Description

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.

Marks. Stamped with a full set of clear English silver hallmarks on the underneath.

Arms. The arms are for Manners impaling Tollemache to commemorate the marriage of John Manners (27/09/1730 – 23/09/1792), of Hanby Hall, Lincolnshire and of Buckminster, Leicestershire and Lady Louisa Tollemache (02/071745 – 22/09/1840) on the 13th February 1766. John was the eldest natural son of Lord William Manners4 and his long term mistress, Corbetta Smyth, whilst Louisa was the only surviving daughter of Lionel Tollemache, the 4th Earl of Dysart and his wife, Lady Grace Carteret. Louisa succeeded her brother, the 6th Earl of Dysart and Lord Huntingtower upon his death on the 9th March 1821.

*Britannia Standard silver. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.

Literature: Antique Silver Dinner Plates and Meat Dishes. Dinner plates were usually made in dozens and larger quantities and often came as part of a suite of dishes including soup plates, oval serving plates and mazerines. These dishes very often came from grand houses and have finely executed coats of arms.

This handsome antique silver charger is in very condition. The engraved crests are still quite sharp. Excellent colour. This platter has not been erased; there is some scratching to the top surface and a few small dinks. One small fault line to the reverse edge. Shows moderate signs of wear commensurate with age.

Maker: John Chartier

John (Jean) Chartier, son of a Huguenot refugee from Blois. This important silversmith was naturalised in 1697, made a freeman of the Goldsmiths Company in 1698, and entered 2 marks as a largeworker between 1698 and 1699. His son Daniel was apprenticed to him in 1720 and his daughter married Peze Pilleau.

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