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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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.
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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.
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Circa 1780
Nathaniel Gillert
10285 George III Antique Silver Apple Corer
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1784
George Walker I
9849 George III Silver Beaker
£1,450
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 101g, 3.2 troy oz. Height 7.5cm. Diameter 6.5cm. Chester 1784. Maker George Walker I. Sterling silver.
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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.
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1649
Daniel Gee
10113 Commonwealth Period Antique Silver Cup
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An important piece of early English antique silver dating back to 1649, the year of King Charles I’s execution. This twin handled silver cup, with shaped side handles and spreading circular foot, is possibly a very early example of a porringer, or caudle cup. The body has a hand chased band of decoration at the top with matted roundels and punched motifs below; this more sombre decoration is associated particularly with the Commonwealth period. Superb colour. An attractive feature is the beaded and segmented decoration to the base, very reminiscent of wine tasters of this period. Hand engraved to the front are the initials “MB” surrounded by stars. Weight 286 grams, 9.1 troy ounces. Height 11.6cm. Spread across handles 16cm. Diameter 11.5cm (top), 8.6cm (base). London 1649. Maker “DG” with an anchor for Daniel Gee (*see David Mitchell’s book on “Silversmiths in Stuart and Elizabethan England”). Sterling silver.
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1732
Paul de Lamerie
9700 George II Silver Salver by Paul de Lamerie
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A large and important silver tray by the celebrated Paul de Lamerie. Of square form, and raised on stylistic bamboo feet, this exceptional salver is hand engraved with an expansive outer border of scroll and latticework interspersed with roundels containing griffin crests and classical faces. To the centre, within a decorative cartouche, is a finely executed coat of arms. Weight 1074 grams, 34.5 troy ounces. Width 26cm. Height 4.6cm. London 1732. Maker Paul de Lamerie. Sterling silver.
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