Description

A pair of superb quality silver salts by the sought after Huguenot silversmith Paul de Lamerie. Each with a beaded rim and on four scroll feet with trefid terminals. Heavy gauge metal and lovely chunky feel. The hand chased borders of decoration to the body and top of the foot are worn. Weight 338 grams, 10.8 troy ounces. Height 5 cms. Diameter 7 cms. London 1731/1732. Maker Paul de Lamerie.

These rare silver salts are in very good condition with no restoration. Good patina. There is wear to the hand chased decoration – see photos. Salt 2 has dent marks inside where the feet are pushed through a little. The silver marks are still very clear. Salt 1 is dated 1732, sterling silver standard, with makers mark LA for Paul de Lamerie, weight 169 grams. Salt 2 is dated 1731, Britannia standard silver, with makers mark PL for Paul de Lamerie, weight 169 grams. It is curious that these two fully matching salts are differently marked, possibly they originally came from two identical looking pairs. 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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