Description

A full size early English silver chocolate pot with a domed lid and fruit wood side handle. The top finial is detachable so that the chocolate can be stirred by inserting a swizzle stick. The pot can also be used for serving coffee. Lovely elegant plain style, simple reed borders, and with the desirable octagonal shape. Hand engraved to the front is a beautiful armorial within a cartouche flanked by cherubs and topped with a bowl of fruit.

Contains 1000ml.
Weight 846 grams, 27.2 troy ounces.
Height 25.2cm. Diameter of base 12.3cm. Spread 21.5cm.
London 1715, the first year of George I’s reign.
Maker Richard Bayley.
Britannia standard silver, high grade 95,8% purity.

Marks. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks, the lid edge and finial both with the lion mark.

Arms. The arms, Azure a fess wavy between three goats’ heads erased Argent, being on a lozenge and without a crest, are those of a lady of the Sidley or Sedley family of Kent. A prime candidate is Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester.

Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester, Countess of Portmore (21 December 1657 – 26 October 1717), daughter of Sir Charles Sedley, 5th Baronet of Aylesford, was the mistress of King James II both before and after he came to the throne. Catherine was not noted for beauty but for her wittiness and sharp tongue.

Britannia Standard. In 1696 the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent with new hallmarks – “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.

Literature: Coffee and chocolate were brought to England in the mid 17th century and were established as part of social life by the end of the century. Coffee pots can be found from the 1680’s onwards. Initially, these tall form pots were used for both coffee and chocolate however we now term chocolate pots to be those with either a removable finial or removable lid for inserting a swizzle stick.

The silver pot is in very good condition. The engraving is sharp. The octagonal sides are good at the edges. This pot has been tested for water retention and does not leak. Shows minimal signs of wear commensurate with age as would be expected.

Maker: Richard Bayley

Richard Bayley was apprenticed to Charles Overing in 1699 and turned over to John Gibbons in 1704. Free 1706. First mark entered in 1708 at Foster Lane, London, 2nd mark 1720, third mark 1732. Warden of the Goldsmiths Company 1746-8. Prime warden 1751*. He was known for his good plain hollow-ware such as tankards, jugs, tea and coffee pots. His son, Richard, was apprenticed to Samuel Spindler in 1713.

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