Provincial
Since medieval times British silver has been supervised under the jurisdiction of the Goldsmith’s Company in London according to royal covenants and statutes. Outside London, various towns from time to time have been named as Assay Towns – Chester, Norwich, Newcastle, Exeter, York and Bristol. Beyond that, there is a history of provincial silversmiths and minor centres such as Barnstaple, Hull, Kings Lynn, Leeds, Plymouth, Taunton, Truro and others. Although certain information has become available over the years, this fascinating field is still very under researched and remains somewhat of a mystery.
Provincial
Since medieval times British silver has been supervised under the jurisdiction of the Goldsmith’s Company in London according to royal covenants and statutes. Outside London, various towns from time to time have been named as Assay Towns – Chester, Norwich, Newcastle, Exeter, York and Bristol. Beyond that, there is a history of provincial silversmiths and minor centres such as Barnstaple, Hull, Kings Lynn, Leeds, Plymouth, Taunton, Truro and others. Although certain information has become available over the years, this fascinating field is still very under researched and remains somewhat of a mystery.
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1632
Pelican in her piety
10197 Antique Norwich Silver Wine Cup
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An exceptionally rare piece of early East Anglian provincial silver dating to the reign of Charles I. The silver cup, of plain simple form, has a tapering bowl with cast baluster stem and spreading foot. Contains 120ml. Weight 118 grams, 3.7 troy ounces. Height 13cm. Diameter 7.8 (top), 6.8cm (foot). Norwich 1632. Maker’s mark “Pelican in her Piety”. Sterling silver. 17th century.
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Circa 1690
Katherine Mangy
10186 William and Mary Antique Hull Silver Tumbler Cup
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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.
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Circa 1691
9800 William and Mary Provincial Silver Beaker
£5,750>
A rare piece of British provincial silver. A Scottish or Yorkshire silver beaker of plain, tapered cylindrical form having a plain base with simple foot wires. The underside displays very prominent soldering – see condition report. Contains 250 ml. Weight 158 grams, 5 troy ounces. Height 9.9 cm. Diameter 7.8 cm. Yorkshire or Scotland circa 1691. Maker’s mark “Crown over S.S”.
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1784
George Walker I
9849 George III Silver Beaker
£1,950>
A very nice piece of English provincial silver. This rare antique silver beaker, of barrel form, has 2 concentric bands and vertical line engraving to represent the pieces of wood forming the barrel. Underneath are the engraved initials S.M.D. Contains 175ml. Weight 101 grams, 3.2 troy ounces. Height 7.5cm. Diameter 6.5cm. Chester 1784. Maker George Walker I. Sterling silver.
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1787
John Langlands I & John Robertson I
9845 George III Newcastle Silver Mug
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A good piece of antique provincial silver. An antique sterling silver mug of plain baluster design. The simple scroll handle is engraved with owners initials. Uninscribed. Contains 500 ml. Weight 317 grams, 10.1 troy ounces. Height 12.8 cm. Diameter 8.3 cm. Newcastle 1787. Maker John Langland I and John Robertson I.
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1799
John Langland
9409 Antique Newcastle Silver Lidded Tankard
£1,950>
English provincial silver. A good antique sterling silver tankard with domed hinged lid and plain baluster design. Sterling silver. The handle has attractive strapwork to the top and a heart shape decoration to the base. Good size. Contains 1,050 ml. Weight 816 grams, 26.2 troy ounces. Height 22.5cm (to thumbpiece). Diameter 10.2cm (top). Spread 18 cms. Newcastle 1799. Maker John Langlands.
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1819
James Barber & William Whitwell
9514 Antique York Silver Wine Funnel
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A rare provincial silver wine strainer with embossed scrolls and flowers and shell thumb piece. Sterlijng silver. Good weight and colour. Weight 101 grams, 3.2 troy ounces. Length 13.7 cm. Diameter 9.1 cms. York circa 1819 (date mark rubbed). Maker Barber & Whitwell.
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Circa 1830
Donald Fraser
10229 Scottish Provincial Antique Silver Wine Jug
£6,950>
A stunning antique silver ewer made in the Scottish provincial town of Inverness. This rare piece of collectible silver has an elegant vase shaped form and is decorated with cast silver borders, the lid surmounted by a grape and vine leaf finial, the lower body wrapped with vertical straps of flower and leaf ornament. Fantastic heavy quality from top to toe. Contains 1050 ml. Weight 1183 grams, 38 troy ounces. Height 28.5cm. Spread 20cm. Inverness circa 1830. Maker Donald Fraser. Sterling silver. 19th century.