Description

A charming piece of chinoiserie silver. A rare early antique silver tankard of straight sided form with bands of reed to the top and a simple strap handle. Small size. The hand engraved decoration has a naive oriental scene incorporating Chinese people and exotic birds. To the front is a vacant cartouche with intertwined foliage. An attractive feature is the blobby mercury solder underneath which is completely original in the manufacture.

Contains 160ml.
Weight 280g, 9 troy oz.
Height 8.8cm. Diameter 7.4cm (top).
London 1692.
Maker John Crutall.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks. The maker’s mark “IC mullet below” see Jacksons Page 137. David Mitchell attributes this mark to probably John Cruttall.

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 Chinamen, 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.

Click here to read our article on Chinoiserie Silver

This historic silver mug is in very good condition, consistent with its age. Bright colour. The cup has been tested for water retention and doesn’t leak. There are a couple of minor faults on the top rim and the top of the handle is slightly pushed in. Some wear to the engravings.

Maker: John Cruttall

John Cruttall, London silversmith, apprenticed to Francis Harris 1647, turned over to Daniel Rutty 1652, free 1655. During his career Cruttall bound 18 apprentices of whom 7 became free this unusually large number signifies a very active workshop. Described by David Mitchell as “a skilled as well as honest plateworker” Cruttall was employed by the goldsmith-banker Sir Stephen Evance (who subsequently became Jeweller to the King and was knighted). Cruttall died circa 1695.

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