Description

An excellent pair of antique sterling silver serving dishes of shaped oval form with crisp gadroon borders. Engraved to the front there is a fine armorial, the motto reading “Finem respice” which means “look to the end”; we are told that these are the arms of John Bligh, the 3rd Earl of Darnley. Of staggered size, the medium platter nests perfectly inside the larger platter. Weight 2166 grams (69.6 troy ounces). The larger platter measures 44.5 x 31.5 cms. The medium platter measures 39 x 26.5 cms. London 1770. Maker Parker & Wakelin.

These excellent silver plates are in very good condition with no damage or restoration. They have not been machine polished and retain a good antique colour. With clear and fully matching English silver hallmarks. The hand engraved armorials still retain good definition with a little wear. There is some slight surface scratching to the surface. 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: John Parker & Edward Wakelin

Edward Wakelin, apprenticed to John le Sage June 1730, free 1748. By 1747 he had joined the famous George Wickes at Panton Street, entered his first mark (2 sizes) which was almost indistinguishable from the mark of George Wickes, and during the period 1747-1760 Wakelin took virtual charge of the silver side of Wickes’ business. By 1752, Wickes was already making retirement plans although the formal date of the hand over to Wakelin, and his new partner, John Parker I was dated 1760. Wakelin, in partnership with John Parker I, entered a new mark circa 1758-1761 where Parker's initials appear above Wakelin's, suggesting that he became the senior partner at this point. John Parker I and Edward Wakelin retired in 1777 and the business was continued by John Wakelin, Edward's son, and William Taylor. Edward Wakelin was a man of extraordinary business acumen. He bought into an established business and possessed the ability to ensure its continued success. He employed talented, but mainly anonymous silversmiths at Panton Street, outsourcing what he was unable to make. Two of these highly skilled silversmiths were James Ansill and Stephen Gilbert, former apprentices of George Wickes, who never entered a mark while working for Parker and Wakelin, but in 1780 Stephen Gilbert entered a mark in partnership with Andrew Fogelberg that continued until 1793. It is highly probable that Sebastian and James Crespel learnt their trade under Edward Wakelin and there was a definite financial connection between the Crespels and Wakelin and Parker.

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