Description

A top quality antique silver strainer dish of oval form with a plain border. Excellent design and the quality you’d expect from this world famous English silversmith. Hand engraved to the centre with an armorial and the crest “Deo Regi Patria” for Duncombe impaling Campbell. The mazarine is designed to be used on top of an oval platter so that the decorative piercing would allow the juices to drain onto the platter below. To the reverse is inscribed the scratchweight 27=9 and the number “1” in script.

Weight 852 grams, 27.3 troy ounces.
Length 44.5cm, width 29.5cm.
London 1745.
Maker Paul de Lamerie.
Sterling silver.

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.

Arms. Duncombe impaling Campbell, likely for Octavius Duncombe (1817-1879) and his wife. The motto “Deo Regi Patria” translates as “For God and Country”

This handsome antique silver strainer is in very condition with no apparent damage or restoration. Stamped underneath with a full set of clear 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: Paul de Lamerie

Paul de Lamerie (9 April 1688–1 August 1751). The Victorian and Albert Museum describes him as the "greatest silversmith working in England in the 18th century". Born in Bois-le-Duc, his French Huguenot family chose to follow William of Orange to England during the Glorious Revolution. In August 1703, de Lamerie became the apprentice to a London goldsmith of Huguenot origin, Pierre Platel (1659-1739). De Lamerie opened his own workshop in 1713 (1st mark "LA" - Britannia mark) and was appointed goldsmith to George I in 1716. 2nd mark 1733 - sterling mark). He worked in partnership with Ellis Gamble - formerly apprentice to Master William Hogarth- between 1723 and 1728. His early work is in the simple Queen Anne style, following classical French models, but de Lamerie is noted for his elaborate rococo style of the 1730s, particularly the richly-decorated works of an unidentified craftsman, the Maynard Master. Leaving his first premises in Great Windmill Street he moved to 40 Gerrard Street in 1738. Here he lived and probably had his shop, his workshops being located in one of the 48 properties he owned in the area. His customers included Tsarinas Anna and Catherine, Count Aleksey, Sir Robert Walpole, Benjamin Mildmay (Earl Fitzwalter and Viscount Harwich), the Earl of Ilchester, the Earl of Thanet, Viscount Tyrconnell, the Duke of Bedford, and other members of the English aristocracy. He also worked for King George V of Portugal. One of his productions to the Portuguese Court was a huge solid silver bath tub lost in the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake. A two-handled silver cup and cover by Paul de Lamerie, dated 1720, was among the wedding gifts of Queen Elizabeth II. Paul de Lamerie ranks as one of the stars of England’s finest period of silver. He was the most prolific silversmith of his time and his fame still lives on today.

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