Description

An excellent Georgian sterling silver meat dish, or serving dish, of shaped oval form with an applied gadroon border. It’s very rare to find an antique dish like this still complete with its original mazerine strainer. Hand engraved to one side of the platter and to the centre of the strainer with a hand engraved armorial. Marked number 17, this platter has come from a very large and important dinner service. Total weight 2984 grams (2409+575), 95.9 troy ounces. Platter length 51 cms, width 37.5 cms. Mazerine length 42 cms, width 28.5 cms. London 1769. Maker Sebastian James Crespell.

Literature: From the late 17th century large dinner services were made for the rich and noble dining tables. Originally comprising sets of dinner plates, chargers and serving dishes, later in the 18th century many other items were added including entree dishes, tureens and sauce boats. From 1740 at least one dish with a detachable pierced strainer, known as a ‘mazarine’, would be supplied with each service; this type of dish was intended to hold such food as boiled fish.

This handsome antique silver charger and strainer are in very condition with no damage or restoration. The platter and mazerine are matching and fit well together. The engraved crests are matching and still quite sharp. Both with a full set of clear and matching English silver hallmarks. Excellent colour. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Maker: Sebastian & James Crespel

Sebastian & James Crespel, London silversmiths, no record of their apprenticeship or freedom. Their mark is assumed to have been entered in the missing largeworkers’ register circa 1760. The Crespels are noted in Edward Wakelin’s workmen registers and it’s likely that they learnt their trade in Wakelin’s workshop; the entry for 1769 records them as supplying plates and dishes, which seem to constitute their greatest output. Their careers certainly seem to have been tied to Wakelin and from 1782 it’s likely that all pieces bearing their mark went through the latters' hands. From 1788 Wakelin’s ledger account is headed 'James Crespel', indicating Sebastian's probable death or retirement. The ledgers finish in October 1806 without any apparent successor to the business. James Crespel had at least four sons apprenticed in the trade.

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