Description

A rare and important early English silver bowl from the pre Queen Anne period. Large size with charmingly quaint lions mask drop ring handles and the ribbed body decoration typical for this period. To the front there is a large hand engraved armorial set within a plummage scroll cartouche. Around the top there is a band of engraved leaves and fish scale chasing.

Britannia standard silver*.

Weight 1313 grams, 42.2 troy ounces.

Height 15 cms. Diameter 27 (top) cms, 17 cms (base).

London 1701. M

aker Robert Peake.

Literature: The silver punch bowl was not common in England until the late 17th century and even examples at that date are rare. The earliest examples are usually marked on the side. The earliest type often had a castellated detachable rim shaped to hold the foot of a glass and was called a Monteith.

*Britannia Standard. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.

This large silver bowl is in good condition and displays signs of wear you'd typically expect from a bowl of this age such as small bruises to the highlights of some of the ribbing and slightly pushed in marks on the inside where the handles are applied. Excellent colour. Very good, clear silver marks. There are no repairs to the outer rim. There is a possible repair to the foot with old mercury solder but this is just as likely have been done at the time of manufacture. The armorial engraving is later done, probably Victorian. 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: Robert Peake

Apprenticed to John Pennock 22 April 1673 and turned over to Francis Singleton. Free 3 November 1680. Mark entered as largeworker, undated, probably April 1697 on commencement of register. Address: Noble Street, where Heal records him from 1696 until 1704.

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