| INDEX | ALL SILVER |
| DESCRIPTION | Extraordinary antique English Georgian solid sterling silver salver of conventional form with a rather beautiful and well preserved rococo armorial engraved to the front and simple initial engraving of the period beneath. Not sure which engraving was the first but I suspect that it was the simple 'V·S' and as the owner's circumstances improved even further, maybe a beneficial marriage, the nice armorial was added about ten years later. Perhaps it was always the intention to leave the more important top surface for this later engraving. I expect it will be relatively easy to trace this distinctive armorial but as I am more interested in the makers than the owners I will leave that little bit of fun for the next person. I love the confident construction of this piece. The metal is thick, the legs are broad and strong, the silversmith has scratched the surface of the underside at the leg joints to provide grip for the solder and hold the legs on more securely and then just left the ends showing, not fussing to polish them away. To the underside of the rims, plenty of the original, strong, confident hammer marks are still clearly visible and not polished flat. The original assayers scrape is still visible and the colour of the underside indicates that we are seeing the original surface. This is what makes this piece extraordinary to me. |
| SILVERSMITH | Thomas Farren, middle period mark noted on an alms-dish of 1720. Grimwade notes that the upper device was indistinct, just as it is on our example, and goes on to say "Subordinate Goldsmith to the King 1723-42, his work at best is of fine quality and shows some influence or perhaps the use of Huguenot work. His most important pieces may be the fountain and cistern of 1728 at Burghley. He was one of four members of the Court of the Goldsmiths' Company entrusted with making new plate in 1740, his contribution being the four rococo cups and covers and pair of finely engraved salvers forming part of the principal buffet display." |
| DATE or HALLMARK | 1733 |
| ASSAY OFFICE | London |
| WEIGHT in GRAMS | 377, interesting to compare this with other similar sized examples in my 'sold salvers' section |
| WIDTH | 8", 204mm |
| SILVER STANDARD | ·925 sterling silver |
| CONDITION | extraordinarily excellent. We often wonder what these old pieces would tell us if they could talk. In this instance I think we know exactly what this piece would say and that is 'it's dark in here'. The only way this condition can be explained is by this piece spending almost all it's life in a silver chest, perhaps removed every eighty or so years for an inventory check and then put back. There are unusual little rub marks to front top section of each leg that could be from the supporting framework within the chest and unlikely to be from normal use. I have not polished this piece, only washed it to enable a thorough inspection, but it will brighten up if you want to. I think it is perfect as it is and would do nothing. Slight surface marks from light use that fit well with my theory of this piece being cherished and used by the first owner and then put away in the family vault simply as a store of wealth. |
select any image to enlarge
| SOLD |
| Price £493 |
| item number m8750 |
| Available Silver Salvers |
| email questions to silfren@btinternet.com
telephone 07563 011924 experts available 24 hours every day |