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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Provincial

Circa 1574
Lawrence Stratford
10321 Elizabeth I Antique Silver Chalice
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Originating from the English provincial town of Dorchester in Dorset, this fine early English chalice dates to the reign of Elizabeth I. It has the standard design for Elizabethan communion cups with straight tapering sides and a slightly flared top; with wire ornament applied to the stem and hammered egg and dart frieze to the foot. The beautifully hatched decorative bands below the top edge of the cup are typical for the period, they are well executed and with good definition. Most likely this cup has been made from pre-reformation silver and it has the lovely hand beaten finish you’d expect at this date. The removable cover (paten) bears the date of 1574. Superb antique colour.
Contains 250 ml. Chalice weight 231 grams, 7.4 troy oz. Height 20.2cm, diameter of top 9.9cm. Cover weight 55 grams, 1.7 troy oz. Height 2.4cm, diameter 9cm. London c.1574.
Maker’s mark only for Lawrence Stratford. Sterling silver. 16th century.
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.
1709
Richard Freeman
10330 Queen Anne Antique Silver Tazza
£1,650

English provincial silver. A lovely little silver footed salver with a simple reed border and pedestal foot. Beautiful plain style typical of the period. Good weight. Hand engraved to the centre is a large decorative cartouche containing a boar crest. Weight 143 gm, 4.5 troy oz. Height 5cm. Diameter 15.3cm. Exeter 1709. Maker Richard Freeman. Sterling silver.
1725
Matthew Cooper
10334 George I Antique Silver Snuffer Set
£10,750

A very rare all-matching 4 piece silver desk set. It is extremely unusual to find a complete set of this early date. The suite consists of silver candlesticks, silver snuffer tray and silver snuffer scissors. All with a matching hand engraved boar crest. Lovely plain style in keeping with the period. Cast candlesticks – the square shaped bases with incuse corners. Weight 785g, 25.2 troy oz. Height 15.4cm. Base 10.4cm. Snuffer stand – of square shaped form with incuse corners, raised on four ball feet. Weight 156g, 5 troy oz. Length 15.5 x 7.6cm. Candle snuffer scissors – the simple open and shut mechanism retains the original steel cutting plates. Weight 62g, 2 troy oz. Length 12.2cm. London 1725. Maker Matthew Cooper I. Sterling silver.
Circa 1780
Nathaniel Gillert
10285 George III Antique Silver Apple Corer
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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.
1799
John Langland
9409 Antique Newcastle Silver Lidded Tankard
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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.
1811
Dorothy Langland
10246 George III Silver Cup
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A handsome antique silver cup with twin side handles and raised on a pedestal foot. Lovely plain form and good gauge silver. Contains 750ml. Weight 526 grams, 16.9 troy ounces. Height 17.4cm. Diameter of top 11.1cm. Spread 21.5cm. London 1811. Maker Dorothy Langland. Sterling silver. 19^th century.
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.
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. 19^th century.