Description

An outstanding pair of 17th century silver toilet boxes of octagonal form with pull off lids. Good size and weight. The charming decoration is a superb example of the flat chased chinoiserie style popular in the late 1600’s. Each box depicts a different scene incorporating two Chinese figures within a backdrop of architectural ruins and exotic plants and birds. At this date boxes of this type would have originally been part of an extensive toilet service.

Weight 738g, 23.7 troy oz
Width 13.7cm, 5.4 inches. Height 7.2cm, 2.8 inches.
London 1680
Maker Ralph Leake.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Each is fully stamped to the inside of the base with a full set of English silver hallmarks. One with maker’s mark twice, one with date letter partially overstriking it. The lids are stamped underneath with maker’s mark and lion passant only.
View our article on chinoiserie silver

Literature. Flat chased silver “in the Chinese taste” enjoyed a brief period of remarkable popularity from the 1670’s to the early Queen Anne period. Silverware of normal European forms was decorated with charming scenes representing Chinese figures, birds and Chinese landscapes. The concentration of nearly all surviving examples within this clearly defined period, and the similarity of decoration on objects bearing different makers marks, point to a specialist workshop not yet identified, to which silver was sent by goldsmiths or their customers for decoration. This charming decoration of Chinese figures, birds, foliage etc. is rarely found and adds considerably to the piece.

These hand made boxes are in very good condition with minor wear consistent with age. Sharp engravings.

Maker: Ralph Leake

Ralph Leake (or Leeke), London silversmith, apprenticed to plateworker Thomas Littleton 1664, free 1671. He was active in the Goldsmiths Company during this career, being appointed to Livery 1685, serving as Renter Warden 1698, becoming Assistant 1703 and serving as Touch Warden 1713. Leake left a legacy of fine silverwares, many of which are on show in museums and galleries worldwide such as: 1. silver gilt chalice and paten dated 1683-1684 in the V & A collection. 2. The Royal Hospital Chelsea has a collection of magnificent silver-gilt altar plate hall-marked 1687-8 by Ralph Leake. 3. French fountain in the Getty Museum 4. Two wine cisterns – one in the V & A, the other belonging to the Goldsmith’s Company 5. The Marquess of Winchester’s Cup, one of the outstanding pieces of the Winchester College Collection. Leake's workshop took on 9 apprentices during his busy career. An earlier Ralph Leake, maybe a cousin, was apprenticed to the King’s goldsmith-banker Sir Robert Vyner (and Lord Mayor of London) in 1645, free by service in 1656. Leake also worked with Sir Christopher Wren.

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