Description

A good early English silver caddy of plain rectangular design with canted corners. With sliding base and lift off cap which doubles as a tea measure. Britannia standard silver*. Excellent patina and clear marks.

Weight 192 grams, 6.1 troy ounces.
Height 13cm. Base 8 x 5cm.
London 1714.
Maker John Farnell.

Marks. The silver marks on the body are very clear and easy to read. The sliding base is marked with the lion and makers mark, the cap is unmarked which is normal for an early piece of silver.

Literature: *Britannia Standard. 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 and is always prized.