diameter 12cm (top), 13.5cm (base). Spread 20.5cm. London 1686. Maker “TC, a fish above” probably Thomas Cooper, attributed by David Mitchell. Sterling silver.
Circa 1690
Katherine Mangy
10186 William and Mary Antique Hull Silver Tumbler Cup
Sold

A rare item of English provincial silver from Hull in the North of England. An antique silver tumbler cup of simple plain design. Good gauge silver and excellent patina. The round and weighted base allows the cup to stay upright when knocked from side to side. This example, typical of Hull silver tumblers, has a flatter base than those made in London. To the front is a hand engraved armorial with a badger crest for the Brooke family. To the reverse are owner’s initials “AD to IS”. Contains 170 ml. Weight 116 grams, 3.7 troy ounces. Height 5.4cm. Diameter 7.3cm. Hull circa 1690. Maker Kath Mangy (Jacksons page 473). Sterling silver.
1697
John Sutton
9860 William III Silver Tankard
£13,750

Outstanding quality and unusually large quart size. A rare early English silver flat top lidded tankard in Britannia standard silver with a scroll handle and decorative thumb piece. To the front is a large hand engraved armorial capped by the crest of a griffin. To the top of the handle there is a set of prick engraved owners initials. An excellent example of early hand beaten silver with lots of character.Contains 2500 ml, a hefty quart capacity (1 quart = 2 pints). Weight 1420 grams, 45.6 troy ounces. Height 23 cm (to top of thumbpiece). Spread 25 cm. London 1697. Maker John Sutton.
1702
Edward Ironside
9863 Queen Anne Antique Silver Tazza
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A very charming early silver footed salver with a thick gadroon border to the top and foot. Britannia standard silver*. There is a hand engraved crest of a stag to the centre. Weight 285 grams, 9.1 troy ounces. Height 6.2cm. Diameter 20.1cm. London 1702. Maker Edward Ironside.
1705
William Denny
9945 Queen Anne Antique Silver Tankard
£7,500

An extremely large and imposing silver lidded tankard of tapering cylindrical form with a coopered band to the body. Britannia standard silver*. The embossed vertical fluting and bands of hand chased matted decoration are typical of the period. To the front is a hand engraved armorial within a large decorative cartouche. An unusual feature is the double thumb piece which attaches to both the handle and the lid. The handle has engraved owner’s initials. Good patina. Contains 1750 ml. Weight 1325 grams, 42.6 troy ounces. Height 21.2cm (to top of thumb piece). Diameter 12.8cm (top). Spread 23cm. London 1705. Maker William Denny.
1706
Isaac Dighton
10169 Queen Anne Antique Silver Bowl
£12,500

A rare early English silver monteith from the Queen Anne period. Large size. The decoration, with the ribbed body and decorative cartouches, is typical for this period. Particularly charming are the quaint lions mask side handles. The shaped monteith rim is fixed and was originally used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer. To the front and back there is a good hand engraved armorial for the Fitzgerald family. Underneath the bowl there is also a presentation inscription from the Fitzgerald family. Gilt interior. Weight 1895 grams, 60.9 troy ounces. Height 20cm. Diameter 29.5cm. London 1706. Maker Isaac Dighton. Britannia standard silver (95.8% pure).
1709
Nathaniel Lock
10208 Queen Anne Antique Silver Dish
£5,500

An early English antique silver bowl with scalloped edge and unusually deep bowl with 16 segments. This form is usually called a strawberry dish or salad dish. Hand engraved to the centre is a family armorial, incorporating a swan, within a decorative cartouche. Britannia standard silver. Superb colour. Weight 519 grams, 16.6 troy ounces. Height 5cm. Diameter 23.3cm. London 1709. Maker Nathaniel Lock.
1711
Joseph Bird
10161 Queen Anne Antique Silver Chamberstick
£4,950

A rare early English silver chamberstick (also known as a go to bed) with the solid design and excellent heavy gauge silver as you’d expect from this date. It has the early form with a flat teardrop handle and a broad drip pan mounted on three small stump feet. The circular base is hand engraved with a coat of arms within a decorative cartouche. Weight 242 grams, 7.7 troy ounces. Diameter 4.5cm. Length 23cm. Britannia standard silver. London 1711. Maker Joseph Bird.
1718
Edward Holaday
10215 George I Antique Silver Hot Milk Jug
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A rare George I silver gilt hot milk jug with a carved wood side handle. The unusual ovoid body has a pull off cover with a finely engraved border. Hand engraved to the front is an excellent quality coat of arms for the Russell family. Contains 200ml. Total weight 298 grams, 9.6 troy oz. Height 12.8cm high. Spread 12cm. London 1718. Maker Edward Holaday. Britannia Standard silver purity. 18^th century. See also 10216 George I Antique Silver Covered Sugar Bowl.
1719
Richard Bayley
9137 George I Silver Teapot
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A rare early English silver teapot of simple plain form. Britannia standard silver*. Pear shaped with domed hinged cover and original wooden handle. Hand engraved to the front is a coat of arms – argent, six Lions rampant, sable – within an incised shield, possibly for the Savage family. Early teapots were of small capacity because of the rarity of tea. Contains 570 ml. Weight 425 grams, 13.6 troy ounces. Height 14 cm. Spread 19 cm. London 1719. Maker Richard Bayley.
1720
John Chartier
9746 Antique George I Silver Serving Dish
£9,750

A large and important piece of early English Britannia standard* silver. A Georgian silver meat plate, or serving platter, of shaped oval form with a broad applied gadroon border and decorative motifs. Made by John Chartier, an important Huguenot silversmith; his French influence is seen in the fleur de lys motifs around the border. Superb colour. Hand engraved to two sides with an armorial for Manners impaling Tollemache. Hand hammered finish on the back of the applied borders. Weight 2753 grams, 88.4 troy ounces. Length 52.5 cms. Width 37.5 cms. London 1720. Maker John Chartier.
Circa 1720 - 1740

9883 Early German Antique Silver Tazza
£2,750

An antique silver footed salver of plain circular form with a simple moulded border and a waisted pedestal foot. Excellent heavy quality. Hand engraved to the centre with a coat of arms flanked by a pair of dogs, surmounted by the coronet of a Count. The foot, with the original detachable screw, is now permanently attached to the top for stability. Weight 642 grams, 20.6cm. Diameter 23cm. Height 5.3cm. Stamped underneath to the centre with German silver marks for Hanover Altstadt, 1720-40. Maker’s mark “P.P”
1724
David Tanqueray
9622 Pair of George I Silver Chargers
£55,000

An outstanding lot. A rare pair of George I silver sideboard dishes of plain circular form with wide borders. Large size and good heavy weight. *Britannia standard silver. Excellent patina. The centres are finely engraved with armorials within a baroque cartouche of strapwork and foliage, a shell above, a bearded mask below. The arms are those of Lane. Diameter 51cm, 20ins. Total weight approx. 6,950 grams, 224 troy ounces. London 1724. Maker David Tanqueray. A highly esteemed Huguenot maker.
1724
Thomas Tearle
9999 George I Antique Silver Chocolate Pot
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An early English antique sterling silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid typical of the period. Shaped wooden handle and square shaped spout. The top has a removable central cover so that the chocolate can be stirred. Excellent colour. Hand engraved to the front is a well-executed family armorial within a decorative cartouche. Weight 890 grams, 28.6 troy ounces. Height 22cm. Diameter of foot 12cm. London 1724. Maker Thomas Tearle. Sterling silver.
1728
James Savage
9958 George II Antique Silver Serving Spoon
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A massive antique sterling silver spoon in the popular Hanover pattern. Very useful long handled serving spoon. To the reverse of the handle terminal there is an intricate hand engraved armorial. Weight 271 grams, 8.7 troy ounces. Length 39.5cm. Bowl 12 x 7cm. London 1728. Maker James Savage. Sterling silver..
1731
Charles Kandler
10207 George II Antique Silver Spoon Tray
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An outstanding piece of workmanship by this rare and sought after maker. A small gilt silver tray; the cast, scalloped border with shell motifs, the outer border and centre with fine hand engraved decoration. The armorial is for the Gilbert family with the motto “Pro Christo et Patria” below. Weight 225 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Length 17.6cm. Width 11.5cm. London 1731. Maker Charles Kandler. Sterling silver.
1733
Robert Lucas
9753 George II Silver Coffee Pot
£1,950

A good plain style antique silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides and a shallow domed lid. To the front is a contemporary hand engraved armorial within a decorative cartouche. Good gauge silver and excellent colour. Contains 640 ml. Weight 699 grams, 22.4 troy ounces. Height 20cm. Spread 19cm. London 1733. Maker Robert Lucas. Sterling silver.
1738
John Jacob
9977 George II Antique Silver Kettle
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A handsome antique sterling silver samovar of globular form having a shaped folding handle with leather finish. Hand engraved to the front is a large armorial within a decorative cartouche there is a matching crest on the reservoir lid and well. The matching stand has a cut-work frieze and stands on large shell feet, it has a removable burner well with push on top. Contains 1550 ml. Weight 1695 grams, 54.5 troy ounces. Total height (handle extended) 31.5cm, height (handle folded) 23.5cm. Spread 22.5cm. London 1738. Maker John Jacob. Sterling silver.
1739
Paul de Lamerie
10192 George II Silver Mug by Paul de Lamerie
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An excellent quality antique silver tankard by the important and sought after Huguenot silversmith Paul de Lamerie. Small size and suitable as a child’s cup. With the plain style typical of this date this mug has an attractive baluster shape, a simple S scroll handle, and a wide spreading foot. Hand engraved to the front is a finely engraved armorial within a decorative cartouche. Contains 280 ml. Weight 241 grams, 7.7 troy ounces. Height 10cm (to top of handle). Diameter 6.4cm (top), 7.2cm (foot). Spread across handle 10.2cm. London 1739. Maker Paul de Lamerie. Sterling silver. 18th century.
1741
George Wickes
9951 George II Antique Silver Salvers
£2,450

A fine pair of antique sterling silver salvers with shaped borders and scroll feet. Hand engraved to the centre contemporary armorial within a decorative cartouche. The inside border is beautifully hand chased with shells and scrolls. These small size trays are often referred to as waiters and are ideal for use with small objects such as glasses and bottles. Total weight 728 grams, 23.4 troy ounces. Diameter 18.9cm. Height 2.2cm. London 1741. Maker George Wickes, Royal goldsmith. Sterling silver.
1741
Elizabeth Godfrey
10209 George II Antique Silver Inkstand
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An exceptional early English silver inkstand of oval form with a cast shell border and raised on four cast scroll feet. Gilt finish. Good gauge silver and heavy weight. To the top are two cylindrical containers for ink and sand and a detachable candlestick mounted on a circular box. Hand engraved to the top with a coat of arms and motto “Pax in Bello” for the Osborne family; the two pots and taperstick all with a matching crest. Weight 1485 grams, 47.7 troy ounces. Height 13.25cm. Length 34.4cm. Width 22.5cm. London 1741. Maker Eliza Godfrey. Sterling silver.
1742
William Gould
10152 Set of George II Antique Silver Candlesticks
£5,650

This plain design, typical of the period, is enhanced by the unusual feature of the naturalistic shell corners. A handsome set of four antique silver candlesticks with baluster stems and shaped square bases. Heavy gauge cast silver. Each foot has a hand engraved armorial. Total weight 1,940 grams, 62.3 troy ounces. Height 19.5cm. Diameter of base 11cm. London 1742. Maker William Gould, specialist candlestick maker and great exponent of rococo silver. Sterling silver.
1745
Gabriel Sleath
10188 George II Antique Silver Cup and Cover
£2,950

An excellent antique silver cup with matching cover having a traditional campana shape and acanthus leaf side handles. The lid and body have broad bands of embossed shell scrolls with vine leaf and grape ornament. Excellent plain style and very good weight. To the front is a large and finely engraved armorial within a foliate scroll cartouche, the lid with a dog crest. Total weight 1229 grams, 39.5 troy ounces. Cup 855 grams, 27.4 troy ounces. Lid 374 grams,12 troy ounces. Height 26cm (to top of lid finial), 13cm (to top of cup rim). Spread across handles 23.2cm. Diameter of top 13cm. London 1745. Maker Gabriel Sleath. 18th century.
Circa 1749
David Hennell
8976 George II Antique Silver Teapot
£2,250

An early English sterling silver teapot of globular form. Early teapots were of small capacity because of the rarity of tea. Lovely plain shape with a straight spout and engraved decoration to the upper body. An attractive feature is the blobby mercury solder underneath which is completely original in the manufacture. Generally speaking bullet teapots were only made during the George II period. Weight 372 grams, 11.9 troy ounces. Height 12.5 cms (to top of handle). Spread 20.5 cms. London 1749. Maker David Hennell I.
1749
John Jacob
10147 George II Antique Silver Cream Boat
Sold

A fantastic quality serving piece of plain oval form, typical of the George II period, with a shaped border, flying scroll handle in the form of an eagle’s head and three dolphin feet. The cast silver mounts are finely modelled and very realistic. To the front is a large decorative cartouche containing a hand engraved coat of arms. Weight 190 grams, 6.1 troy ounces. Height 9.4cm (to top of handle). Spread 15cm. Width 7.3cm. London 1749. Maker John Jacob.
Circa 1750
William Townsend
9668 Set of 3 Antique Silver Cups
£5,650

A fine quality George II sterling silver cup on a spreading foot. The scroll side handles have acanthus leaf mounts. The accompanying pair of smaller silver cups make a matching set. Each cup has a large hand engraved armorial to the front within a decorative cartouche and the scratch weight incised below. Excellent colour and very heavy weight. The large cup has a presentation inscription underneath to Harold Heinz, president of the H.J Heinz company. Large cup weight 1059 grams, 34 troy ounces. Height 17.6cm. Spread 26.5cm. Diameter 14.2cm. Small cups weigh 467 grams each, 15.01 troy ounces and 471 grams, 15.10 troy ounces. Height 13cm. Spread 17cm. Diameter 10.1cm. Large cup Dublin circa 1750, maker William Townsend. Smaller cups unmarked silver.
1751
Elizabeth Godfrey
9913 George II Silver Cruet Set
£3,950

A rare early English silver cruet with two bottles for oil and vinegar and a small silver castor or pepperette. Excellent weight and large size. The heavy cut crystal bottles have multi-faceted cut decoration, typical of the period. The silver frame has an acanthus scroll carrying handle and side supports for the bottle tops and pepperette. The top of the frame has a hand engraved armorial which matches those on the bottle tops. Total weight of silver 955 grams, 30.7 troy ounces. Height 23.5cm (overall), 20.7cm (bottle), 9.5cm (pepper). Base measures 19.3 x 16.3cm. London 1751. Maker Elizabeth Godfrey, a highly respected Huguenot lady silversmith.
1753
Samuel Herbert And Company
9906 George II Silver Basket
£2,250

An elegant antique silver basket of oval form with a swing handle and rope borders. The simple basket weave decoration creates a clean classical style. Hand engraved to the centre is a large armorial within a decorative cartouche, the motto below reads “In Cruce Salus”. These handy multi-purpose serving baskets were originally used for bread and fruit but now are equally perfect for cakes or flowers. Weight 773 grams, 24.8 troy ounces. Height 7.7cm (26 cms to top of handle). Top measures 33 x 24.5cm. London 1753. Maker Samuel Herbert & Co. Sterling silver