Antique Silver: Hall Marks On Gold And Silver Plate

Page 1

HALL MARKS ON

GOLD & SILVER PLATE ILLUSTRATED WITH REVISED TABLES OE

ANNUAL DATE LETTERS KMPI.OVKD IN

W>\m

^ssan (fficfs

of CBnglauD,

%otlantr anb 3'rflnnb,

BY

WILLL^M CHAFFERS, AUTHOR OP "marks AND MONOGRAMS ON EUROPEAN AND ORIENTAL POTTKRY AND PORCELAIN, "THR KRRAMIC gallery," "lirSTORYOF E>JGLISH GOLDSMITHS (GTLB A AL'RTPABRORUM)."

Extended and Enlarg:ed, and with the Addition of New Date Letters and Marks, and a Bibliography. Also incorporating Makers' Marks from the "Qilda Aurifabrorum." EDITED BY MAJOR

MARK

AL'TflOR OP

C. A. HAM, F.S.A. "the church PLATE OP THE COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON,"

LONDON:

REEVES AND TURNER, 83 CHARTNG CROSS ROAD, W.C.

MCMXXU {All rights reserved.'}

ETC.


DEDICATED TO ^Tljt

(!?0llrsmitljs'

Compang

of ionboii,

WITH THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE

WARDENS AND COURT OF

ASSISTANTS.

GIFT

Printed

bij

The New Temple Press, Korhury Crescent, London, S.W.lG,


Opus quale

1

ignis probabit."

sit,

(Motto

Cou.

of the Goldsmiths'

iii,

13.

Company

of Boxien.}

THE GOLDSMITHS' COMPANY

T

HE

"

To

following account of the Goldsmiths'

plate of their arms in the clerk's office

Worthy Members of "

the R' Worship^'

Wisheth Event of

from a

with the rest of

Company

&

is

:

& Wardens

Master Warden

the

Company

the

of Goldsmiths.

humbly dedicates

this

The R' Worship'^ Company of Goldsmiths London, bear

for

T. B.

all Felicity

Plate. "

Ensigne Armorial

their

Quarterly, Gules and Azure; In the i"

:

g

and 2

1

Leopards head Or.

a

4*''

Buckles of the last

.Scales,

her

Lady

denty*

:

On

In y 2^

in

3'*

Cup covered between

a

a Helmet a Wreath of their Colours, a

Arms extended

e

&

&

proper, in y Dexter

hand a Pair of

e

y Sinister an Ingot as y

Gold Underneath on an Escrole

Supported by

3^^.

for their

Unicorns

2

Motto JUSTITA vlRTUTU^r Patron, St. Dunstan.

REGIN.'\.

"It

to

is

y

v'ery

great LIcmour of this

Persons of Eminent worth in Antient inrolled

among them

Company,

& Modern e

(particularly) in y

that severall

times,

have been e

.

Reigne of Hen

Leofstane Goldsmith, was Provost of this City.

:

I**

1

:

I**

Reigne of *

1280.

i'*

of

That Gregory Rokcsby Goldsmith continued Maior That W" Farringdon Goldsmith was Sheriff 9*" of

189.

7 year together.

Edw

first

That Henry Fitz

Alwin Fitz Leofstane Goldsmith was Maior of London: Rich:

y

&

Edw^

e his son Nicholas after 2 1308.

Dainty, an old word

ioi-

him 4 times

L**

Major

in y

Besides King Prince Earle Lord and L* fine or elegant, here used for

ladv.

697

an elegantly dressed


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

vi

They were Incorporated

Maiors.

dcn L^ Maior.

Gilbert Mafleld,

of Rich: 2* 1392.

16'*'

Tho

Newington

:

W"^ Ston-

Sheriffs.

"

Their Mansion Hall Scituate Foster I^ane London.

"

London Printed for at the

Shop

Kings head

T. Bozver Painter

in

Budge

and

Sold

are to be

at

Jiis

Roiu."

Their crest and supporters were granted in 1591.

Fi^efcvce

Te/ith

ihe

to

Editio/i.

present edition of this work has been thoroughly revised,

THE

and extended by the inclusion of portions of

Aurifabrorum," "

The

and the

addition

History of L'Orfev'rerie

"

of

tables

the

"

Gilda

of maker's marks.

has however been omitted from this

edition, as not being pertinent to a

book on hall marks on English

plate.

Some new marks have been added some

forty,

to this edition,

and of

these,

comprising the leopards' heads, lions passant, sovereigns'

heads and local assay

office

Shepard, of the Heralds'

marks, have been drawn by Major T.

Office,

Dublin Castle; and the remainder

of the new marks by the editor. The whole of these have been taken

from various pieces of letters,

silver,

with the exception of the present date

which have been furnished by the assay masters, and the

foreign marks, which have been taken, by permission, from

London

"

The

Gazette."

Especial care has been taken w-ith reference to the shape of the shield or other form enclosing the various marks and letters; is

believed that these marks are accurate

that this

work

will be useful to all those

and

who

reliable.

It is

and

it

hoped

require in a convenient,

form, information respecting the marks on gold and silver for the

purpose of readily fixing the date and of plate.

office

of assay of any piece


PREFACE TO TENTH EDITION. Many

of the

letters

included in the tables of

Office letters were the copyright of the late Mr.

F

"

S.A., author of

Old English

Plate,"

and by

W.

vii

London Assay J.

Cripps, C.B.^

the courtesy

and ex-

press permission of his representatives they are used in this book.

Our thanks furnished

are due to the

information,

to

Assay Masters, who have so kindly

enable

us

to

complete

the

various

alphabets.

We

are indebted to the courtesy of Earl Spencer, K.G., for per-

mission to reproduce as our frontispiece one of a pair of silver Pil-

grim Bottles, which It

bears the

is

London

very massive and of beautiful workmanship. hall

marks

for

170 1-2, and

is

twenty-four

inches in height.* C. A.

MARKHAM,

F.S.A.

*

Lord Spencer in}ierited this charming specimen of the silversmith's art from his ancestor, Jolm Chixrchill, Duke of Marlborough, K.G., who was born June 24, 1650, and died June IC, 1722. On the front of this bottle is engraved the achievement of the duke, above crossed swords, pikes and cannon. His Grace, as a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, so created November 14, 1705, bore his arms enclosed by the Garter, upon the Breast of the Roman Eagle, with two heads sable, armed or, and ensigned with an imperial crown labelled proper.

The arms

are. Quarterly, First, Sable, a lion rampant argent, on a canton of the second a cross f/ules, for Ohurchill. Second, Bendy of ten, argent and azure, within a bordiire or, for Willyard. Third, Argent, a fess indented or and gules, for Tyle. Fourth, Per pale. Dexter. Gules a tree eradicated proper. Sinister, Azure, a lion- rampant argent, for Winston. An escutcheon of pretence. Argent on a fess gules three bezants, for Jennings.

The supporters In a

scroll

are.

the motto,

Tivo ivyvems, icings elevated gules. " Fiel

pero desdicado."


nPHE

the

to

PrefoyCe

Fii^st

Edition.

Tables of Assay Office Letters here given will be found

Of

more complete than any hitherto published. have already appeared, the

1

697

;

printed about thirty years since by a

Lane was a short

printer in St. Anne's

from the year

first

those which

of alphabetical

list

letters

but they were badly formed, and printed with-

out being- compared with the actual marks on the plate

itself.

Mr. Octavius Morgan, in 1853, produced an improved Table of the Annual Assay Office Letters of the Goldsmiths' Hall of

London, tracing them back to the his lists with the

comparing the Records

He

tion.

fifteenth century,

marks on the

plate, consulting also

and Minutes of the Goldsmiths' Company

tells

us

from the year

that

escutcheons were used to enclose the

1558

in its

have endeavoured to supply

for confirma-

regularly

formed

but unfortunately did

letters,

not show us what their forms were, only giving the I

and carefully

this defect

letters.

by placing each

letter

a most important aid in determining the date

proper shield

of a piece of plate, where several alphabets of different dates are similar.

Some

years since

I

All these are

Letters.

numerous

friends,

I

also printed a small sheet of

now

have been induced to publish one on a more

embracing the Marks used

scale,

Offices of

England, Scotland and Ireland.

at the principal

Although a great proportion of the plate made in

I

am

in

Assay

England was

London, yet other towns, from an early period, had the

like privilege.

and

Office

out of print, and, at the request of

extended

stamped

Assay

Scotland also had

its

Assay

Office at

Edinburgh,

enabled, through the perseverance and untiring zeal of Mr.


PREFACE TO SIXTH EDITION. J.

H. Sanderson of that city

the Goldsmiths'

ix

(in carefully consulting the

Company, and comparing them with

Records of

pieces of old

Scotch plate), to give a correct Table of the Assay Letters used there

from the year his trouble

i68i.

and kind

I

take this opportunity of thanking him for

assistance.

In Ireland, the principal Assay Office was at Dublin, and the

Corporation of

Edmond

Goldsmiths of that

city,

Johnston, Esq., liberally granted

me

through their

permission to examine

their Records, and, with the assistance of Mr. calf, their

me

Clerk (who furnished

Acts by which they are governed), Office Letters

Assay

Impressions in

Thomas Ryves Met-

with extracts from the local

am

I

Master,

enabled to give a List of

used there since 1646.

wax

or gutta-percha of early

plate, especially those with

stamps on ancient

engraved dates of presentation, will be

very acceptable, that the blanks in the earlier cycles

may

be filled up

satisfactorily.

W. CHAFFERS.

Preffice

to

Sixth Edition.

the

offering the Sixth Edition of

IN prefatory

HALL MARKS ON

PLATE," a feiv

remarks are necessary to explain that numerous addi-

have been made

tions

"

in

the

various

sections.

All

the

recent

enactments have been consulted, and the important clauses embodied in the work. is

The whole has undergone

essentially a

careful revision,

grains

some

it

book of reference for Plate Collectors and Gold-

smiths, due attention has been paid in giving facilities

purpose.

and as

The new

Act, abolishing

and dividing the Troy ounce

difficulty to

for that

the use of pennyweights

and

into thousandths, has caused

goldsmiths in weighing plate by the new weights,


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

X

but tables of comparison are given to remedy the temporary in-

decimal

convenience of the

The Report of

system.

Committee of the House of Commons

the

Select

1879 o^ the Hall-marking

in

of Gold and Silver will show what reforms were considered desirable,

although no action has yet been taken by the Government.

In

consequence of the importation of vast quantities of foreign plate of an inferior quality,

Kingdom by an Act

its

of 1875, unless assayed and stamped at the

Hall, with an additional

The Tables Offices

United

sale has been prohibited in the

mark denoting

of Date Letters of the

its

foreign manufacture.

London and

Provincial Assay

have received especial attention, and a number of Hall-marks

of the Provinces hitherto unappropriated are inserted under their respective cities

and towns, with

hints for the further elucidation

of the subject, thereby preventing the destruction of

ing pieces which from being

unknown have

many

interest-

hitherto been consigned,

to the crucible.

So many additions having been made throughout, to

do more than

refer to the fact that nearly a

it is

needless

hundred -pages of new

matter and five hundred fresh marks have been introduced. pleasing duty remains to be performed,

thanks to several gentlemen tion,

and have

viz.,

who have given

to express our grateful

us important informa-

assisted us materially in elucidating

portions of our History of Hall

Marks on

But a

many

obscure

Their names will

Plate.

be found recorded in the body of the work, yet a few must be specially noticed

accorded us on

Company and

in

all

anticipation.

The

occasions by the

their

clerk,

urbanity

Wardens of

Mr. Walter Prideaux,

obliging attention of the Deputy Warden, Mr. our warmest thanks.

Our

inquiries

have met with immediate attention.

Hancocks and

W.

the Goldsmiths'

aided by the Robinson, merit

and communications made

the Assay masters of Chester, Sheffield,

firm of Messrs.

and great help

To

and other provincial

to

offices,

Mr. Horatio Stewart, of the

Co., cur especial

thanks are due

in


PREFACE TO SIXTH EDITION.

xi

supplying us with careful drawings of Hall-marks, taken by their artist

from

all pieces

of ancient plate which have

The

notice for the last twenty years.

m.uch

wc

come under

reader will also perceive

are indebted to the assistance of the Right

of Breadalbane in plate collected

by

allowmg us

his

Lordship

to

are also

copy the marks on examples of

in illustration of those of the

due to [the

late]

Mr.

W.

make some important additions and our Tables of London and provincial date

sion to

interesting work, entitled

how

Hon. the Earl

Burghs of Scotland, which have hitherto been involved

Our thanks

their

"Old English

J.

Royal

in mystery.

Cripps for permis-

corrections in several of letters

contained in his

Plate"; and to the same

gentleman for permitting us to print certain other matter, including

some

authorities given

by Mr.

J.

H. Sanderson for the Tables of

Edinburgh Hall Marks, which originally appeared actions of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

have appeared to Mr.

J.

in our previous editions,

in

the Trans-

These tables

and we rendered our thanks

H. Sanderson in the Preface to the

first

edition of 1863,

but the property in Mr. Sanderson's work and notes passed to [the late]

Mr. Cripps.

W. CHAFFERS. 1883.

ADDENDA. for

Our thanks are due to Mr. John Crichton, A.ssay Master, at Edinburgh, particulars of the marks used at the Goldsmiths' Hall at that city.



CONTENTS. PAGE

Preface to the Tenth Edition Preface to the First Edition Preface to the Sixth Edition

vi

...

viii

ix

Addenda Contents

xi xiii

...

List of Illustrations Introduction

xix

Ecclesiastical Plate

Coronation Plate Corporation Plate Domestic Plate Standing Cups Ewers and Basins Standing Salts Spoons Forks

xvii

...

...

...

...

XXX

...

xxxix .

xlii

.

xliii

xlv ...

li

...

liv

Iv Ivii

Candlesticks

Iviii

English Goldsmiths Table op Statutes and Ordinances Extracts from Statutes, Ordinances,

1 64 etc.

Standards: Leopard's Head Goldsmiths' Charter The Goldsmiths' Ordinances Assay Marks Marks Appointed Exports Forbidden Goldsmiths' Charter Gilding Inferior Metals Prohibited ... ... ... Cutlers and Goldsmiths ... ... Price of Gilt Silver Limited Standard of Gold and Silver Provincial Offices Exports Goldsmiths' Charter .. Standard of IS-carat Gold Assay of Gold and Silver ... Goldsmiths' Charter Standards of Gold and Silver: 22-carat Gold Revived Standards and Price of Gold and Silver Ware, 22-carat Gold New Standard of Silver (of 11 oz. 10 dwts.) and Marks Provincial Offices Reappointed ... The Newcastle Act ... Old Standard Silver of 11 oz. 2 dwts. Revived Duty of 6d. per :

oz. Imposed Makers to Destroy Existing Marks and Adopt Fresh Types Exemptions Silver Wire ...

Duty Licence of

2 in Lieu of

Duty

...

IC

68 68 70 71 72

73 74 74 74 75

75 76 77 77 78

78 80 81 81

85 87 89 90 93 95 97 97 97


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

XIV

Extracts from Statutes, Ordinances, Licence Increased to

Birmingham and

Mark

Duty.

5

...

Sheffield

of the King's

Diuty Increased

...

...

etc.

paob

continued.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Head ...

... ... Duty on Watch Cases Repealed ... ... ... ... ... Drawback on Plate Foreign Plate to be Assayed and Stamped ... Criminal Law Consolidation. 22-carat Gold ... Reduced Standards of Gold of 15, 12 and 9-c.arats Wedding Rings Drawback between Great Britain and Ireland Annual Licences

... ... Foreign Plate Notice by the Goldsmiths' Company Notice to the Trade Issued in August, 1878, by the Goldsmiths'

Company

...

...

...

...

...

...

100 Reward Notice by the Goldsmiths' Company. The Duty on Gold and Silver Plate Abolished ... ... Allowance of Drawback on Silver Plate

The

...

...

...

...

...

...

St.a;ndard

Weights Assay ... ... Directions for Assaying Assay by Means of the Spectroscope

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

... ... ... ... Waste and Sweep ... The Trial of the Pyx and Standard Trial Plates

The Duty

Enactments

...

...

...

...

...

...

... ... ... ... ... Notices to the Trade ... Extract from the Report of the Committee of the House of ... mons Plate Marked with False Punches and Other Table OP Marks

Offences

...

... ...

I.

...

The Leopard's Head The Maker's Mark

m.-Date Mark The Standard Mark The Lion's Head Erased, and Figure

IV.

of Britannia

...

V.Duty Mark

VI. Tlie Mark for Foreign Plate ... Tjondon Assay Office Letters Chronological List OP English Plate London Gold and Silver Smiths Spoon Makers' Marks Provincial Assay Offices The Hall Marks of Assay Towns Barnstable

Birmingham Birmingham Assay

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

27G 280 282 283 288

...

291 293 293 300

Examples Coventry

Exetr

Exeter Assay

...

Office Letters

...

...

...

...

...

Examples Hull

Example Lincohi ... ... ... Newcastle-upon-Tyne Newcastle-upon-Tyne Assay Office Letters

Examples Norwich Examples

171 173 173 174 179 184 207 269 275 275 275

...

Bristol ...

148 150 164 166 167 167 169 170

...

Office Letters

Chester Chester Assay Office Letters

110'

110 115 115 118 125 131 135 137 137 138 142 147 147

Com-

Standards Engl.and II.

97 98 98 100 100 101 101 103 106 107 107 107 110

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

303 304 304 304 305 308 310 311 312


CONTENTS. Provincial Assay Offices. Salisbury Sheffield Sheffield

...

Assay

XV

continued.

page

...

Office Letters

Examples York Examples Scotland Goldsmiths. Marks Appointed Goldsmiths' Marks Penalties for Fraud

...

...

...

...

...

...

'

Power

... of Search Charter of Incorporation

Mark

of the Thistle Introduced Sale of Plate Prohibited in Scotland unless Assayed and ... at Edinburgh or Glasgow

Marked

Gold Silver

Gold

a ud Silver

Licences SCOTL.AND

Plate Duty, Scotland

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Edinburgh I.- The Standard Mark II.-The Hall Mark III. The Date Mark IV. The Duty Mark v. The Maker's Mark The Mark for Foreign Plate ... Edinburgh Assay Office Letters List of Plate from whioli the Annual Letters have been taken, of them dates ... ... many bearing Examples Glasgow ... ... ... ... ... ... Glasgow Assay Office Letters Examples ... Scottish Provincial Marks: ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Aberdeen ... ... ... Arbroath Banff

Examples Dundee (Angus) Examples

...

...

Elgin

Greenock

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Inverness

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

.

.

...

...

...

...

...

...

Examples Leith

Examples Montrose (Angus) Perth Examples St.

Andrews

...

(Fife)

Stirling ... Tain (Koss-shire) ... ... ... Uncertain Scottish Marks ... ... Ireland Dublin. Charter of Incorporation ... ... Standards. Legal Punches ... Duty Imposed' and Mark of Hibernia ... Reduced Standards of Gold. New Geneva ... Dublin Assay Office Marks ... Gold

Silver

...

...

...

...

Foreign Plate Assayed and Marked Reduced Standards of Gold

Drawback

...

3I3 313 318 320 320 322 323 323 324 324 324 325 326

...

...

.

.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

327 328 328 329 329 330 330 330 330 331 331 331 332 334

337 339 340 344 346 347 347 347 347 348 348 348 348 349 349 349 349 350 350 350 350 351 351 352 352 353 353 353 354 354 355 355 355 356 356 356


XVI

HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

Ireland. continued Gold and Silver Plate DutyPlate Dealers' Licences in Ireland King's Head Duty-Mark. Duty Increased

Standard of Silver Improved I. The Standard Mark II. The Hall Mark III. The Duty Mark IV. The Maker's Mark v. The Date Mark The Assay Mark for Foreign Plate Dublin Assay Office Letters

Examples Ohronological List op Specimens of Irish Plate Bibliography ... Authorities on Gold and Silver Ware ... Index

356 357 358 358 359 359 360 360 360 361 364 367

368 373 374 385


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FAOB

Silver Pilgrim Bottle

Cup Communon Cup and Cover Paten Communion Cup ... Alms Dish, Peterborough Cathedral

Communion Silver

...

...

xxxviii

...

To face

p. xxxviii

Mounted Cocoanut

xlvi

To face

Cup

xlix

Small Silver Jug Small Silver Cup

1

li

Silver Gilt Flagon Silver Spoon Silver Apostle

lii

Spoon

Silver Seal

Head Spoon Maid Ivi

...

Silver Candlestick

Iviii

Seal of Sir George Heriot

Chester Assay Ofl&ce

p. xlvii xlviii

or Porringer

enhead Spoon

xxxvi xxxvii

Service

Silver Gilt Standing Small Silver Beaker

Cup

Frontispiece xxvii

29

To face

p. 285



INTRODUCTION. "

Money

spent in the purchase of well-designed plate, of precious

engraved vases, cameos, or enamels, does good RasKiN, "'The Stones

to

humanity."

of Venice," 11, vi, 18.

more beautiful craft has been practised by mankind than the craft of gold and silver smith ? From the earliest times of which we have any record, vessels of gold and " vessels of silver, made for pleasure and for state," have been objects

WHAT

of universal admiration.

have expended

their power in producing articles Dominico Ghirlandajo, who metals. precious flourished towards the end of the fifteenth century, and who was the master of Michael Angelo, worked as a goldsmith; Verochio, the master of Leonardo da Vinci, worked as a goldsmith Ghiberti, the artist who designed and constructed those wonderful bronze gates of the Baptistry at Florence, which, as Michael Angelo said, might serve as the gates of Paradise, worked as a goldsmith; Francia of Bologna, whose real name was Raibolini, and who often signed himself on his pictures Aurifex, and on his jewellery Pictor^ thus indicating the double craft, worked as a goldsmith; and Benvenuto Cellini, of Florence, one of the most artistic men of his time, and a cunning workman, was the prince of goldsmiths and auto-

Great

artists

made from

the

;

biographers.

Not only have great artists devoted themselves to the goldsmith's craft, but "true goldsmiths' work, when it exists, is generally the means of education of the greatest painters and sculptors of the day." No matter whether we go to the old Egyptian records graved or painted on stone, to the Bible, or to the classics, we everywhere meet the workers in gold and silver. Whenever we inquire into the origin of any art, we generally turn for information to the monuments in Egypt and to the volume of the Sacred Law. The Egyptians were exceedingly skilful in the use of metals of The paintall kinds, and understood the mixing of various alloys. ings at Beni Hasan, drawn about 2500 years before Christ, show the whole process of converting gold dust into jewellery. We see the workmen washing the dust, weighing it in the scales, the clerk writing down the weights on his tables, the use of the blowpipe to produce sufficient heat to melt the gold in the crucible, and the final working of the metal into vases and articles of jewellery.


INTRODUCTION.

XX The paintings

in the tombs at Thebes also, show the gold and at their work, together with beautiful specimens of silver ware.*

silver smiths

gold and

We read

of Pharaoh having taken Joseph out of prison arraying and putting "a gold chain about his neck"; he also placed his ring on Joseph's hand, thus delegating to him the power of sealing documents with the royal signet, t " few years later Joseph gave orders that his cup, the silver in the sack's mouth of his was to be placed youngest brother.+ cup," When the Israelites had completed their term of bondage, they "borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver and jewels of gold,"il proving that the Egyptians were at that time possessed of stores of earrings, bracelets, and all kinds of jewels. In the book of Job, one of the oldest, if not the oldest history

him

in fine linen

A

in the world, there are numerous references to gold and silver. ^' Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where The chapter commencing with these lines refers to they fine it." the mining and working of precious metals. If we go to the ancient account of gold-mining in Egypt written by Agatharchides, who lived in the first century before Christ, we find a very full account of the process by which the gold ore was obtained from the mines, the manner in which it was broken up, the earthy portions washed away, the final smelting of the ore, and the also find a very vivid picture of production of the pure gold. the terrible life led by the slaves who worked in the mines. At the Great Exhibition of 1867 a beautiful little Egyptian barque of solid gold was exhibited. It contained twelve oarsmen of silver, a figure in the bows in a sort of cabin, another in the centre of the boat holding the baton of command, and in the stern the helmsman steering with a large oar the last three figures are of

We

;

gold. v/heels.

The boat is mounted on a wooden carriage with four bronze The workmanship of the whole is very fine, and shows

that the Egyptians were at that early period masters of the goldsmith's art. This beautiful little object is now in the Museum at Cairo, and it is probably the oldest piece of Egyptian jewellery now in existence, having been discovered in the tomb of Aah-hotep, the wife of the last king of the sixteenth dynasty. The Israelites thoroughly understood the method of working " in gold they appreciated the malleability of it when they did beat the gold into thin plates," and the ductility of it when they did *' cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work."1[ The famous golden candelabrum or candlestick** of the Temple It was probably carried v;as no mean specimen of the smith's art. off by Titus when he conquered Jerusalem, and it is shown on the ;

*

Wilkinson's

"

.\iitient

Egyptians,"

||

1854, Vol. TT. p. 136.

+ Genesis xli, 42. Genesis xliv, 2.

I

*JI

**

Exodus xii, 35. Job xxviii, 1.

Exodus xxxix, Id. xxv, 31.

3.


INTRODUCTION.

xxi

well-known bas-relief sculptured on the Arch at Rome, which was Indeed the vessels of the house of the erected by the conqueror. Lord were all of the most beautiful and costly character, and are very fully described.* " all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of read that all the vessels and of the house of the forest of Lebanon were gold, of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon."t

We

The

early Greeks were dexterous in working gold and silver, and refinement were very great, as early as six centuries before Christ. They were especially clever in using solder, or other metallic cement, by means of which they fixed on the level surface of the articles they made, excessively small pieces of gold, which enabled them to build up the tiny ornaments with which they

and

their skill

decorated their work. The great age of Greek art did not, however, commence until about 330 B.C., and the highest stage in the history of all art was reached about a century later. Amongst the most remarkable of the Greek sculptures were those composed of ivory and gold, known as chryselephantines. There were many of these in Greece, the most famous being those of Zeus at Olympia, of Hera at Argos, and of Athene at Athens, which was executed by Phidias about 433 B.C., and were of immense size. The framework of these figures was of olive wood, the faces and all uncovered parts were of ivory, while the dress was of gold, with beautifully wrought borders. Both ivory and gold were very thin, and in the case of Athene, at any rate, the golden drapery could be taken entirely off.J The statue of Zeus was said to be from fifty to sixty feet high, without reckoning the pedestal. The god was seated in a chair, in his right hand he held a life-sized Victory, and in his left a tall sceptre with the eagle. The Athene of the Parthenon was somewhat smaller. The goddess was standing, her helmet surmounted by a sphinx, and like the Zeus she held a life-sized Victory in her right, and a spear and shield in her left hand.

These colossal figures were most perfectly finished in every and were placed on pedestals, which were covered with

respect,

figures in relief.

The Greeks were also very skilful in making smaller articles, the enumeration of which would take us too far afield. Their golden shields, belts, helmets, and other pieces of armour were very celebrated. Diana, great of the Ephesians, was certainly a patroness of the " a man, Demetrie bi name a worcker silversrniths, for we read that in siluer makide siluer housis to Diane."|| And Shakespeare speaks of "Celestial Dian, Goddess Argentine." * t 11

48 et seq. f Id. x, 21. " Kings vii, Jupiter Olympieu," by Quartermere de Ouincy. "Deeds of the Apostles," xix, 21, Wydiffe's Version.

I

Pericles, v,

i,

251.


xxii

INTRODUCTION.

'

Passing from the Greeks to the Romans, we leave a most artistic and highly trained people, for a people certainly not artistic in the higher sense of the word. The Romans were not great goldsmiths, but if they could not produce beautiful articles, they appreciated what was good, and they employed Greeks whose skill was well known. Many beautiful silver vases have been found at Pompeii, Rome, and other places, most of which were no doubt made by the Greeks. A number of silver vessels were some years ago unearthed near Hildesheim, in Hanover, and placed in the Museum at Berlin. They are of a good period, and comprise drinking-vessels, some being parcel gilt; dishes, ladles, pieces of tripods, and other articles. These vessels probably formed part of the camp equipage of some Roman commander, for it is known that the sets of silver plate carried by the Romans on their expeditions, were both large and Copies of all these articles may now be seen in the South costly.

Kensmgton Museum.* The number of gold and silver vessels, each with its name, used the Romans was very great. There was the crater, used for by mixing the wine and water the cylix, used for drinking the cyathus ;

;

or oenochoe, used as a ladle to fill the cylix the carchesium, or goblet with or without handles; the pronchons, or jug; the patera, or saucer; and many others. Small silver tripods were also used for tables. The decline of classic art commenced after the close of the third century, and before many years, all traditions of good classic ;

art

had died

out.

After the decay of Roman art, the remains of the Roman power, and what was left of the traditions of their art, were transplanted to Constantinople, and formed the foundation of the great art called Byzantine, which lasted from the fourth to the eleventh century. In this style architectural forms were much used; these were ornamented by scrolls and conventional foliage, interlaced with figures,

fabulous animak, "

creatures,

and legends

in

most complicated

Human figures no longer represented gods and godpatterns. desses, the images of natural strength and beauty, the pride or the passions of mankind. As the old religion had inspired the earlier art, so did the solemnity of the Christian religion set its mark on the new.

its strife with the world, its contempt of future hopes all these found expression in the heads and bodies of prophets, apostles and martyrs. Instead of the smoothness of face and roundness of limb of the Greek artists, those of Byzantium represented the wasted shapes of hermits, the sorrows of the mother of the Redeemer, and the mystery of the Cross."* The Gloucester candlestick, which is mentioned hereafter, is an excellent example of Byzantine ornamentation. During the early centuries of our era the barbarians from the north and from the east of Europe, and from the neighbouring continent of Asia overran Great Britain, France, Spain and Italy. All

Its

pleasure,

austerities,

its

*

Pollen's

"Gold and Siher Smiths' Work."


INTRODUCTION.

xxiii

trace of the old art was blotted out and an entirely different and ruder style followed. Several specimens of the goldsmiths' skill of this period still

remain.

One of these is a diadem of pure gold which was found at Novo Tcherkask on the River Don, and is adorned with pearls, and a magnificent cameo; it is of fi.ne workmanship, though of grotesque form. In 1858, a beautiful treasure, consisting of eight golden votive The most important of these crowns, was found near Toledo. crowns is an excellent specimen of the goldsmith's art of the seventh century. It is formed of a golden band suspended from a central ornament, by four chains, and set with sapphires, pearls, and carbuncles. From the lower edge of the band hang small letters of gold set with sapphires. These letters form the words RECCESOFFERET. These crowns are now at the Cluny

VINTHVS REX

Museum at Paris. The Emperor Charlemagne, who was crowned

to encourage the goldsmiths of that period, jewels and ornaments were made for his use.

in 800,

did much

and many beautiful Amongst these was

This is the imperial crown, which is still preserved at Vienna. formed of eight plates of gold rounded above and joined together, and ornamented with jewels and enamels. Somewhat later we meet with the name of Sa,'nt Eloi, who was born at Simonsin in France at the end of the sixteenth century, and who became a celebrated goldsmith. Some beautiful crosses and chalices made by him still remain in the Cathedral at Limoges, and in a few of the churches at Paris. Ireland produced some early and very remarkable pieces of wrought silver, in the Byzantine style. Miss N. Stokes mentions that there is a beautiful silver chalice of Irish design at Kremsmiinster, in Lower Austria, eighteen miles South of Wels, near the Danube.* This appears, from the inscription it bears, to have been made in the middle of the eighth century; and, if it is really of Irish manufacture, it is the earliest v/crk in silver made in that country. The Tara brooch is a most delicate and charming work, ornamented with a variety of designs, including various forms of interThe greater portion of this lacing pattern known as spiral knots brooch, however, is of white bronze, only the chain being of silver. It

was found

in 1850.

The Ardagh

The chalice is formed of several different metals. rim is with of the is bowl of adorned brass; silver, upper plaques of gold the handles are composed of enamels the stem is of bronze metal gilt; and the foot is of silver. It is ornamented with the interlacing pattern, and set with crystals, amber, and enamels. Passing on to a time nearer the present day, we find that the first working goldsmith of whom we hear in England was Dunstan, ;

;

*

Stokes's

"

Early Christian Art in Ireland," 1887,

p. 67.


INTRODUCTION.

xxiv

who was born more

at Glastonbury, about the year 925,

and of

whom

hereafter.

The Anglo-Saxons were, indeed, always reckoned skilful in the use of gold and silver. We are told that after the Conquest, when William returned to Normandy, he carried with him the choicest wealth of England, as gifts to St. Stephen's at Caen, and other " Men gazed with wonder upon the rich churches which he visited. island. In arts of skill and adornment of the spoils conquered England and other Teutonic lands were allowed to outdo the nations of the Romance speech. And if the women of England were renowned for the art which had wrought the Raven on the banner of Ragnar, and the Fighting Man on the banner of Harold, the men were no less reno\^ined for the art which wrought the cups of gold, the cups of silver, and the many other articles which adorned the tables of the great." Theodoric, the goldsmith, was settled in England in King Eadward's time, and held lands in various shires both under that King and under Earl Harold. He was a man of unrecorded nationality, and was no doubt one of those craftsmen from the Teutonic land, whose presence in England had been encouraged by a constant tradition, probably going back to the days of Eadgar. in Immediately after the Conquest, William granted to him estates " Berkshire. In Essex and Suffolk we find a tenant called Otto " aiirifaber" or Otho aurifex" who must have been a clever workman, for he was employed on William's own tomb and in Wiltshire, also, " " Grimbaldus aurifaber was one of the King's Thegns. In the eleventh century a great revival of art took place throughout Europe, the movement being to a large extent ecclesiastical in character. Most of the workers were monks, who founded their m.onasteries in all parts of the land, the most wonderful structures, adorned with images and sculpture, with altar fronts, crosses and candlesticks, with chalices and patens, and with reliquaries and ;

lamps. In

1 1 80 a guild of goldsmiths existed in London, but it was simply an association of manufacturers working together as a trade union, probably using the leopard's head as a trade-mark, but unrecognised by the legislature, and having no charter or other

privilege.

The first Mayor of London was a goldsmith, Henry FitzAlweyn by name, who held this high office from 189 to 1213. The reputation of the gold-worker for honesty, does not, however, appear to have been very high, for in 1238 the King issued a mandate commanding the Mayor and Aldermen to choose six of 1

the more discreet goldsmiths to superintend the craft, to inquire as to the pureness of gold and silver used, and to prevent anyone from working in private. Neither does it appear that the gold-workers were a very peaceful race, for, as the guild became powerful, it is recorded that in

1268: "

In this

liii

yere [of

Henry

III] in y*

moneth of Nouembre,


INTRODUCTION.

xxv

a varyaunce atwene the felysshyppes of goldsmythes and taylloures of London, whiche grewe to makynge of parties, so that fyll

.

.

.

.

moche people nyghtly gaderyd

in the stretes in harneys,

and

were prouyded, the th'rde nyght of the sayd parties mette vpon the nombre of v.c. men on both sydes, and ran togyder v/ith such vyolence that some were slayne and many wonded. Then outcry was made, so that y shyreffes, with strengthe of other coinons, came to the ryddynge of theym, and of theym toke certayne perThen vpon the scnes, and sent theym vnto dyuers prysons Fryday folowynge saynt Katheryns daye, sessyons were kepte at Newgate by the mayre and Laurence de Broke iustyce and other, where xxx. of the sayd persones were arregned of felony, and xiii. at length as

it

of theym caste and hanged."* Sir William Faryngdon, who gave his name to the City Ward, and who was Sheriff and Mayor of London in 1280, was a goldsmith as was also his son, Sir Nicholas Faringdon, who was four times Mayor of London. The first time any mark was officially mentioned as being impressed on articles of silver, was in 1300, when it was enacted that gold should be no worse than the touch of Paris, and silver should be of the sterling alloy, or in any case no worse than money. Silver aiticles were to be marked with a leopard's head by the wardens of the craft, but no mark was ordained for gold articles. t Gold of the touch of Paris and silver of the sterling of England, were both at

that time, everywhere, the recognised standards for precious metals. Twenty years later the Goldsmiths' Company was incorporated by letters patent, in the fi.rst year of his reign, under by Edward III, " the name of The Wardens and Commonality of the Mystery of Goldsmiths of the City of London." This charter especially provided for the protection of the home industry; and after reciting that private merchants and strangers from foreign lands counterfeited sterling, kept shops in obscure streets, made jewellery in which they set glass of divers colours, covered tin with silver so subtilely and with such sleight that the same could not be separated, and otherwise misbehaved themselves, the King granted that only plate of fine silver should be imported, that men of the trade should only keep shops in Cheap, that honest and sufficient men should be chosen to reform defects, and punish offenders, and that in the trading cities of England the same ordinance should be observed, and that certain from such towns or cities should carry the wares to London, in order that, after the touch of gold had been ascertained, their works might be marked with the puncheon of the leopard's head, as it was anciently ordained.

This charter speaks of the leopard's head as being even then an old mark, and only provides for the marking of gold articles, the marking of silver articles having been directed by the previous statute. *

"The

Chronicles," by Robert Fabyan, 1811, p. 364. t 28th Edward I, cap. 20.


INTRODUCTION.

xxvi

The earliest Court minutes of the Goldsmiths' Company are dated in 1334. In 1336 the ordinances of the Company speak of three marks, " " the the owner's and sayer's marks and the Liberdshede crowned first mark being the maker's, the second the assayer's, and the third that of the Goldsmiths' Hall, the crown being for the first time ;

iTientioned.

Another statute in 1363 provided that every master goldsmith should have a mark for himself, which he was to set on his work, after it had been assayed and the surveyor had set on it the King's mark.* This is the first time the maker's mark is mentioned in any statute.

In 1379 it was more specifically enacted that every goldsmith should have his own proper mark upon his work, and also that Mayors of cities and boroughs should assay the work and that the same should bear the mark of the city or borough where it was assayed, and, after the assay, that the work should be stamped with another mark to be appointed by the King.t In 1392 the Goldsmiths' Company received their second charter, giving them license to be a community, and to choose out of their ;

own number At

four wardens to govern the community.+ the fifteenth century the Goldsm-ths* assembled in their Hall in Foster's Lane.

the

Company

commencement of

fraudulent artificers having daily copper and latten, gilt and silvered, it was enacted that no artificer should gild or silver any article made of copper or latten; but ornaments made for the church might be gilt or silvered, provided a piece of the foot were left plain, though chalices were always to be of pure metal. In 1407 the second Goldsmiths' Hall was probably built by Sir Drugo Barentyn, and endowed by him with fair lands. He was a goldsmith, and twice Mayor of London. In 1414, in consequence of the goldsmiths refusing to sell gilt wares for less than double the price of the weight of silver in the same, an Act was passed fixing the price of silver gilt of the English sterling, at 46s. 8d. for a poimd troy.li As the two last-mentioned Acts were not sufficient to prevent frauds, another Act was passed to forbid the gilding of any metal except silver, the only things excepted being church ornaments and 1403, in consequent of

In

made

articles of

knights' spurs.

In 1423 it was ordained that the gold or silver smiths sell no worked silver in the city of London, unless it be of the fineness of silver; and that no harness of silver be sold before it be touched with the touch of the leopard's head, if it may reasonably bear the same, and also be marked with the workman's mark. The cities of York, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Lincoln, Norwich, Bristol, Salisbury and * I

37th Edward III, cap. 7. f 2nd Richard II. 16th Richard II. 2nd Henry V, Stat. 8th Henry V, cap. 3. ||

2,

can.

4.


INTRODUCTION.

xxvii

Coventry were each to have a distinct touch, to be fixed by the Mayor, bailiff, or governor of the same town.* In 1462 the Goldsmiths' Company received a third charter, constituting them a body corporate, with perpetual succession and a common seal, much enlarging their powers, and giving the wardens authority to search and try all sorts of gold and silver in the city of London, and in all other places throughout the kingdom of England, to punish and correct all defects, and to break all deceitful works and wares of gold and silver. This charter has since been many times confirmed and enlarged by later sovereigns. In 1477 it was enacted that gold should be of the fineness of 18 carats, and silver as fine as sterling; and that all articles of silver sold within London, or within two leagues thereof, should be touched with the mark of the worker and the leopard's head crowned. Robert Amades in 15 18 was goldsmith to Cardinal Wolsey, and made a quantity of plate for him, including an image of Our Lady, and six great candlesticks made at Bruges with leopards' heads and cardinals' hats. The leopards' heads were no doubt the hall marks. Were the cardinals' hats also used as hall marks ? It will be remembered that one of the indictments against this ambitious prelate was the charge of stamping his cardinal's hat on the coin of the realm. Many other Acts were passed in the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, and Elizabeth, all of which aimed at keeping the stan-

dard of gold and

silver in a

high state of fineness, and preventing

frauds.

Cup.

Date

1671.

There were constant difficulties during the seventeenth cenbetween the Goldsmiths' Company and the Pewterers' Company, by reason of the pewterers adopting marks resembling those used by the goldsmiths; and the following notes on the " Pewter Marks and Old Pewter Ware," by subject are taken from Christopher A. Markham.

tury,

In the court minutes of the Goldsmiths' the following entries relating to pewter marks. *

t

2nd Henry

III, caps. 13, 14. of the Goldsmiths' vols.

"Memorials

Prideaux.

Two

Company," by

Companyt

Sir

there are

Walter Sherbiu-ne-


xxviii

INTRODUCTION.

it is noted that there was a "Latten spoon stamped mark nearly resembling the touch."* The complaints were not always from the Goldsmiths' Company, for we read that in December, 161 5, one Round, a goldsmith, who worked as a spoon maker, had transgressed, and sold to free brothers of the Pewterers' Company, all of whom were forbidden to buy from him.

In 1601,

v/ith a

A

little later the Goldsmiths' Company again took exception to the proceedings of the Pewterers, and the following entry appears in the minutes of the former Company for 1635 " Mention of pewter marked like silver. Petition to be sent to :

the Lords of the Council pointing out the impolicy of allowing pewterers to stamp pewter with marks in imitation of those placed upon goldsmiths' and silversmiths' work."t" Next year another entry alluding to Mention of pewter with silver marks thereon. "+ The outcome of the petition to the Lords of the Council seems to have been that on March 17, 1636, an order from the Lord Mayor and the Court of Aldermen, concerning the striking of the marks proper to the goldsmith, was read to the Pewterers' Company and ordered to be observed. Although the Pewterers, as a Company, professed obedience to this, as to other orders, it does not appear that the Pewterers, as individuals, paid the slightest attention to them. At the Court of the Goldsmiths' Company, held on July 20, 1638, it was recorded that " The Wardens consider the abuse of a pewterer in Holborn, named Brockelsby, who places four marks on his pewter in resemblance of this Company's stamps upon silver. One of the Wardens of the Pewterers' Company is sent for, and the clerk reads to him the letter from the Lords of the Council to Sir Christopher Clitherowe, late Lord Mayor, and the order of the Court of Aldermen in that behalf, and he acknowledges the act of Brockelsby to be a great" abuse. The Wardens desire the W^arden of the Pewterers' Company to inform his brother Wardens of the facts of the case, and to put the Order into execution to which he immediately consents. " Subsequently the Master and Wardens of the Pewterers' Company go with the Wardens of this Company to Brockelsby's shop in Holborn, but nnd there no pewter marked like silver; they discover, however, two pounsons which are struck double to resemble the silver stamps. In Brockelsby's absence from the shop, the Wardens of the Pewterers' Company take the pounsons, and give them to the Wardens of this Company, who bring them to the Hall and the Wardens of the Pewterers' Company promise to punish the offender at their next Court, and to endeavour a reformation in the general :

;

;

trade."l| *

Ibid., Vol. I, t I&jV., Vol. I, I Ibid., Vol. I, Ibid., Vol. I, II

p. 100. p. 168. p. 169. p. 183.


INTRODUCTION.

xxix

Again, at the Court of Assistants of the Goldsmiths' Company held on June 20, 1639, it is noted that " Vaughan, the graver of Kerry Lane, is found to have pewter made in silver fashion with 4 marks resembling the silver touch, :

on which the owner had bidden him to engrave his Arms. The is so defaced with the hammer, that it is scarcely disThe pewter was made by Peter Brockelsby, from whom cernible. the Master and Wardens of the Pewterers' Company had taken simiThe Wardens take the pewter and the graver to the lar stamps. Wardens of the Pewterers' Company, by whom the former order of the Lord Mayor, and the letter from the Lords of the Council, are read to the graver. It is stated that the said order has been read at a general meeting of the Pewterers' Company, and that Brockmaker's mark

notice thereof but the Wardens of the Pewterers' Company promise to acquaint him therewith once more, and to help this Company in complaining to the Court of Aldermen if necessary."*" Once more at the Court of the Goldsmiths' Company, held on August 31, 1643, it is stated that: "Jackson, the Assayer, produces a pewter pot, made silver It appears to fashion, marked with 4 stamps like the Hall Touch. have been made by Butcher, the pewterer, in St. Ann's Lane. Jackson is ordered to buy another pewter pot and proceed against the

elsby

had

;

offender."!

In 1634-6 the third Hall of the Goldsmiths' Company was and Inigo Jones, the King's architect, acted as consulting architect, for which service the Company gave him a gratuity. The last Charter granted to the Goldsmiths' Company was the Inspeximus Charter of the second James I, dated March 13. This recites and confirms all the previous charters and letters patent granted to the Company, and it is printed in the Memorial of the Goldsmiths' Company by Sir Walter S. Prideaux. In the Great Fire in 1666, the Hall of the Goldsmiths' Company received much damage, and it was afterwards in great part rebuilt. In 1697 the standard for worked silver was raised above that of the coinage, which was sterling, in order to prevent the custom of melting silver coins. The hall marks were therefore changed to the lion's head erased, the figure of Britannia, the date letter, and the maker's mark.J The higher standard introduced in 1697 did not last long, for in 1 7 19 the old standard was again made lawful and the old hall erected,

marks were revived, although the higher standard was and

is

still

legal.ll

In 1739 the maker's mark was altered from the first two letters of his surname, to the first letters of his Christian and surname. AH

gold and

silver smiths, therefore,

destroyed their punches and pro-

cured new ones. *

"

Memorials of the Goldsiniths' Company," Vol. t Ibid., Vol. I

I,

p. 189.

p. 214." 9th William III, cap. 8.

8th and 6th George II

I,

I,

cap.

2.

id


INTRODUCTION.

XXX

In 1 77 1 the Goldsmiths' Company was again insubordinate, and on June 5 in that year, at a Common Council held in London, the master and wardens of the Goldsmiths' Company were disfranchised for disobeying the Lord Mayor's precept.* In 1784 duties were made payable on all gold and silver plate, and the sovereign's head was impressed as a fifth mark, to denote the

payment of

the duty. In 1823 the mark of the leopard's head appears for the first time without the crown, and it is so stamped at the present day. In 1890 the duty on both gold and silver articles was abolished, and consequently the sovereign's head ceased to be impressed on

assayed

articles.

other acts have been passed at various times regulating the working and sale of the precious metals, which are hereinafter more particularly specified; the effect of the more important only of these acts being given in this sketch.

Many

(Ecclesiastical

"And

l^Mt

he took the cuppe and dide thankyngis, and zaf to hem,

and

seide,

Drynke

ze alle herof!' M.\TT. xxvi, 27 (Wycliffe's Version).

The

vesse'ls which are absolutely necessary for use in the comservice are chalices and patens, and we therefore propose to give a slight sketch of the change in the forms of these vessels during the last seven hundred years.

only

munion

Chalices and Patens.

The

we have of Communion plate, show the to a classic drinking-cup, having a large bowl, round spreading foot, and two handles. About the beginning of the twelfth century the use of the handles came to an end, and chalices with smaller bowls were introduced although the cup was earliest records

form

chalice similar in

;

not absolutely forbidden to the laity until the order of the Council of Constantine in 1414. The earliest chalices and patens now remaining are those which have been discovered in the cofFms of bishops and priests who died during the twelfth and following centuries, it having been the custom to bury silver vessels with the higher, and pewter vessels with the lower dignitaries of the Church, as symbols of their calling. These interesting vessels are now and then found during the restoration of an old church, or when the tomb of an ecclesiastic is disturbed. When the church at Nassingfon, in Northamptonshire, *

Allen's

"London," Vol.

II, p. 81.


INTRODUCTION. was restored

in 1885, a pewter paten

and

chalice of

xxxi

an early type

were found.*

The first type of chalice, which dates from 1200 to 1250, always has a circular foot. The oldest now remaining is quite plain, with a broad and shallow bowl, having a slight lip, a short stem with knop, and plain foot. Only three examples of this date remain; two of these are coffin chalices, and the third was, until recently, used at Berwick, St. James's, Wilts, and is now in the British Museum. The patens of the same date have two depressions, the first circular, the second quatrefoil, with a central device, the Manns Dei often being used.

The next type of chalice has the stem and knop wrought separately from the rest of the vessel, and either stem or knop, or both, lobed or polygonal. The patens belonging to this type have the lower depression, or single depression, octofoil or multiple, and some device in the centre. In York Minster there is a good chalice and paten of this period, which were found in the grave of an archbishop. The third type of chalice, which was made at the end of the thirteenth century, is similar to the last, except that the foot is ornamented. At Dolgelly, a silver gilt chalice and paten were recently discovered. They are large and massive. The chalice has a wide and shallow bowl, with a slight lip the knop is circular, and divided into twelve lobes by ribs the stem is ornamented with vertical leaves the foot is broad and circular, with twelve lobes ending in trefoils; between and below these are larger trefoils, beautifully engraved with early English foliage; and between these again is similar foliage. The paten is sunk in two depressions, the first circular, the second sexfoil, with symbols of the evangelists in the Both spandrils, and the seated figure of Our Lord in the centre. chalice and paten were made by Nicholas of Hereford about i28o.t During the next half-century, the pattern changed but little, except that the bowl of the chalice became deeper and more conical. Only one chalice of this period is known, which was found in the grave of William de Melton, Archbishop of York. About the middle of the fourteenth century, chalices with sixpointed feet were first made. The reason for abandoning the round foot, was that the custom of laying down the chalice to drain was introduced, and the polygonal foot prevented the vessel from The earliest chalice of this fashion is that at Hamstal rolling. Ridware, Co. Stafford. This is of silver, parcel gilt, the bowl conical, the stem short and thick, the knop formed of curved lobes, and the foot having six points. Its paten is also silver, parcel gilt, sunk in circle, and again in sexfoil, with plain cusps, and the Mamis Dei in the centre. The next example was probably made about a hundred years later. It is silver, parcel gilt, the bowl quite plain and conical, the ;

;

;

*

Marldiam's

"Church Plate

p. 195.

t

"

of

the County of Northampton,"

Archjeologia," Vol. LIII, p. 575.

1894,


INTRODUCTION.

xxxii

stem hexagonal, the knop also quite plain and hexagonal, the foot mullet-shaped, having six points, and on the front is engraved the HjC and round the edge a double row of small-leaved flowers. From 1450 to 1520 the chalices became somewhat more ornate. Of this period several still remain, most of which have their patens. At this time the bowl becomes deeper, and is generally plain; the stem is much taller and hexagonal, also plain, but sometimes buttressed at the angles; the knop is more beautiful, having on its six faces masks or roses the foot is either plain with six points, or the points are ornamented with loops, and on the front is usually The patens at this engraved or enamelled the crucifix or the iljr. time have a single circular depression, with i}jc or iljs as the device ;

in the centre. little later the foot of the chalice becomes sexfoil in plan, instead of having six points. The best example of this type is the chalice of gold at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, which, with its

A

paten, was given to the College by Bishop Fox, in 1 5 16.

The is

ation,

last still

type of chalice,

more

when

it

was founded

made immediately before the ReformThe bowl is flatter, more like the

elaborate.

Norman shape, and generally bears a legend; the stem is and hexagonal, sometimes being pierced with tracery the knop has six sides, and is much like those before described; where the stem joins the foot there is a kind of parapet, and the foot is formed early tall

;

into a

wavy-sided hexagon, on the front of which

is

engraved the

The patens belonging crucifix, and it generally also bears a legend. to this period have a single circular depression, with the Vernicle as a central device, surrounded by a glory of rays, and also having a legend engraved round the edge. Pre-Reformation chalices and patens have been classified by Mr. W. H. St. John Hop)e and Mr. T. N. Fallow, according to the

following types*

:

CHALICES. Type A. circa 1200 to circa 1250. Bowl broad and shallow; stem and knot, and foot plain and circular. Type B. circa 1250 to circa 1275. Bowl broad and shallow; stem and knot wrought separately from the bowl and foot, and one or the other or both polygonal foot plain and circular. Type C. circa 1275 to circa 1300. Bowl broad and shallow; stem ;

and knot as in type B; foot circular, but with its spread worked into ornate lobes. Type D. circa 1300 to circa 1350. Bowl deeper and more conical; stem, knot, and foot as before. Type E. circa 1350 to circa 450. Bowl as in type D stem and knot 1

;

uncertain; six-sided foot. *

"

English Mediaeval Chalices and Patens." by

W. H.

St.

John Hope. 1887.


INTRODUCTION.

xxxiii

Bowl deep and conical; stem 15 10. hexagonal, with ornate knot; six-sided foot. In late instances the points of the latter terminate in knops. Type G. circa 15 10 to circa 1525. Bowl broader at base; stem and knot as in type F sexfoil foot. Type H. circa 1525 to circa 1540. Bowl broad and shallow; stem cabled or buttressed on edges, with knot as before, but somewhat flattened; foot sexfoil, or hexagonal with wavy sides, and with an open crown at its junction with the stem.

Type

F. circa 1450 to circa

;

PATENS. Type A. (Form quatrefoil

Type

circa 11 80 to circa central device various.

I) ;

1260.

Lower depression

Lower depression, or II) circa 1260 to circa 1300. single depression, octofoil or multiple; central device usually the Manns Dei.

B.

(Form

I

or

Type

(Form I) circa 1300 to circa 1350, and later. Lower depression sexfoil with plain spandrels; central device usually the Manns Dei.

C.

Lower depression sexI) circa 1430 to circa 1530. but spandrels filled with a rayed leaf ornament. Central device most frequently the Vernicle, with, in many cases, an Some of the later examples encircling glory of short rays. of this type have an engraved legend round the rim.

Type D. (Form foil,

Type

E.

(Form

pression, device.

Type

Type

II) circa 1450 to circa 15 10. with more generally iljc or

Single circular de:Ij5

as

the central

(Form I) circa 1525. An elaboration of type D, which it resembles in general form, but the central device has a glory of long rays filling the field of the paten, and the rim bears

F.

an engraved legend. An elaboration of type G. (Form II) circa 1520 to circa 1535. E. Single circular depression, with central device surrounded by a glory of long rays. The rim bears an engraved The only two examples of this type have the legend. Vernicle as the central device.

Form I comprises patens with plain circular depression, with an inner depression multifoil in outline and Form II those with one depression only, either circular or multifoil. From this sketch it will be seen that the amount of mediaeval :

Communion plate remaining is very limited. Throughout England there are not above forty chalices and about twice that number of patens now in existence. The

display of gold and silver plate, much of it being ornajewels, in our cathedrals, abbeys and churches, previous The to the Reformation, must have been wonderfully beautiful. number of vessels possessed was considerable, and the value of the

mented with


INTRODUCTION.

xxxiv

As a typical example of the utensils great. of a great cathedral, even as late as the sixteenth century, a short summary of the inventory of the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin at Lincoln, which was taken in 1536, is here given* Chalices. A chalice of gold with pearls and precious stones set in the foot and knop, and a paten with the figures of Our Lord and the Apostles. A great silver and gilt chalice with the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, and the salutation of the Virgin on the foot; and a paten with the coronation of the Virgin, weighing 74 A silver and gilt chalice and paten, with gilt spoon and ounces. three other large silver and gilt chalices and patens. FeretoriesA A great silver and gilt feretory with steeple, twelve pinnacles, and images of the Virgin and St. Hugh. Four other feretories, silver and gilt and crystal. A silver and gilt phylactery with red and blue Phylacteries.X A similar phylactery, stones, containing the bones of St. Stephen. containing the bones of St. Agnes. Another phylactery with a knop of beryl, containing the bones of St. Vincent. A phylactery of crystal and silver, containing a tooth of St. Hugh. Ampidlce with Reliqiies.W Six ampullae of crystal, with feet and covers of silver and gilt, containing relics of various saints. Six tabernacles of ivory or wood, one containing Tabernacles.% same must have been

:

;

relics.

An image

of Our Saviour, silver and gilt, with a cross great image of Our Lady, crowned, sitting in a chair, silver and gilt, with the Holy Child on her knee, also crowned. Relics of virgins in a silver and gilt vessel. Chests for Relics. T\^ only -iovx chests, some made of silver and gilt, some of crystal, and some covered with cloth of gold or

Images.

A

in the hand.

needlework.

Pyxes^\ A round pyx of crystal, ornamented with silver and containing the relics of saints. Four pyxes of ivory, bound with silver and gilt, or with copper. A pyx of crystal, with foot of silver and gilt. And a silver and gilt pyx. Crosses. A cross of silver and gilt, with a cruci&x in the centre, St. Mary and St. John on either hand, and the evangelists at the Fifteen other crosses, of divers corners, weighing 57 ounces. materials and sizes. A silver and gilt cross, similar to the first, but gilt,

v/eighing 84 ounces.

Two

Candelabra. each, weighing 22 sticks, silver

and

and

great candlesticks of gold, for eight candles 10 ounces respectively. Six other candle-

gilt.

A pair of great censers, silver and gilt, weighing Four other smaller pairs of censers. And a silver and ship, having a spoon with a cross, weighing 34 ounces. Bowls, etc. Two fair basins of silver and gilt, chased with Thuribles.'^*

88 ounces. gilt

*

J

A

"

ArcliBeologia." Vol. T.III, p. 13. f A shrine. A covered vessel. A receptacle for the Sacrament. reliquaiy. If Vessels of precious metal to contain the Eucharist. ** Vessels in which to burn incense. ||


INTRODUCTION.

xxxv

double roses and enamelled, one weighing 8i ounces, the other 79 Three other pairs of basins of silver and gilt, of smaller A patte of silver for holy water. Two saucers of silver gilt. size.

ounces.

A A

Two-squared sconce of silver and gilt. sacring bell of silver. Two fioles of silver and gilt. calefactory, silver and gilt. Staves. staff covered with silver and gilt, with an image of Our Lady at one end, and an image of St. Hugh at the other. Four And four staves of wood, two of other staves of silver and gilt.

A

which have plates of

silver.

Pastoral Staves. The head of a bishop's staff, silver and gilt, with a knop of pearls and stones, an image of Our Saviour on one side, and an image of St. John Baptist on the other, weighing 18 The head of a staff, copper and gilt. Two staves for the ounces. same. Texts of the Evangelists. A text after St. Matthew, covered with a plate, silver and gilt, and with divers stones. Six other similar texts. And three texts for Lent and the Passion. Chrismatory. chrismatory, silver and gilt, with sixteen images, enamelled, weighing 26 ounces. AmfidlcB for Oil. Three ampullae, silver and gilt each with a cover, and a spoon with an acorn. Morses.* Seventeen morses, silver and gilt, some set with stones and pearls, others enamelled. Serta. Three garlands, silver and gilt, enriched with pearls

A

and

stones.

Such were the holy vessels and utensils of a great church in the Middle Ages. After 1534 the work of spoliation commenced, and has been First came Henry VIII, who, in carried on more or less ever since. 1539-40, suppressed all religious houses throughout the realm, and of course appropriated tbeir possessions, including their vessels of

gold and

silver.

1548 Edv'ard VI sent his commissioners throughout the land, with orders to take all plate, except one, two, or more chalices, And a few years later further according to the size of the parish. " orders were issued, that monuments of feigned miracles, pilgr'mages, idolatry and superstition" were to be entirely done away with and destroyed. Then it was that churchwardens and incumbents, feeling that all church property was insecure, sold a good deal of the Communion plate, and expended the proceeds in the repairs of their churches and other ways. Cups made in the time of Edward VI are as rare as preReformation chalices. At St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, At Clapton and there are two large silver gilt cups of this date.f Great Houghton, Co. Northampton, are two beautiful silver gilt cups, made in 1548 and 1553 respectively ;+ and a few others may be found throughout the country. In

*

The motal fastenings

" t Freshfield's

t

Markham's " Church

70, 162.

of a cape. in the County of London." ^^late of the Countv of Northampton," 1894, pp.

Communion Plate


INTRODUCTION.

XXXVl

It is believed that about the year 1562, some general issued in London, as to the shape of communion cups, made at this time are all of the same design, no matter in of England they are found. They are mostly of elegant as different from the chalices, out of which they were made, as can well be imagined.

order was for those

what part form, but

probably

A cup of this period has a conical bowl with slightly hollowed sides and somewhat flat base, engraved with one or two belts of strap work enclosing foliage. The stem is always evenly balanced, with a circular knop in the centre, on a flat j&.llet,

foot

and it is joined to the bowl and by either horizontal or vertical

mouldings.

The

and dome-shaped, on which

foot

is

resting

generally high

on a

flat flange,

sometimes engraved the egg and tongue pattern. The paten is made is

so as to serve as a cover for the cup, the foot forming a handle; sometimes the

engraved with strap ornamentaand sometimes the date is engraved on the foot or button. An enormous number of Elizabethan cups and patens still remain, but no two are alike, although the same type is used paten

is

tion like the cup,

Communion Cur and Cover Paten.

for

all.

During the reigns of James I and dington Church, NorthCharles I the type of cup and cover amptonshire. changes but little. The cups were, howoften and less elegant, the engraved belt round ever, taller, slighter the bowl being often omitted. Cover patens were also used. Another type of cup at this time was made with a bell-shaped bowl and baluster stem, and this form of cup does not appear ever to have Date

1569-70, Great

Dod-

been used with a cover paten.

During the Commonwealth but little plate of any kind was made in England. Two patterns of cups were used at this time. One of these has a somewhat large bowl, with flat base, baluster The other has a large bell-shaped or conical stem, and flat foot. bowl, a thick stem with a flat flange or plate for knop, swelling gradually to form a plain foot, a cup of this type generally has a cover paten, with a single depression, made to fit it face upwards. During the reigns of Charles II and James II some magnificent cups and patens will be found, and also some which are very plain

and

ugly.

The same

pattern of cup before described, continued to be manufactured, and at the same time a new form was introduced.


INTRODUCTION.

xxxvJi

this cup is cylindrical, deep, and of great capacity; the stem short and thick, and swelling out to rest on a flat flange and form the foot the whole is large and clumsy. The paten corresponding with the cup, but not used as a cover, is also clumsy, being of large size, sunk in a single depression on short thick

The bowl of

;

foot.

cTJt

CoiiML'NioN Cup.

Date

1601.

In the eighteenth century the form of the cups and patens still further degenerated. The cup at this time has a large bell-shaped bowl ; an evenly balanced stem, generally with a circular knop in the centre; and the foot is formed of horizontal mouldings. The paten is large, with a broad edge and one circular depression; the foot is quite plain, and generally large and high. Sometimes the paten fits the cup foot upward. Frequently the knop and foot of the cup, and the foot of the paten are ornamented with rope or rolled moulding. In the present century the same kind of vessels are made, and the earlier of these are not very beautiful. But now the pre-Reformation types are being again introduced, and some of the Communion sets manufactured are of excellent design and work-

manship.

FLAGONS. The earliest flagons at present existing are those made during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. These are generally of "the roundbellied type." At Cirencester Church; St. Margaret's Church, Westminster; St. George's Chapel, Windsor; and a few other places, are flagons which have high

feet,

round bulbous bodies, straight necks,


INTRODUCTION.

XXXVlll

domed

lids,

from elegant

and curved handles.

Flagons of

this

shape are far

in appearance.

This type of flagon was only made for a few years, for the tankard type came into fashion about 1600, and has ever since been A tankard-shaped flagon is generally handsome and masused. It has straight sides, dome-shaped lid, sive, though quite plain. high, straight purchase, rather large curved handle, and broad spreading foot; the handle often ending in a heart-shaped plate.

Alms Dish, Pkikkuohough Date

The Communion

c.

Cathedr.\l.

1650, scale one-sixth full size.

service at

Easton Mauduit, Northamptonshire,

here represented. The paten and cup were made of silver gilt in 1630, and are marked with the initials of the donor, the Right Reverend Thomas Morton, who was successively Bishop of Chester, The flagon is a very beauLichfield and Coventry, and Durham. The almstiful vessel, made in 1672, of silver gilt repousse work. In the parish register dishes are quite plain, and are also silver gilt. there is an entry relating to this silver, signed by the Rev. Thomas " The Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," who Percy, author of was once vicar of the parish.

is

ALMS DISHES. There are throughout the country a good number of silver alms most of which are quite plain, though a few are most beautiwith leaves and fruit in repousse work, and others ornamented fully

dishes,

are engraved.




INTRODUCTION.

xxxix

CHRISTENING BOWLS. Occasionally a christening bowl usually quite plain.

is

found

at a church, but

it is

SPOONS. Strainer spoons are sometimes used in churches, but probably most cases they are of domestic origin, having the bowl afterwards pierced for use :n removing anything from the wine. The greater part of the Communion plate now in use was given in

by individuals, and such gifts are frequently recorded in mediaeval wills. Thus, in 1246, King Henry III gave a chalice to the Church of All Saints, and smaller vessels to the other parish churches in the town of Northampton.*

CDrnnatton l^htt. "

A

crown of pure gold on his head" Psalm

xxi, 3.

The English Regalia was generally kept in Westminster Abbey, though in times of danger it was sometimes removed to the Tower of London. During the reign of Henry VIII, the Crown jewels were taken to the Tower, where they are now permanently housed. The present regalia is but a small portion of what it used to be, both Kings and Parliaments having helped to disperse it.f In 1625 King Charles I pawned a great number of the Crown jewels to Holland, in order to raise money for his wars with Spain. These included "A greate riche 'Jewell of goulde' called the '" " Mirroiir of Greate Brittaine a gold cup with The Dreame of 120 with "The Morris ounces: the gold cup Paris," weighing Dance," weighing 147 ounces: "The Constable's Cup": and many more celebrated articles.^ There is no record of these jewels ev^er '

:

having been redeemed.

Again in 1643 ^^e King melted the crown and sceptre; and the following year the House of Commons issued an order that the King's plate, then in the Tower, was to be melted down and coined. The House of Lords remonstrated, alleging that the beautiful workmanship of the plate rendered it very valuable, but this was without effect, and a few years later these beautiful works of art were consigned to the crucible. Thus unique jewels and plate were de" stroyed without mercy, and the produce employed to buy horses."!!

\

" Northamptonshire," Vol. I, p. 426. " Foedera," Vol. XVIII, p. 236. ChafFers's " Gilda Aurifabrorum."

!i

Chaffers's

*

t

Bridge's

Rymer's

"Gilda Aurifabrorum,"

p. 200.


INTRODUCTION.

xl

In consequence of this, some difficulty was experienced in providing regalia for the coronation of Charles II, and new crowns, sceptres, a globe, staves, maces, and other things, were provided by Sir Robert Vyner at the cost of some thirty-two thousand pounds.

The present regalia consists of the following articles Queen Victoria's State crown was made in 1838, and is adorned :

with jewels from other crowns. It has a crimson velvet cap, with ermine border lined with white silk, and weighs 39 oz. 5 dwt. On the cross patee above the mound in the centre is the inestimable sapphire which is supposed to have been taken from the ring of

Edward the Confessor. In, front is the heart-shaped ruby said to have belonged to the Black Prince. St. Edward's crown is the great state crown of England, and is the diadem which is set upon the brows of each of England's monarchs ever since the pious Confessor relinquished it. The name, however, and not the thing itself, is all that survives; for the orit6 have been worn ginal crown, which is "traditionally supposed " by King Edward, was broken and defaced by the bigots of the Commonwealth. The present crown was made by Sir Robert Vyner in 1662, from the old designs; and was slightly altered and enlarged for the coronation of our late King Edward VII. It conof a cap of crimson velvet, which is turned up with ermine, and round which is a gold circlet, bordered at both edges with rows of pearls, and studded with large rubies, emeralds and sapphires, encompassed with brilliants. From the circlet rise in alternation four crosses patee and fleur de lys of gold, each set with precious stones. From the crosses spring arches of gold bordered w*th pearls and set with precious stones, which meet at the centre to support an orb filleted with rows of pearls. Above the orb is a cross patee richly studded with gems, among which the three large pear-shaped pearls which adorn the upper arms of the cross are specially conspicuous. Mary of Modena's circlet, which was used at her coronation, and which she first wore. It consists of a golden circlet set with magnificent pearls, and a large diamond in front. Mary of Modena's crown, which was worn by the Queen after her coronation. This has arches, surmounted by a cross patee, and sists

is

ornamented by large diamonds and

The Prince

pearls.

of gold, with a single arch carrying a cross patee, and it is adorned with jewels. St. Edward's staff of pure gold, 4 feet 7^ inches long, with mound and cross patee at the top. This staff formed part of the of Wales's coronet

made by Sir Robert Vyner There are five sceptres.

regalia

The Royal

is

in 1662.

sceptre with the cross,

is

made

of gold,

it

is

2 feet

g\ inches long, and the shaft is enriched with rubies, em.eralds and diamonds. At the top there is a magnificent amethyst, from which there springs a cross patee, thickly set with brilliants

and other

gems.

The Royal

sceptre with the dove is similar to the other royal it is slightly longer, less ornate, and it bears a

sceptre, except that


INTRODUCTION. dove on a cross above the mound instead of a cross dove with wings expanded is enamelled white.

xli

patee.

The Queen's sceptre with the cross is also made of gold, 2 feet lo inches long, and is ornamented with diamonds. The Queen's sceptre with the dove is somewhat more highly ornamented than the royal sceptre.

The it is

smaller, but

The Queen's ivory rod is 3 feet i| inches long, the mound has a cross patee on which is an enamelled dove. This sceptre was

made for Mary of Modena. The Queen's crown, which was designed and manufactured the coronation of

monds,

all

Queen Alexandra, of which are mounted in

for

entirely of diasilver settings, this being the is

composed

only metal completely displaying the beauty and brilliance of the The circlet is entirely encrusted with brilliants of the finest stones. This water, which are placed as closely as possible throughout. strikingly rich band supports four large crosses patee, and four large fleur de lys, which, placed alternately, enclose the purple silk

The

velvet cap.

centre of the largest cross patee displays the price-

less Koh-I-noor, the unique feature of the crown. From the crosses and fleurs de lys spring eight graceful arches, curving inwards, also

with diamonds. The arches converge in the centre, and support orb, encrusted with diamonds, which is surmounted by a cross patee of large diamonds. The total number of stones used is 3,688, and the crown only v/eighs 22 oz. 15 dwt. set

an

There are two

orbs.

The

It has larger orb is a golden globe 6 inches in diameter. round the centre, from which springs an arch, both fillet and

a fillet arch being ornamented with pearls and precious stones. On the top is a large amethyst surmounted by a cross, composed of diamonds and other stones. It was made by Sir Robert Vyner. The smaller orb is very similar, and was made for the coronation of Queen Mary, the consort of King William. The ampulla is a golden eagle, with expanded wings, the height of which with the pedestal is 9 inches, and the diameter of the pedestal 3^ inches. The body of the eagle is filled with oil, by unscrewing the head, and the oil is poured out through the beak at the coronation. This is undoubtedly an ancient piece of plate, and probably older than the time of Charles II. In addition, there are the following the King's ring, having a splendid sapphire in which is set the cross of St. George in rubies, with which the Sovereign weds his people at the coronation; the Queen's ring, a table ruby, the hoop of which is encrusted with rubies; the bracelets; Queen Elizabeth's salt-cellar, and the coronation spoon, of which more hereafter. These articles are illustrated in Mr. Cyril Davenport's beautiful work.* :

*

" The English Regalia," by Cyril Davenport, 1897.


INTRODUCTION.

Cnrporation l^htt. "

Jack Cade,

Strike off

two poles .... for will

we

ride through the streets." -Sh.\icespeare,

The now and

heads, and bring ihem both upon borne before us instead of maces,

t/teir

ivith these

2nd Pt. " Heni-y VI," Act

iv, sc. 7.

only articles used by corporate towns that we need consider are maces; for, although such towns often possess loving-cups other vessels, they are not, like maces, used officially. Maces were once used as weapons of warfare. Thus, at the

Conquest of England, Duke William and Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, fought with maces and it is said that Odo carried this terrible and crushing instrument in lieu of a sword, because the canons of the Church forbade a priest to shed blood.* Afterwards maces were used as symbols of authority, and are found in almost every borough in England. ;

And first as to sergeants' maces. The earliest of these is of the fifteenth century; this is silver parcel gilt and 25 inches long, with an iron grip, and a later crown at the top. It is now at Hedon, in Yorkshire. At Stratford-on-Avon and a few other places there are maces of about the same date, none of which has a crown. In the sixteenth century the heads of the maces became more bowl-shaped, and the lower end lost its mace-like character, and appeared with small brackets at the base. In the course of the seventeenth century the head was enlarged to give room for various symbols, such as the royal arms, or the initials of the sovereign, and a crown was added above the bowl, surmounted by a globe and cross. The small brackets also were carried upward; first they were placed at the lower end, then half-way up the handle, and finally immediAbout 1650, sergeants' maces ceased to be ately beneath the bowl. manufactured; at least hardly any were made after that time. Secondly, as to great maces which were borne before the Mayor as a sign of authority. The earliest of these now in existence, is the fine one at Chichester, which is of the early part of the seventeenth The maces at Stafford, Grimsby and York are only a little century. later in date. These maces, though somewhat more ornate, are made on the same lines as the sergeants' maces before noticed. The mace of the House of Commons, which was made in 1649-60, is a good example of maces of that date. In the eighteenth century many of the maces were made with baluster stems, the other parts remaining unaltered. Maces of exceptional form are sometimes found. Thus, maces shaped like oars are now at Dover and other seaport towns. That at Dover is a plain silver oar, and is a sym.bol of the Admiralty *

Freeman's "History

of the

Norman Conquest."


INTRODUCTION.

xliii

by the town clerk of Dover as registrar; it is The mace of the Tower Ward in London is also uncommon. It was made in 1671, and is surmounted by a model of the Tower, with small turrets at the corners, each having a weather-vane, with the letters C.R. A few societies, such as the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries, also have the privilege of using a mace. " Further information about maces will be found in The Corand W. H. St. John Hope, poration Plate," by Llewellyn lewitt jurisdiction, being held

probably of the time of Queen Elizabeth.

1895.

ilBomestic jpiatt. In

all houses of the better class a court cupboard, or livery cupThis was, according to Nares, a movable board, was essential closet or buffet in which plate and other articles of luxury were He gives the following quotations from " Comenius's displayed. Janua," printed in 1659: " Golden and gilded beakers, cruzes, great cups, crystal glasses, cans, tankards, and two-ear'd pots are brought forth out of the cup-board, and glass case, and being rinsed and rub'd with a potbrush, are set on the livery-cupboard."* Shakespeare alludes " to this in "Romeo and Juliet," where the serving-man exclaims Away with the join-stools, remove the court-cup-board, look to the plate." f :

MAZERS. "

A bowl

or

mazer curiously carved!^ Dryden's " Virgil."

Mazers are ancient wooden clrinking-vessels, on which much has been written and learning expended. Even the meaning of the word disputed, although the general opinion obtains that it was derived from "maserle," or maple wood. For in early times platters and bowls, and other articles for the table, were frequently made of beech or maple wood, often having silver mountings. The Bishop of Chichester, in his will in 1253, speaks of his great cup of mazera; and such mazers are mentioned for a little over three hundred years from this date, in all kinds of inventories and wills, the spelling of the name, of course, varying very much. is

After 1590 no more mazers were made. Simon the goldsmith, who lived in 1369, and who was a benefactor to the Goldsmiths' Company, was called Simon le Maserer, from his skill in making silver-mounted mazers. *

Nares's "Glossary," 1822.

f

"Romeo and

Juliet,"

I, v.

7.


INTRODUCTION.

xliv

Early mazers had a rim above, and a small rim for foot below, being wide and shallow, and generally having an inscription round the upper rim. The later ones are generally deeper, and often mounted on high feet. Inside, in the centre, there is usually a flat plate called the print, or boss, often ornamented with a shield of arms or other design. The object of this was, no doubt, to cover the flaws made in completing the turning of the bowl. The earliest mazer now known is at Harbledown Hospital, near Canterbury, and has a plain gilt foot or stem, a plain rim, a silver gilt medallion, with the figure of Guy, Earl of Warwick, and an This vessel is of the time of Edward II After this inscription. " comes the Scrope Mazer," which is now at York it has a long inscription on the rim, which fixes the date of it as being about It stands on feet made of small heads, and is altogether a 1400. most interesting specimen. At All Soul's College, Oxford, there is a set of mazers, one of which, made in the middle of the fifteenth century, is a very fine specimen of such a cup. This is mounted on a high circular foot, and has a deep rim round the edge, both being silver gilt and some;

what plain. On the bottom, inside, there is a boss, or the arms and initials of the donor, Thomas Ballard.

bearing cup made

print,

A

of polished maple, in the collection of the late Mr. E. P. Shirley, of Eatington, bore the legend on the rim :

" In the name of the Tirnite Fille the kup and drinke to me."

At the Armourers' Hall, London, there is a large deep bowl nearly a foot in diameter. The silver gilt foot and rim of this bowl are united by bands in the same manner as are those of cocoanut cups. Oriel College, Oxford, is the possessor of a very fine mazer, made about 1470. This has a low, circular foot, ornamented with stiff leaves, points downwards. The upper rim is deep, and also ornamented with similar leaves, points upward, and the legend in black letter :

*'

non quoti p^tit atra iioluptas sic raro rasta tratur 1x5 iiix^xu suppetritatiir."*

Itxr racionc bibas

A

vessel called the Narford mazer, formerly in the collection of Sir A. W. Franks, P.S.A., bears the London hall marks for 1532 on the silver gilt rim, on which are the words :

"CIPHUS REFECTORII ROFENSIS PER FRATREM ROBERTUM PECHAM." in

Tudor

capitals, black letters fifteenth century. t

having ceased to be used after the

end of the

*

Cripps's "Old English Plate," 1891, p. 243. " t Archeeologia," Vol. XIII, p. 392.


INTRODUCTION. foot,

xlv

Another of Sir A. W. Franks's mazers has a very low rim for and a somewhat deep rim above, ornamented with small pen-

dant leaves and the text in large

letters

:

"MISEREMINI: MEI MISEKEMINI: MEI: SALTEM: VOS AMICI MEI." :

:

:

At All Souls' College, Oxford, is a deep but somewhat small bowl, which is mounted on a tall foot and stem composed of clustered shafts, so that the whole forms a standing cup; it was made With the Inquest plate at St. Giles's, Cripplegate With1529. out, London, there is a mazer bowl of maple wood, mounted with a broad silver gilt rim and foot, round the stem of which is a scroll " Ihon Birde Mead This In ornament, above which is inscribed " the foot is engraved with various ornaments, Anno Domine 1 568 and on the print inside is a merchant's mark.* Nothing more remains to be said about mazers, as the manufacture of them entirely ceased towards the end of the sixteenth

m

:

;

century.

Standing Cups. "And guf hem Couppes of dene gold

echone

and coppes of

silver^

" Piers Ploughman," p. 39.

The

State cups possessed by the great men of the land in the Middle Ages were often of great value and beauty. Sometimes these cups were made of solid gold or silver, and sometimes of cocoa-nuts or ostrich eggs mounted with silver. Some of these are of early date, for at the end of the thirteenth

century we find the Bishop of Durham bequeathing a cocoa-nut cup with a foot and mountings of silver; and such cups are very frequently mentioned in old wills and inventories. Many of the City companies have specimens of these cups. The Ironmongers possess a good cocoa-nut cup, made at the commencement of the sixteenth The Armourers and Vintners also possess such cups, that century, t of the latter having been ma.de in 15 18; and the late Mr. E. P. Monckton had a good cocoa-nut cup which was made in London in 1856-7.^

At Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, there are the remains of what is probably the oldest cup formed by an ostrich e^^ in the world. It dates from the fourteenth century, although the present silver mounts are not older than 1592. The well-known ostrich &g^ cup at Exeter College, Oxford, is somewhat later in date, having *

"

Archseologia," Vol. L, p. 1G7.

f Cripps's

" Old English Plate."

J See next page.

\e


INTRODUCTION.

xlvi

been

made

The

foot

it is a fine example of this particular form. of the shape usual at that time; the stem is formed of three ostrich legs, supporting the egg, which is held in position bythree bands, and on the cover an ostrich stands on a plume of The Earl of Ducie has a unique silver gilt cup which feathers.*

in 1610, but

is

^Mi^s^Aw^



Silver Gilt Standing Cup. Date i6og.

The Property

of the Marquis of Exeter.


INTRODUCTION.

xlvii

into an animal's head, and is supported by two claw-shaped feet attached to bands, and round the upper end of the horn is also an inscribed band. The lid, surmounted by an eagle, At Christ's Hospital, London, there is a somewhat is of later date. similar horn, but in this case the two claw-shaped feet are attached to a single band, and are side by side instead of being in front of each other. The Cawdor horn is also celebrated, although it is not The horn the original one, but was made in the time of Henry VII is borne by the royal supporters, and is highly ornamented. Of standing cups made entirely of the precious metals there

by metal formed

notable examples still remaining. The cup at Lynn is have been given to that town by King John it is silver supposed gilt, richly ornamented with enamelled figures, the stem is slender, the foot circular, the height 15 inches, and it is of the fourteenth century.* The Foundress's Cup at Christ's College, Cambridge, of the fifteenth century, is a quamt, if not altogether pleasing, piece of work; the stem, bowl and cover are ornamented with broad twisted bands composed of conventional foliage in repousse work. At Pembroke College, Cambridge, there is a fine specimen known as the Anathema Cup, bearing the London hall marks for 148 1, and it is one of the earliest dated vessels in existence. The second earliest cup with a date mark is the "Leigh Cup," now at the This is of silver gilt, richly ornamented Mercers' Hall, London. are

many

to

;

by raised ropes, which form lozenges, containing alternately heads of maidens and flasks; round the bowl and lid is a record of the gift of this cup, on the foot and bowl is an open cresting, and the At Christ's College, lid is surmounted by a virgin with an unicorn. Cambridge, there is a handsome standing cup or stoup, covered with diaper work enclosing double roses, fleur de lis, and portcullis in the centre of each lozenge, and a daisy at each intersection, which was made early in the sixteenth century.

The Richmond Cup, now same

time,

is

at Armourers' Hall, made about the of a different type, having raised ribs, which form the

and stem. The silver gilt hanap or standing cup at Portsmouth was made in 1590, and presented by Robert Lee to the Corporation. At Corby Church, Co. Northampton, there is a beautiful silver gilt covered cup that was made in 1601. The bowl and cov^er form a perfect oval, entirely covered with repousse work of bands of leaves on the cover is a pyramid, with three sides the stem is baluster in form, with a high foot.f This cup was evidently made for secular purposes, though now used in the church. A somewhat similar cup will be found at Braunstone Church, Co. Leicester.J bowl, cover,

;

;

A

very fine standing cup with cover, made of silver gilt, repousse with fruit and foliage, strap work and dolphins, with the London hall marks for 1604-5, bears the legend :

*

t X

"

Examples of Art Workmanship." Markham's " Church Plate of the County of Northampton," " Church Plate of Leicestershire," p. 321. TroUope's

p. 77.


INTRODUCTION.

xlviii

" This Cupp was Made of the Greate Seale of Irelande In Anno Domini 1604 After the Deathe of The Blessed Queene Elizabethe The Moste Blessed Prince That Euer raigned Adam loftus lord Archbisshopp of Dublin was then And Is Now lorde Chaunceller of Irelande and was

Three Tymes lorde lustice and Gouernor

of the

same realme."

This cup belongs to Mr. J. Dunn Gardner, and is now in the South Kensington Museum. A highly enriched gourd-shaped cup, " The Berry Cup," forms part of the Corporation plate of called the town of Portsmouth; it is silver gilt, and was made in 1608-9. At the Clothworkers' Hall there is a large and well-worked cup, which was given by Samuel Pepys in 1678. The bowl of this is formed of two parts, the inner being plain, and the outer one, which is removable, is ornamented with flowers and scrolls of elaborate

cA.i-r HW.

Small Silver Beaker.

Stamped

'

in Norwich, 1697, belonging

to J.

H. Walter, Esq.

The designs in the eighteenth century were somewhat difbeing more urn-shaped, and having two, or sometimes three, A fine example of such a two-handled covered cup, handles. made in 1739 by the celebrated Paul de Lamerie, is now at the Goldsmiths' Hall in London. This is simple in outline, but richly decorated with masks and flowers in repousse work. Many of the standing cups made at this period are of the same pattern as the Wedgwood ware designed by Flaxman; indeed, some of the silver vessels made at this time might almost as well have been in china form.

ferent,

as in silver.


INTRODUCTION.

xlix

TANKARDS. These are large vessels, with a handle and cover, used for drinking. The earliest were made in the middle of the sixteenth At century, and many excellent examples are still in existence. Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, there is a very old silver tankard And at the Ashmolean Museum at v/hich is used as a flagon. Oxford there is a hne tankard which was made in 1574; this has straight sides, partly ornamented with the incised patterns used on early Communion cups, and partly with the egg and tongue pattern, and heads in medallions, in the Renaissance style. At Clare College, Cambridge, there is the celebrated Poison Cup, which is made of glass, enclosed in silver filagree casing, of about the same date.

Cup or Porringer. Date

1671, Lodington, scale two-thirds full size.

A

little later the tankards are made somewhat taller and narrower; and in the middle of the seventeenth century they assume a. tall cylindrical shape, often adorned with strap work or semiclassical ornamentation. Still later the tankards were made shorter, and of much larger diameter, often being quite plain. Such tankards were almost always used in churches as flagons immediately after the Restoration, and until flagons made of the round-bodied

shape came into fashion. Other smaller cups are known by special names, such as Tazze, Beakers, Porringers and Caudle Cups. A Tazza is a small but elegant cup, with a wide but shallow bowl, a tall, slender baluster-shaped stem, and circular foot, similar to the ordinary shallow champagne glasses of the present day. A very curious silver gilt tazza, called a loving-cup, made in London


INTRODUCTION.

1

to the Corporation of Portsmouth by Mrs. low, with a large foot, and on the bowl, which has a " Si Deus nobiscum qvis contra nos." straight side, is inscribed, There is also an elegant little tazza made in 1582-3 belonging to the same Corporation. Beaker is a small cup without handles, like a little tumbler, and only slightly ornamented. These came into use at the commencement of the seventeenth century, and were more commonly made in Holland or Germany than in England. At the Mercers' Hall in London there is a gilt beaker which was made in 1604, ornamented with three maidens' heads on the side. At Upton Church, Co. Northampton, there is an elegant little beaker of about the same date, which was probably made in Germany the upper part is plain, and the lower is covered with an engraved ornament, and in three medallions are as many heads, apparently of Dutch or German folk. At the neighbouring church of Sutton there is also a little beaker-shaped cup it is rude, and has no hall marks, and was probably made in the locality.* in.

1525-6,

Bodkin;

was given

it is

A

;

;

C?.A.M.al.

Sm.4ll Silver Jug.

Stamped

in

Norwich, J.

A Porringer is

H.

c.

1700, belonging to

AValter, Esq.

a little vessel shaped like a

modern sugar-basin,

with a wide mouth, two handles, and often a loose

lid.

A

Caudle Cup commonly has a small mouth, swelling out below into a bowl form. At Loddington Church, Co. Northampton, is a pretty little silver porringer or caudle cup with two handles, covered with leaves and flowers in repousse work, that was made in i67i.t

there

Markham's "Church Plate

of the Conntv of t Ibid., p. 179.

.

Northampton," pp.

276, 291.


INTRODUCTION.

ii

Both porringers and caudle cups were used for drinking posset they were mostly made in the seventeenth or in the early part of the eighteenth centuries, and are often of most elegant form and ornamentation. Various other small cups and jugs were made, two of which we ;

illustrate.

Sm.\ll Silver Cur.

Date

1649-50, belonging A. C. Fletcher, Eaq.

to

a^bns aub Basins. "As

house within the city yoii know, Is richly furnished with -plate and gold; Basins and ewers to lave her dainty handsT

my

Shakespkare,

"

Taming

of tlie

Shrew,"

II,

i,

348.

In the Middle Ages ewers and basins were much used at meals, for ate more or less with their fingers, it was essential that these vessels should be carried round after each course, in order that the guests might wash their hands.

when people

The introduction of forks in the seventeenth century rendered the use of the ewer and basin, to a large extent, unnecessary, and they therefore ceased to be made for that purpose. At Corpus

Christi College, Cambridge, there is an early ewer salver of the year 1545. The ewer has eight sides, somewhat like a large coffee-pot, with spout, handle and lid, and ornamented with engraved arabesques. The salver is also ornamented with

and


INTRODUCTION.

li

arabesque work round the edge, the centre being raised with a coatcf-arms on a boss. The Duke of Rutland has a fine silver gilt ewer and basin of the dates 1579 and 1581, which were exhibited at South Kensington in

1862.

Silver Gclt P^lagox. Easton Neston Church. Northamptonshire. Paul de Lanierie in 1735.

Made by

The Corporation of Bristol possess a good ewer and salver, ornamented with engraving and repousse work, which were made

m

1595.

The Corporation of Norwich also possess a fine set, made in The ewer is vase-shaped, with a high foot, spout, and high handle, and is covered with classic figures in repousse work. The 161 7.

salver also is covered with similar figures in repousse, having an elegantly ornamented border, and a high boss or print in the centre. At Peterborough Cathedral there is a very beautiful silver gilt


INTRODUCTION.

liii

19I inches in diameter, which was made about 1650. The broad border of this is ornamented with fruit and flowers in high This was probably made for a domestic salver, though it relief. is now used as an alms-dish. At Towcester Church, Co. Northampton, there is a large and handsome, but plain, ewer and basin,* which were made in 1691, and given to the church in 1755 by Thomas Farmor, Earl of dish*,

Pomfret.

At Easton Neston, in the same county, there is an ewert which an excellent specimen of Paul de Lamerie's work, and was made It is beaker-shaped, without stem, the foot formed by a in 1735. is

double-rolled ornament, the lower portion enriched by a raised Romanesque pattern, the upper portion quite plain; the spout is curved, and also enriched with a raised pattern; the handle is partly formed of foliage. The lid is large and very ornate, formed of double-rolled mouldings, which curve up to a centre-piece; this is high, formed of several members, and is clasped by three little brackets, above which is an ornate shield bearing the arms of Fermor

snd Jeffreys, and surmounted by an by the Earl of Pomfret. Another beautiful ewer belonging

made by Lamerie

in 1741,

earl's coronet.

It

was given

to the Goldsmiths' Company, in 1862 at South Kensing-

was exhibited "

On the lower part of the vase is a helmet-shaped. winged mermaid with two tails, accompanied by two boy-tritons blowing conches. The foot consists of marine flowers, shells, and On the upper part of the vase are festoons of flowers, and reptiles. the company's badges, the leopards' heads. The handle has a very bold half-length figure of a sea-god, terminating in foliage." The Company also own a salver to correspond, which is ornamented with Louis Quatorze scrolls and figures of boys. After this time the work becomes plainer, engraving being used instead of repousse work. In the time of Queen Anne these vessels were also engraved and chased. The salvers often had the edges shaped, and were mounted on small feet. A little later they took the form of elliptical trays with handles. ton.

It

*

is

Markham's "Church Plate

of the

County .

232, 287.

t See previous page.

of

Northampton," pp. L ,

112,


INTRODUCTION.

liv

Staniintg Salts. ^^

Where

is

the salt; where are the hospitable tables?''^ PoTTEK,

"

Antiquities of Greece," B.

iii,

c.

21.

Vessels

to contain salt played an important part in the economy of the house in the Middle Ages, the great standing salt marking the line between the higher and lower guests at the table.

The earliest salts are shaped like hour-glasses, and are sometimes with and sometimes without covers. At Corpus Christi College and New College, Oxford, and a few other places, there are specimens of this type, which were all made towards the end of the fifteenth century.

In the sixteenth century the type changed to a cylindrical form, Of richly ornamented with repousse work, and covered with a lid. this pattern is the fine standing salt at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, which was made in 1554. There is also a good standing It is of silver gilt, salt belonging to the Corporation of Norwich. 15 J inches high, cylindrical in shape, and the cover is surmounted by a statuette resting on a spear, with a shield bearing the city arms; At Portsmouth there is, with the Corporathe date of it is 1 567-8. tion plate, another fine standing salt, made in 161 5-6, with cylindrical body, having a bowl for salt at the top, then three

brackets supporting a second bowl, and three more brackets supporting a cover, which is surmounted by a three-cornered ornamental Standing salts of this period are also found of square spike.* form, and in appearance more like caskets than salts. Such a salt is that belonging to the Vintners' Hall, London, which is of silver Somewhat later the salt gilt, and a most beautiful specimen. assumed a bell shape, and it was sometimes divided into several compartments, fitting one above another, in order to contain salt

and

spices.

In the seventeenth century salts of more simple form came into use, which were low and plain, sometimes circular, sometimes square, and sometimes octagonal. Small trencher salts were also used; these were circular or triangular, with a small depression in the centre to contain the salt. A very remarkable silver salt, made about 1698, is the exact model of the original Eddystone lighthouse. This is made in The lower is large and empty, and appears to be made of stories. piles bound together; the next has a lid perforated for pepper, and appears as if made of masonry the upper story is also made of masonry, having a depression above to contain the salt; this is sur;

rounded by a gallery and surmounted by the perforated for pounded sugar; above this again *

"Corporation Plate," by

LI.

Jewitt and

W. H.

lantern, is

St.

scroll

which work,

John Hope.

is

ter-


INTRODUCTION. minating in a weather-vane. Outside there the base to the first story, where it joins a

Iv is

a

ladder from winding staircase

little

little

leading to the gallery. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries small open salts, standing on feet, and often being simply a cage or frame to contain a small glass vessel holding the salt, came into use.

Spoons. "

Therfore behoveth him a fid long spone That shot ete with a fend!* ^Chaucer,

"

The Squiere's Tale,"

1.

10,916.

Some

elegant specimens of Anglo-Saxon spoons have been " found in England. Two of these are figured in ArchaeoThe first made of silver jewelled with garnets, was found logia."* at Chatham, and is an interesting example; the second was found at Desborough, Co. Northampton, and is also probably Anglodifferent parts of

Saxon; the bowl is large and oval, the stem plain, tied in at intervals by small bands the handle also is oval and flat, and ornamented ;

an incised pattern. Silver spoons appear to be first mentioned in the will of Martin de S. Cross in 1259,! and from that time they are frequently re-

v/ith

ferred to in medieeval wills. One of the most beautiful spoons now in existence is that known as the Coronation spoon. Although the date of this cannot be it is determined, accurately supposed to be of the twelfth or thirteenth century. It is made of silver gilt, with four pearls on the lower part of the handle the bowl is elegantly ornamented with an engraved arabesque pattern, and the handle also is well moulded.* This spoon is used to hold the oil for anointing the sovereign at the Coronation, and is now kept with the regalia in the Tower of ;

London.

A very early domestic silver spoon, of slender make, with fig" " six-sided stele," and gilt shaped bowl, dyamond poynte," is mentioned by Mr. C. J. Jackson.H In the bowl is stamped the leopard's head, uncrowned, but surrounded by a circle of dots and the spoon probably belongs to the early part of the fourteenth ;

century.

with the head and shoulders of the Virgin Spoons terminating " are known as Maidenhead spoons," and such spoons are and recorded in an inventory of Durham Priory made in I446; several good examples of these spoons are still in existence.

Mary

*

t t II

Vol. LIII, pp. 116, 117. " Wills and Inventories " (Surtees Society, " Archseologia," Vol. LIII, p. 118. Ibid., Vol. LIII, p. 130. " Wills and Inventories " (Surtees Society,

2),

2),

i,

i,

9.

91.


INTRODUCTION.

Ivi

Other examples have knops shaped as acorns, diamond points, Sometimes the handle was

animals, birds, or other terminations.

Silver Spoon.

Stamped

in Barnstable,

St. Matthias,

c.

1660, belonging to J.

H. Walter, Esq.

Silver Apostle Spoon. date 1656, belonging to J. H. Walter, Esq.

0030^ Silver Seal Head Spoon.

Stamped

in Norwich, 1610, belonging to J. H. Walter, Esq.

c.

simply cut

off,

Maidenhead Spoon. H. Walter, Esq.

1650, belonging to J.

and such a spoon was said

stalk," and, being

to be "slipped in the almost painfully plain, obtained favour with the

Puritans.

An

apostle spoon

made

in

1

490-1 appears to be the earliest

still


INTRODUCTION.

Ivii

many of later date. The most perfect probably that made in 1626-7, now belonging to the GoldThis set consists of thirteen pieces, one being the smiths' Company. " Master spoon," bearing the figure of Christ the others bearing the At Dallington, figures of the twelve apostles, each with his symbol. Co. Northampton, there is a pretty little spoon with St. Andrew bearing the cross saltier, which was made in York in 1599-1600, and which is now used as a strainer spoon in the church.* In the seventeenth century the form of the stem changed, becoming flatter and wider at the top, and often turned up and a little later the stem was continued at the back of the bowl, forming remaining, though there are set is

;

;

the rat-tail type. In the middle of the eighteenth century the "Onslow" pattern of spoon was introduced the handle of this is curved like an Ionic ;

volute, only

downwards instead of upward,

as

had previously been

the case.

Then followed "

pattern

the

many

varieties of the

"

King

"

and

"

Fiddle

spoon, which are in use at the present day.

Jfnrks. "

Then must you learn the

use,

and handling of your

silver

forke

at meales."

Ben Jonson, "The Fox,"

iv,

1.

Silver forks did not come into general use until comparatively times, though the quotation given above shows that they were used in 1605 when "Rare Old Ben Jonson" wrote his Volpone. The earlier forks no doubt were made of steel. The oldest now known are probably the set of twelve which were made in 1667, and are now at Cotehele, Co. Cornwall. These have three prongs, with Another three-pronged fork, plain flat handle, cleft at the top. made during the reign of Charles II, was dug up in Covent Garden. This has a flat round handle, nicked at the top, on which is engraved a coat-of-arms.t Four-pronged forks were first made in 1726, although there is one with the Musgrave crest that was made in 1683, but it is possible that this was fashioned out of a spoon. All modern forks are made with four prongs, the handles generally matching the spoons with which they are used.

modern

*

Markham's " Church Plate

t Cripps's

of the County of Northampton," p. 89. " Old English Plate," 1891, p. 313.


INTRODUCTION.

Iviii

A

candlestick all of gold. Zec.

iv,

2.

The

celebrated candlestick made in the twelfth century at Gloucester, of white metal gilt, is the earliest, as well as one of the It has a large head with pricket, a straight finest, in the country.

SiLVEK Candlestick.

Date

1791-2, belonging to J.

H. Walter, Esq.

stem with three bosses, interlaced bands, knots, monsters, and other objects, on a tripod of dragon's claws, and is of Byzantine charIt was given by Abbot Peter of Gloucester to the Church acter. of St. Peter at that city, and is now in the South Kensington

Museum.* Pollen's

"

Gold and Silver Smiths' Work.


INTRODUCTION.

lix

After this solitary specimen there is nothing to be noticed until the reign of Charles II. then meet with candlesticks having square bases, stems composed of clustered columns, and a square rim. In the seventeenth century baluster stems of simple form came into fashion, and a little later more ornate patterns were employed. In the eighteenth century the Corinthian column was introduced for About candlesticks, movable candle sockets being then first used. the same time baluster stems were used. The candlesticks were then enriched with festoons of flowers looped to bosses or masks in high relief, the whole being very ornate and often of great beauty. During the present century all the old designs have been reproduced for candlesticks.

We

It is sad to think of the multitude of beautiful articles which have been made for pleasure and for state, and destroyed. Indeed the very costliness of the materials in which the great goldsmiths of all ages have wrought, has ensured the ruin of their beautiful

works. At various times religious houses, sovereigns and nobles, have sold their treasures, which have found their way into the melting pot, and applied the proceeds for their immediate needs. In this sketch it has not been possible to do more than give an outline of the history of the workings of the precious metals, of the makers, of the various vessels wrought, and of the changes of form that have obtained at different times. Still, it is hoped that these notes may not be without interest to those who appreciate old, curious, or beautiful workmanship. C. A.

MARKHAM,

F.S.A.



ENGLISH GOLD AND SILVER SMITHS.



ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS, following interesting notes relating" to celebrated gold and Gilda Aurif abrorum," smiths, are taken from the written by the late Mr. William Chaffers, and first published in 1883 by Messrs. Reeves and Turner. Among the celebrated goldsmiths of a remote period* who, it will be remembered, were frequently artists and designers of architecture, as well as sculptors, painters, and workers in the precious metals, and excelling in one or more of the fine arts we shall include in our list several of foreign extraction, but who must

THE

silver

have resided for a lengthened period in England, judging from the beautiful examples extant, and their elaborate workmanship, many of which are still preserved in this country. give a probably imperfect record of their names and the well-known specimens of their art which have rendered them famous all over Europe, confining ourselves as much as possible to those of

We

our

own

country.

Saint Dunstan (Patron of English Goldsmiths).

Tenth century. Dunstan of Glastonbury, where he was born His father's name was Herstan; his mother's, Cynedrida. He entered a monastery when young, and probably learned there the goldsmith's art. When he left, he erected a cell in which was a forge as well as an oratory, adjacent to the Church of Glastonbury; employing his time partly in devotional austerities and partly in the exercise of making ecclesiastical vessels and ornaments for the church, such as crosses, censers and chalices, as well as goldsmith's work in general, both for the clergy and laity. He instituted the Order of Benedictine Friars, one of its rules being the prohibition of marriage, which, it is said, originated from a disappointment in love he met with in early life. While working at his forge and anvil on one occasion, a mysterious person entered his cell to give an extensive order for plate, A.D. 924.

^^' ^' ^- Hilton Price has kindlv furnished us with his pamphlet of Notes on the Early Goldsmiths and Bankers, to the Close of the XVII Century," to which we have made frequent reference. (Proceedings of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, Vol. V.)


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

2

but Dunstan discovered that his visitor was no less a person than the devil himself in disguise, on which he immediately took the red-hot tongs from the fire and seized His Infernal Majesty by the nose; the unexpected application made him roar and bellow so as So runs the tradition. to disturb the whole neighbourhood. Dunstan at length attracted the notice of the Saxon king, Athelstan, and he was made Abbot of Glastonbury in the year 942 by his successor. King Edmund, who supplied him with money to restore the Abbey. He continued in favour with Edred and Edwy, and was raised by them to the dignities of Bishop of Worcester, subsequently Bishop of London, and in 961 he became Archbishop of Canterbury. On the accession of Ethelred II in 978, his influence with that monarch declined, and he was deposed but although shortly reinstated, he was so mortified that he died of grief and vexation in A.D. 988, and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral. He was canonised as saint, and from his high appointments in the State, combined with his previous employment as goldsmith and worker in the precious metals, he was chosen patron of the goldsmiths of England, and especially by the Goldsmiths' Company of London, who paid to his memory honours without end. Their records abound with notices of ceremonials and observances to their patron saint on special occasions. Their gorgeous hall was adorned with his image of silver-gilt set with gems and precious stones of fabulous price. Much of their plate bore his effigy. They had " St. " Dunstan's Light kept constantly burning in St. John Zachary's the cost of maintaining which formed an annual item in Church, ;

their

Wardens' accounts.

Cathedral. In 1460,

"On

St.

They had

Dunstan's Eve

all

a chapel also in St. Paul's the hoole

companye of the

Lyverye shall assemble at the Hall in their second lyverye and shall have iiij chapeleynes to wayte and goo before them to Pawls " (St. On its being debated whether St. Dunstan's day should be Paul's). kept by shutting up their shops and keeping holiday, the Company " agreed to do so. He is designated in their books Seynt Dunstan, our blessed Patron, Protector, and Founder," and on their feast days they drank to his memory from a great and costly cup, surmounted by a statuette of the saint, called "St. Dunstan's Cup." He was considered as having been a brother of the craft; indeed, some of his handicraft was extant in 1280, for in the wardrobe accounts of Edward I is noted " A gold ring with a sapphire of the workmanship of St. Dunstan." However, all these observances ceased at the Reformation. Under date 1550, the Company changed their election day, and discarded the religious ceremonies from St. Dunstan's day to that of the Holy Trinity but still their festivities were conA few years earlier (in 1547, October 4), we read "At the tinued. assembly on this day Mr. Wardens desired to know the pleasure of the assistants for the ymage of Seint Dunstan, because of the In" junctions," and they agreed that Mr. Alderman Bowes (Sir Martin), :

;

:

and the Wardens with iiij other, soche as they sholde appoynte, sholde take the same ymage and breake yt, and turn yt to the moste


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

3

Also that the gret standyng cuppe with Seynt profett of the house. Dunston on the topp, sholde be lykewyse by them bee broken and turned into other plate." To Dunstan has been attributed the placing of pegs in tankards. Finding that quarrels very frequently arose in taverns from disputes about the proper share of the liquor when they drank out of the same cup, he advised Edgar to order gold or silver pegs to be fastened at regulated distances in the pots, that every man should know his The space between each peg contained half a pint. just allowance. must not leave unnoticed the splendid tapestry used for the decoration of Goldsmiths' Hall, made at a great expense in Flanders, illustrating events in the history of St. Dunstan; the entire The Wardens' accounts contain ;^550. expense of which work was " Paid Mr. Gerard Hughes for the rich arras some interesting items for the hanging of the Hall; for devising the story; for making the stories in black and white; to four masters, every one of them sixteen days at a shilling a day; for a boy to sharpen their colours (chalks); for the translation of the story out of English into Dutch, to Mr. Hughes for that the foreign workmen might understand it costs and charges, lying in Flanders, and for canvas, &c." A.D. 600. 5/. Eloi, Bishop of Noyon, was born in 588 at Catalac in Limoges, and received the name Eligius (chosen by God), as a

We

:

:

prognostic of his great destiny. He was chosen Patron of French Goldsmiths, having succeeded St. Martial, or Marcel. He was apprenticed to a goldsmith named Abbo, and when he was perfected in his art he went to Neustria, and made acquaintance with the treasurer of King Clothaire, named Bobbo, who introduced him, and he was entrusted by the King with a mass of gold to make a fauteuil, to be incrusted with precious stones. With the quantity of gold he had received he made two fauteuils, instead of one, as ordered. The " One King was astonished to see two instead of one, and exclaimed can judge from this act of the confidence which may be placed in the conduct of more important things." He advanced speedily in his art, and made a great number of gold vases set with precious stones and other jewels, assisted by his apprentice, Thillon. King Dagobert placed the same confidence in Eloi; he was the founder of the monastery of Solignac, which, like others of the same time, were schools of the liberal arts, especially that of goldsmith. Thillon was made abbot. Numerous vessels of gold and silver were made by him for the churches, especially for St. Denis. The chair above alluded to is preserved in the Cabinet des Antiques at Paris tradias well as an altar-cross, set with tionally attributed to Eloi precious stones, made by order of King Dagobert, at St. Denis. Saint Eloi, Bishop of Noyons, died in 659. His name is here introduced, being chosen as Patron of the Guild of "Hammermen" of Scotland, or smiths, among which goldsmiths were anciently included, until those of Edinburgh obtained a separate charter in 1586, confirmed in 1687. 600. Thillcn, pupil of St. Eloi, before-mentioned, was of :

Saxon

or English origin.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

4

Alfred the Great, although not actually a pracgoldsmith, greatly encouraged, and probably superintended, the working of the precious metals into jewellery and plate. The business of a goldsmith was held in great repute by the Anglo-Saxons, and a poem in that language, speaking of the various conditions of men, contains lines which may be thus translated A.D. 849-901.

tical

:

"

For one a wondrous

*

skill

In goldsmith's art Is provided. Full oft he decorates And well adorns

A

powerful King's noble, he to him gives broad

And

Lands

in recompence."

the many skilful artificers collected by Alfred the Great many workers in gold and silver, who, acting under his instructions, executed with incomparable skill many articles in these metals.

Among

were

In striking corroboration of this account, a most beautiful and interesting example is preserved in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, called the Alfred Jewel; this golden brooch, or locket, is of oval shape, richly wrought, and decorated with an enamel portrait outlined with gold cloisons on a piece of rock-crystal around the bust, in Saxon characters, are the words Aelfred me haet gewercan (Alfred had me wrought). It was discovered in 1693 in the Isle of Athelney (near the Abbey), where Alfred retreated in A.D. 878, and fortified it against the Danes the portrait may not improbably be that of the King himself. Otto the Elder, goldsmith in the reign of William II, 1090. was appointed Engraver to the Mint. ;

;

Eleventh century. Theophilus, a monk of the middle of the eleventh century, was a practical goldsmith, or he could not have described so minutely the technical details of the goldsmith's trade. His work entitled "Div^ersarum Artium Schedula" ("Essay on Various Arts ") treats of miniature-painting, glass-making, enamel, and the goldsmith's art so accurately that his instructions can be followed at the present day. His nationality is disputed; he has been claimed by Germany, Italy and France as a native, or denizen, but it is a moot question, and why may not England put in a claim ? for we have shown that these arts were practised in this country Fie describes the successfully in convents at that early period. methods of working gold and silver the necessary tools, the ingredients of the alloy, etc. He was, at the same time, aurifabnnn inirahilem pictorein doctuin et Vitrearium sagacem, or three artists in one.

Eleventh century. Yulfuin, or Yulfinus, a monk of Chichester, a goldsmith in the eleventh century, is mentioned by Ordoricus Vitalis. From the similarity of the name of the goldsmith,

who was


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS. Wolvinus, who has arisen. 1

made

the Paliotto of Milan, in 835,

5

some confusion

Leofstane, goldsmith, flourished in the reign of Henry I. the King, Provost of London, a title antecedent to

100.

He was made, by that of Mayor.

mo. The

celebrated Gloucester candlestick, preserved in the

South Kensington Museum, must be noticed as an example of English monkish workmanship, made at Gloucester, a fine example of the transition period between the Romanesque, or Celtic, and the of alloyed silver, and has a straight stem, with three interlaced bands, knots, and pierced foliage supporting men, monsters, dragons, birds, etc., on a tripod of dragons' claws. It bears several Latin inscriptions, one of which records its gift by Abbot Peter of Gloucester to the Church of St. Peter, at Gloucester. These pricket candlesticks were freIt is twenty-three inches high. quently of large size. The most complete example is the sevenGothic.

bosses,

It is

and

branched candlestick at Milan Cathedral, of gilt bronze, of about the same date, above fourteen feet high. 1 1 Otto, the Younger, and William Fitz Otto were gold30. smiths in the reign of Henry I, and were severally engravers to the Mint.

Twelfth century. Bnthnodus, Abbot of Ely, was a worker in gold and silver. Four images made by him, covered with silver gilt and precious stones, were stripped to appease the resentment of William the Conqueror. Twelfth century. Z ^6', a contemporary of Brithnodus, was by

him

instructed in the goldsmith's art. Twelfth century. Elsinus, his successor,

made a reliquary for the bones of St. Kindreda. The Abbey was able to offer William the Conqueror a thousand marks by the sacrifice of gold and silver ornaments, after the resistance made in the island by the Saxons. Twelfth century. Baldwin, a goldsmith (probably a monk of the Abbey of St. Albans), is mentioned by Matthew Paris as the maker of a large cup of gold for Robert, Abbot of St. Albans, " which was adorned with flowers and foliages of the most delicate workmanship, and set with precious stones in the most elegant manner." His Latinised name was Bauduinus. Twelfth century. Robert, Abbot of St. Albans, is noticed by Mathew Paris as being a skilful goldsmith. He made two remarkable reliquaries, covered with golden images, and other choice works in gold and silver. He was a great promoter of the goldsmith's art, and under

his supervision

many

artistic

and sumptuous

objects were

fabricated.

Twelfth century.

Ralph

Flael, in the reign of

Henry

II,

was a

goldsmith and Alderman of London he held in demesne the ward of Aldersgate. He is mentioned in the amerciaments of the guilds " for being adulterine, that is, set up without special license. Gilda aurifabrorum unde Radulfus Flael est Aldermanus." Twelfth century. Anketil was a celebrated goldsmith. He was a monk of St. Albans, and acquired such a reputation for his ;


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

6

works in the precious metals that he was invited by the King of tO' superintend his goldsmiths' works, and be his banker

Denmark

A

and money-changer. pair of candlesticks, made of silver and gold, and presented by Robert, Abbot of St. Albans, to Pope Adrian (our countryman), were so much esteemed for their exquisite workmanship that they were consecrated to the basilica of St. Peter at Rome. Twelfth century. Solomon of Ely was a pupil of Anketil of St. Albans, and assisted him in his works at the monastery. 1 1 Henry Fitz Alwyn, goldsmith. King Richard I, Coeur 89. de Lion, in order to maintain the expenses incurred in the Crusades, levied large subsidies upon the city, and in return granted to the citizens the privilege of electing their own chief magistrate, who was designated " Maior," a title taken from the Norman Maire. The first elected to this high office was Henry Fitz Alwyn, whose ancestor Alwyn, cousin of King Edgar, was styled "Alderman of all England." Henry Fitz Alwyn was mayor for twenty-four years (1189-1213).

Henry de Cornhill was Warden of

the Mint, fourth In the third year of Richard I he accounted for the profits of the Cambium of all England, except Winchester. William Fitzwilliam, a goldsmith, about this time 1212. founded at St. Helen's, in Bishopsgate, a priory of Benedictine Nuns, and probably built a church for them, against that of St. Helen's, which afterwards came into their possession; the ruins of the nun1

and

ig2-7,.

Richard

fifth

I.

nery were pulled down in 1799.* Thirteenth century. William Fitz Oiho, or Otto, in the sixth of King John (1204) made the dies for the Mint at Chichester, being to the Mint,

Engraver

Uger, goldsmith, was Master of the Mint in this year. Everard, a goldsmith of London, was Warden of the 1224. King's Exchange at the Mint, ninth Henry HI. 1242. Ralph Eswy, goldsmith, was one of the Sheriffs in 1242. " In 1 243 he was again chosen Mayor and presented to his Lordship the King at Westminster." (Riley, "Mayors and Sheriffs of London.") 1243. Hugh Bland, goldsmith, was one of the Sheriffs in 1243. 12^'^.^Richard Abel, goldsmith, succeeded William Fitz Otho 1222.

as

to the Mint (twenty-seventh Henry III). Williajn Fitz Otho, probably the same mentioned above,

Engraver 1243.

was goldsmith to King Henry III, and made many rich ornaments for the use and adornment of the Lady Chapel in Westminster In the twenty -eighth year of this king's reign (1243) directed Fitz Otho to make "a dragon in manner of a standard ensign, of red samit, to be embroidered with gold, and his tongue appear as continually moving, his eyes of sapphires, to be placed

Abbey.

*

he or to in

He was the son of " William the Goldsmith.'' Sir William Fitz William, Merchant Taylor, servant to Cardinal Wolsey, Alderman of Bread Street Ward, 1506, was a lineal descendant, from whom is descended the present Earl FitzWilliam.

(" Annals of St. Helens," by Rev. J. E. Cox, D.D.)


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

7

Two years later he the church against the King's coming thither." ordered the Keeper of the Exchequer to "buy as precious a mitre as could be found in the city of London, for the Archbishop's use, and also one great coronal of silver to set wax candles upon in the said church." William of Glouceste/, "the King's Goldsmith," was 1255. In the forty-first Keeper of the Dies, Master of the Mint in 1258. for St. Peter's ornament further a as "This III King, (1256) Henry to be erected monument a ordered sumptuous Abbey), (Westminster order to his treashis there, for daughter Catharine, deceased, giving urer and his chamberlain of the treasury to deliver to Simon de Welles, five marks and a half for his expenses in going to London for a certain brass image to be set upon her tomb, and returning home again. And upon the same tomb there was also set a silver for the making of which William of Gloucester, the King's image;

goldsmith, was paid sixty and ten marks." In this year there was a quarrel between the goldsmiths 1262. and the tailors, who met in great bodies, fully armed, with loss on both sides. The riot was quelled by the Mayor and Aldermen, and thirteen of the ringleaders executed. 1269. Among the fifty-eight adherents of Simon de Montfort, who was defeated and slain at the battle of Evesham, when III was released from prison, were Conrad, the goldsmith John Fitzpatnck, goldsmith and Hubert, the goldsmith they were

Henry

;

:

;

On the submission of the banished the kingdom with the rest. and were the fi.ned, Barons, they City of London was obliged heavily to pay 20,000 marks. (Riley.) Edward Fitz Otho, 13th century. Thomas Fitz Otho, 1265. 1280. Hugh Fitz Otho, 1290.

Thomas

1294.

William Fitz Otho,^ 1275.'

Fitz Otho,

Ralph

the wardens of the

Engraver to the Mint, and Master. do. do. do. do.

do. do. do. do.

Le Blund, goldsmith, and one of was Alderman of Bassishaw Ward. Company,

le Blount, or

He was Engraver to the Mint in 1267, having succeeded Richard Abel in that capacity. In 1275. -Michael Thovy, goldsmith, for holding with the Barons, was imprisoned with others, and, by reason of murders and robberies imputed to him by the Aldermen, was hanged in 1275. (Riley.) 1275.

the

Gregory de Rokesley,

Old Change; he was Keeper

b. celebrated goldsmith, lived in of the King's Exchange and Chief

Assay Master of all the King's mints in England. Sheriff in 1271. He was eight times Mayor, between 1275 and 1285, when, for refusing to appear at the Tower as Lord Mayor before the King's * No less than three tenants-in-chief under the Conqueror are entered in " Aurifaber." One of these. Otto .AnriDomesday, under the appellation of and his descendants, under the siuname of Fitz Otho. faber, held in Essex appear to have been almost hereditary Mint Masters to the Crown for two centuries, becoming extinct about 1300. ;


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

8

asserting his privilege by throwing off his civic robes at justices the Church of AUhallows, Barking, and then obeying the mandate as a private individual he had his office seized, together with the liberties of the city, by John de Kirkeby, the King's treasurer; and " " Ralph Sandwith (not a goldsmith) was appointed Custos in lieu of the Mayor, which office he held from 1286 to 1289. In 1297 the liberties were restored, and the office of Mayor revived. In the eighth Edward I (1279), the value of the coins had become so deteriorated by clipping, that a new standard of value

was established, and a new coinage issued, which was conducted by an agreement with William de Turnemire, of Marseilles groats and half groats were made as well as sterlings or pennies. The pound of Easterling money was to contain twelve ounces, to wit, fine silver, " Silver of such as was then made into foil, and commonly called 1 this new money Guthurons Lane,"* viz., 1 oz. 2\ dwt. The dies for were delivered to Gregory de Rokesley on May 27, 1280. Gregory de Rokesley was buried in Christ's Church, Newgate Street. 1276. Jocee, the goldsmith, was Keeper of the Dies and Master of the Mint in this year. Sir Thomas de Frowick^ Alderman of Cheap Ward and 1279. Mayor, was a warden of the Goldsmiths' Company. He is named in the Parliamentary rolls as the maker of the golden crown for the coronation of Edward's second Queen, Margaret. 1280. Sir William. Faryngdoit, goldsmith. Sheriff, 1281, and Mayor, who gave his name to the City Ward of Faringdon. Stow says that Faryngdon was purchased of Ralph le Feure "All the Aldermanrie, with the appurtenances within the Citie of London, and the Suburbs of the /ame between Ludgate and NewWhich Aldermanrie, Angate, and al/o without the /ame gates. kerinus de Averne held, during his life by the Grant of Thomas de Arderne, to have and to hold to the /aid Ralph, and to his heires, ;

:

freely without all challenge, yeelding therefore yeerely to the /aid Thomas and his heires, one Clove or Slip of Gilliflowers, at the Fea/t of Eajter ... in con/ideration of 20. marks." Laurence Diickel, goldsmith* who had taken shelter in 1284. the tower of Old Bow Church after wounding one Ralph Crepin, was murdered therein in 1284, for which, says Stow, sixteen persons were hung, a woman, named Alice, burnt, and many rich persons "hanged by the purse." The church was interdicted, the doors and

windows

filled with thorns, till it was purified again. Thirteenth century. John of Limoges probably resided many years in England, and executed the beautiful tomb, enriched with coloured champ leve enamels, of Walter de Merton, Bishop of Col-

chester, still existing in *

Westminster Abbey, f

Guthurons Lane

led out of Cheapside. east of Fester Lane, and took its resident and owner thereof, it was inhabited principally It is now called Gutter Lane.

name from a former

by gold-beaters. t It was very much the practice in the Middle Ages, especially in monasteries, to call not only the monks, but people who were instructed therein, by their Christian names, adding thereto the city or place from whence they


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

9

William Tor el, goldsmith and citizen of London. It i2go. has been attempted to prove that he was an Italian of the family of Torelli, but the name of Torel occurs in documents from the time of the Confessor down to the said William Torel. He is celebrated for the beautiful recumbent statue of Eleanore of Castile, Queen of Edward I, ob. 1290, in Westminster Abbey, on the altar tomb at the east end of Edward the Confessor's chapel, which has been thus " Her image, most curiously done in brass, gilt with gold, described her hair dishevelled and falling very handsomely about her shoulders, on her head a crown, under a fine canopy supported by two cherubim, all of brass gilt." It is well preserved, and uninjured The stone work of the Queen's as when originally placed there. tomb was constructed by Master Richard de Crundale, mason. Torel built the furnace in which the statue was cast in St. Margaret's Churchyard. Torel also executed the effigy of gilt bronze on the tomb of Henry III (1291), in the Confessor's chapel. The shrine of Edward the Confessor, erected by Henry III, when the church was rebuilt, was decorated with mosaics, the work of Peter, the Roman Citizen. The pavement before the altar was executed by Roman workmen, with materials brought from Rome. The name of the artist was Odoricus (1267-8). Ade, the King's goldsmith in the reign of Edward I, 1300. made many of the gold and silver vessels for the sideboard of that monarch. In the wardrobe accounts of Edward I his name fre:

quently occurs; from which we select the following: "Duo disci argenti pro interferculis facti per filium Ade Aurifabri Regis de proprio vesselo ipsius Regis pond vj/i. viji". iijW." 1307. John de Lout he and William de Berkinge, goldsmiths of London, were the principal jewellers of Queen Isabella, consort of King Edward II. In a Cottonian MS. communicated to the Society of Antiquaries by Mr. E. A. Bond, is noticed some jewellery purchased of them by the Queen for ^2\. Among these were "A chaplet of gold, set with balays, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and pearls, price ;^I05; a crown of gold, set with sapphires and rubies of Alexandria, price %o\ a circlet of gold, price "60," etc. Sir Nicholas Faringdon (son of Sir William), of 1308. " Chepe," goldsmith, was four times Mayor, 1308, 1313, 1320 and Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company. He was buried at 1323. St. Peter's le Chepe, a church that, before the great fire, stood where the tree still stands in the churchyard at the corner of Wood Street. Walter de Lincoln, goldsmith, is spoken of as having a 1323. tenement adjoining the eastern site purchased for the Goldsmiths' Hall, in 1323, in the way called St. Vedast, in the parish of St. John In the deed of sale by the executors of Sir Zachary, London. :

came.

These establishments were frequently schools for teaching the various and the technicalities of trades, among which was that of the goldsmith by which custom the actual surname in many instances became altogether forThis was the case, more or less, all over Europe. Hence we have John gotten. of Limoges, William de Gloucester, Solomon of Elv, "Walter de Merton, John de Chichester, Jan Van Delft, Roger of Ely, etc. arts

;


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

10

Nicholas de Segrave to Sir William de Swift, Clerk, on behalf of Company, the witnesses are ] ohn de Grantham and Sheriffs of London, Henry de Lecheford, Alderman de Ely, Roger of the Ward (Aldersgate), Richard de Wyhall, Robert Box and Thomas de Lincoln, goldsmiths. Dated May 19, 1323. Of this The second Hall is supfirst erection of the Hall little is known. posed to have been built by Sir Dru Barentine, in 1407. Lincoln, a goldsmith in the reign of Richard II, 1381, probably Thomas de Lincoln, before-mentioned, was summoned, with others, to give advice as to the best steps to be taken for the preservation of the coin in England, which had been exported to foreign counthe Goldsmiths'

tries in large quantities.

Roger of Ely, goldsmith, was Sheriff of London during 1323. In 1323, the site of the the mayoralty of Sir Nicholas Farmgdon. His name is appended as first Goldsmiths' Hall was purchased. witness to the deed of sale before referred to. 1 William of Wykeham, consecrated Bishop of Win324-1404. chester in 1367, is said to have designed the celebrated Gothic crozier which he left by will, with other plate, to New College, Oxford, of His own image is in the volute, kneeling v/hich he was the founder. before the Virgin, which last has been removed since the change of religion.

His great and useful talents, especially his skill in architecture, appear to have recommended him to the favour of Edward III. He persuaded that monarch to pull down a great part of Windsor Castle, and rebuild it from his plan, in that plain magnificence in which it now appears; and many other buildings were restored or rebuilt under his directions. He died on September 27, 1404. Sir Richard Betane, or Britaine, goldsmith, was Mayor 1326. in this year. 1332. Henry

de Gloucester, citizen and goldsmith of Lon" His will, originally in Latin, is given in Weever's Funeral Monuments," page 421. He was buried at St. Helens, London. He don.

bequeaths to his daughter, Elizabeth, vj shillings, being a nun in the said convent of St. Helen's, etc. The four wardens of the Company were Thomas de 1334.

Richard L^onerye, John de Makenhened, Srmon de Berking. -The four wardens of the Company Thomas de RokesRichard Lonereye, John de Kingeston, and another name

Berkel'e,

1337. ley,

:

illegible.

The four wardens of the Comoany Nicholas de 1339. Walyngiuick, William D'Espagne, Robert de Shordich, jun., Nicholas de Farndon. In 1339 three London goldsmiths were retained for a year by the Chapter of St. Paul's in consequence of a bequest of gold and :

jewels to the shrine of St. Erkenwald. The four wardens of the 1340.

Company: Richard Denys, Robert de Shordich, sen., Robert le Marechal, John de Kyngesion. 1349. John Walpole, goldsmith, was buried in Allhallows Church, Bread Street, 1349.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

ii

Simon de Berking, "Aurifaber, London; liberavit unum 1349. cum caput de auro, Sancti Mathei, cum una mitr' (mitre) garniat' " (Kal. perr' et perlis, et unum ped' de argento cum duobus angelis The golden chef and the silver foot were reliquaries. Exch.). Robert de Shordich, senr., Adam de Walpole, John de ili^Q. Lincoln, and Rafe Comins, goldsmiths, were wardens of the GoldIn the records, under the head of smiths' Company in this year. " Because all the wardens here mentioned were dead, exexpenses " pended on the poor (sum obliterated). The occasion of their sudden death was the great plague which desolated the greater part of England, and was especially fatal to the city of London; the nature of the above entry, and the absence of all entries for the succeeding :

year, are appalling proofs. Sir John de Chichester was an eminent goldsmith. Master 1357. of the Mint, fortieth Edward III (1365), Sheriff, 1359, Mayor,

His shop 1369-70, in which year William Walworth was Sheriff. at the corner of Friday Street, in the Chepe. He made the King's privy seal, and the wedding jewellery for the King's son and the Lady Blanche.

was

"

In Riley's Memorials of London," we find the particulars of a present of plate from the City of London to Edward the Black Prince, on his return from Gascony in 1371, from which we quote two items as an example of the manner of expressing weight and value in the fourteenth century by the Tower pound, which was given at the Mint in coined money in exchange .for the bullion received by the Mint in Troy pounds, a profit thereby accruing of threequarters of an ounce in the exchange of each pound weight converted into money, which was the King's prerogative until the Tower " pound was abolished in 1527 Bought of John de Chichestre, Goldsmith, 48 esqueles (ecuelles) and 24 salt-cellars, by Goldsmiths' 'j^ 5s. od., adding six shillings in the pound with the weight, also 6 chargers' weight, making, total \Qig os. gd. i\ i8s. 9d., which amounts, with the making, to i\ 7s. 2d.," etc. Goldsmiths' :

;

weight (poids d'orfevres) was the same as the Tower weight. Thomas Raynham, goldsmith. His name occurs in the 1360. Royal Wardrobe Accounts as one of Edward Ill's goldsmiths. Fourteenth century. Godfrey, of Wood Street. 1360. John Hyltoft. In 1369 (forty-second Edward HI) an agreement, still extant, was entered into between the Goldsmiths' Company and the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, for maintaining a chantry in the Chapel of St. Dunstan in that cathedral for the soul of John Hyltoft, goldsmith of London. The date at which the goldsmiths founded this chapel we know not, but that they maintained its altar in great splendour is evident, from mention in the account of items of expenditure connected therewith. There is an inventory of silver vessels extant, bought of the executors of John

Edward III (1369). Thomas Hessey, goldsmith to Edward III,

Hiltoft, goldsmith, forty-second 1366.

for

furnished a quantity of table plate; also "plate bought of

whom

he

Thomas


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

12

Hessey, goldsmith of London, and presented to the Constable of Flanders and others, as gifts from the King." Thirty-ninth

Edward

III.

Simon le Maserer, goldsmith, 1369. benefactors to the Goldsmiths' Company.

is

mentioned among the

He

also left money for Simon was so called from being a maker of silver-mounted masers, as bowls and cups were formerly called, and were in general use at that period, made of maple or other hard wood, mounted in silver, with broad bands, frequently inscribed and chased. John Standulph, goldsmith, his name occurs in a docu1369. ment of this year. He was Master of the Goldsmiths' Company, and was buried in the Church of St. Foster, Foster Lane Hawkin, of Liege, a Flemish artist, executed the figure 1369. of Queen Philippa, which lies upon her tomb in Westminster Abbey, his obit at St. Dunstan's Chapel, in St. Paul's.

cushioned head-dress, which

said to be the first an actual likeness. Queen Philippa, wife of Edward HI, was the founder of Queen's Around the tomb were placed the statuettes of College, Oxford.

remarkable for

its

is

attempt to portray the features of the face or

thirty royal personages, to

whom

she was related, the niches only in

which they were placed being in existence. The magnificence of the work may be imagined from the fact that it contained, when perfect, more than seventy statuettes besides several brass figures on the surrounding railing. The tomb of Edward HI (1377), by the same hand, has been somewhat better preserved, six of the statuettes still remaining on one side of the monument* 1370. ]ohn Walsh, goldsmith of London. Edward IV bought of him a silver gilt cup, decorated with enamel. 1382. John Frensshe, goldsmith. In Riley's "London Life," read, under this date: "One mazer cup, bound with silver gilt, value x% another value v^ stolen from John Frensshe, goldsmith."

we

The four wardens of the Goldsmiths' Company in this were Robert Lucas, John Cramb, Herre Bame, and Herre Malyear 1380.

vayne. Sir Nicholas Twyford was goldsmith to Edward III. 1388. Sheriff in 1377. Mayor in 1388. He is mentioned in the accounts of the Company of 1379. He was knighted, with Sir William Walworth, in 1388. He was buried in the Church of St. John Zachary in 1390, which church he had rebuilt. 1389.

John Edmund, goldsmith. Engraver

pointed by Richard 1

390-1.

Sir

to the Mint, ap-

II.

Adam Bamme,

and 1396-7. beyond the sea,

goldsmith. Sheriff, 1382,

Mayor

in

"In a great dearth, he procured corn from parts in sufficient abundance to serve the city and the countries near adjoining; to the furtherance of which good work he took out of the orphans' chest in the Guildhall two thousand marks 1

391

*

The features of the effigy which lies on the tomb are believed to have been cast from the King's face as he lay in death, and, as Lord Lindsay says "The head is almost ideal in its beauty." ("Christian Art," iii) :


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

13

to buy the said corn, and each alderman laid out twenty pounds to the like purpose." He was buried in the Church of St. George,

Botolph Lane, where his son, Richard Bamme, of Gillingham, Kent, also

lies,

ob. 1452.

Thomas

1395.

Pole, goldsmith,

was buried

in the

Church of

Matthew, Friday Street, in 1395. Adam Browne, goldsmith, was Lord Mayor in 1397. 1397. ] ohn May hew. "Paid for a stone of adamant, "orna1399. mented and set in gold, xl /i." First Henry IV. (Devon's Pell St.

The stone of adamant was a loadstone frequently the person as an amulet against maladies set in metal. alter Prest and 'Nicholas Broker executed in gilt metal 1400. the effigies of Richard II and Anne of Bohemia, in the Confessor's Chapel, Westminster Abbey, in the beginning of the fifteenth cenIn the Kalendar of the Exchequer, eighteenth Richard II, is tury. a copy of the indenture for the construction of the tomb of Richard II and his Queen, in Westminster Abbey, between the King and Master Yevele and Stephen Lote, stonemasons (latomos), for a marble tomb for Anna, recently Queen of England, and the said Lord King; also an indenture between the King and Nicholas Broker ?nd Walter Prest, "coppersmiths" of London, to make two statues (ymagines) in the likeness of the King and Queen, of brass and laton gilt upon the said marble tomb with other clauses contained in the indenture ; also a design or model (patron) of the likenesses of the King and Queen, from which model the said work was to be completed. This tomb was placed in the Abbey before the King's death, his body being subsequently removed from Pontefract Castle and placed under his effigy by Henry V, the son of his murderer.

Records.")

worn about

W

;

Sir Drugo, or Dru, Barentyne, goldsmith, was twice 1400. Mayor, 1398, 1408, Sheriff in 1393, M.P. for the City of London, He lived in Foster Lane. He built the second Goldsmiths' 1394. Hall in 1407. In 1395 a singular grant was issued to Margaret, Countess of Norfolk, and Drugo Barentyne, goldsmith of London, licensing them to melt down groats, half -groats, and sterlings, or pennies, to the amount of ;^ioo, and to make thereof a silver vessel It is for the use of the said Margaret, notwithstanding the Statute. not easy to ascertain the object of this grant, for it is scarcely possible that there was not a sufficiency of bullion in another form to " be readily obtained. He gave fair lands to the goldsmiths," ac" cording to Stow, and dwelled right against the Goldsmiths' Hall, betweene the which Hall and his dwelling-house he builded a gallory thwarting the streete, whereby he might go from one to the He was buried in the Church of St. John Zachary, on other."

December

15, 141 5.

John Frances, goldsmith, was Mayor in this year, He was buried in the Church of St. John 1390 Zachary. "Johannes Frances, civis et aurifaber et quondam Maior London, qui obiit, 13 December 1405." 1

400- 1.

1400-1.

Sir

Sheriff,


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

14

The four wardens of the Goldsmiths' Company were 1403. William Grantham, Salomon Oxeneye, Thomas Lenyde, Robert Hall.

Thomas Atte Hay was a benevolent goldsmith; he be" "Horn Tavern" in 1405, now known as Anderton's the queathed Hotel," Fleet Street, to the Goldsmiths' Company, for the better support and sustentation of the infirm members of the Company. The estimated value of his bequest was formerly 760 per annum. 1409. -William- Chicheley, goldsmith, was Sheriff in this year. William Fitzhugh, goldsmith, was Comptroller of the 141 5. 1405.

Mint from 1400 down to 141 8. 1 Solomon Oxney was one of the Members of Parliament 41 9. for the City in 1419. Gilbert Van 1422.

Brandeberg, goldsmith, Engraver to the

Mint.

Bartholomew Seman, gold-beater, usually called "Bar1422. tholomew Goldbeter," was Master of the King's Mints, tenth of Henry V, and first and second Henry VI, within the Tower of London and the town of Calais. He died in 1430, and was buried in the Church of St. John Zachary. In first Henry VI, Johjt B ernes, of London, goldsmith, 1422. was appointed by the King to make the money weights for the noble, the half and quarter, and to stamp them, according to the form of the statute of the ninth year of the late King. 1429. William Russe, goldsmith, Sheriff, 1429, Master of the Mints of London, Calais, Bristol and York, tenth and eleventh Henry VI (143 1-2), and Warden of the Exchange, tenth Henry VI. (Stow spells his name Rous.) He was buried in St. Peter's Church, in Chepe. 1432.^

-J

ohn

Oreivell, goldsmith,

Engraver

to the Mint, 1432-40.

.... Remonde, a goldsmith. In the privy purse exof penses Henry VII (1437): "Item delivered by your said commandment to send that same day to my Lady of Gloucestre a nouche 1437.

maad

manner of a man, garnized with a faire gret balay, v gret diamand pointed, with three gret hangers garnized with rubies and perles, bought of Remonde, the goldsmyth, for the some in

perles,

of xi

i

gret

ur

1439.

William Austin, of London.

Flaxman, speaking of

monument of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, at Warwick, describes the figures as being natural and graceful, the archithe

and delicate, and that they are excelled by nothing done of the same kind at this time, although Donatello and Italy Ghiberti were living when this tomb was erected in 1439. He says, " The artist was William Austin, of London." We insert his name among the goldsmiths, although we have no positive record that he was actually a worker in the precious metals; but the arts were so nearly allied, the sculptor having so frequently received instruction in the workshop of the goldsmith, as in the case of Ghiberti, to whom we have just alluded, that we may be excused in thus recording his name in the list as an English artist and goldsmith. tecture rich

in


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

15

Master 1 440- 1. Sir John Pattesley, or Paddesley, goldsmith, of the Mint, 1434 and 1483, Sheriff, 1432, Mayor in 1440-1, son of Simon Pattesley, of Bury St. "Edmunds. In the privy purse exFyrste delivered by your gracious penses of Henry VII (1437): commandment and appointment to send to Queen Katerine for her she being at Bermondsey, j tablett yerisgifte on New Year's Day, of golde with a crucihxe garnized with sapphires and perles weyng aboute xiiij unc' of golde, and was bought of John Patteslee, goldein St. Michael's, smyth, for the some of xl li." He was buried Crooked Lane. In this year the following wardens of the craft of the 1442. Goldsmiths' Company were chosen: William Walton, William Basenire, or Bismere', William Porter, and William Rakeley, or Rockley. re-elected in 1444, but their names were differently is as frequently the case in early MSS. spelt, John Sutton, goldsmith, was one of the Sheriffs in 1440. 1450. Among the epitaphs in St. John Zachary's Church,* Stow gives the

They were

"

Here lieth the body of John Sutton, citizen, goldsmith, and Alderman of London, who died 6th July, 1450. This brave and worthy alderman was killed in the defence of the city, in the bloody nocturnal battle on London Bridge, against the infamous Jack Cade and his army of Kentish rebels." German Lyas, a foreigner, was admitted into the fran1450. chise of Goldsmiths of London, to use the same craft as a freeman, ^ 6s. 8d. for which privilege he paid to the Almesse of St. Dunstan In 1452 this same German Lyas was brought before the Wardens for various offences, and particularly for selling a "tablet of gold" which was dishonourably wrought, being two parts of silver. On deliberation it was awarded that he should give to the fraternity a " lowley" obey himself on his knees."" gilt cup of 24 oz. weight, and This he did, bringing into the Hall a cuppe chased with a sonne (sun), weighing 26 oz., and was pardoned. William Breaks-peare, goldsmith, died 1461, buried in St. 1450. John's Zachary, where he is styled "sometime merchant, goldsmith and alderman, the Commonweale attendant." following

:

Thomas Harrison, goldsmith, is thus lauded in the Com1452. pany's books in 1452: "Considering how much the Company was indebted and their livelihood ruinous and in decline, great part of which could not be helped without great and notable cost, had of his blessed dispocition given twenty pounds towards making a parlour in one of the Company's houses in Wood Street." Thomas Baby, Chaplain to the Goldsmiths' Company, 1452. " Dominus was buried in St. Foster's, Foster Lane, thus recorded Thomas Baby quondam capellanus aurifabrorum London, qui obiit :

3 die

Novembri 1452" (Stow).

*

The old church of St. John Zachary, Maiden Lane, near Goldsmiths' Hall, was destroyed in the great fire and not rebuilt. The parish is annexed to that of St. Anne. 3


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

i6 1452.

Sir

Humphrey Hay ford,

goldsmith, Comptroller to the

Mint and King's Assay Master, 1452-9, Mayor in 1477-8; son of Roger Hayford, of Stratford-le-Bow. He was buried in the church of

Edmond, Lombard Street. William Wodeward, goldsmith. Engraver 1455.

St.

to the Mint.

William Hede, goldsmith, being liveryman of the Gold1456. smiths' Company, and his wife, both made complaint to the wardens " of their apprentice, William Bowden, who irreverently, shamefully, " and of f rowwinesse had beaten his said mistress. His punishment, " ordered by the wardens, was that he should be had into the kechyn of the Hall and there stripped naked, and by the hand of his master beaten until such time as he raised blood upon his body, in likewise as he did upon his mistress, and that he should there be made to ask his master and mistress of grace and mercy, naked as he was betyn." Herbert's "History of the Goldsmiths' Company." 1458.

Edward Raivdon,

a goldsmith, circa 1458.

London, qui cbiit ultimo Buried in St. John Zachary's Church. 1 46 1. German Lynche, of London, goldsmith, Warden of the Mint, was elected Graver of the Puncheons for life (1460-83); Master and Warden of the King's Mint in his realm of Ireland, within his castle of Dybeln (Dublin), and he was authorised to strike money 1460.

John Adys,

civis et aurifaber,

die Februarii 1461.

for currency in Ireland,

and was

irons, gravers, etc., within the city

to make all manner of puncheons, of London, or elsewhere, as should

him seem most needful. Thomas Muschamp, goldsmith, was Sheriff in 1463, in 1463. the mayoralty of Sir Matthew Philip, and was buried in the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, Milk Street.

to

Sir Mat hew Philip, goldsmith. Mayor of London in 1463-4. 1463-4, made Knight of the Bath by Edward IV with other aldermen, for bravery on the battlefield, on the occasion of the routing of Falconbridge and the Kentish rebels in their attempt to force the He was warden of the Company in 1474, and subscribed city. 6s. 8d. towards St. Dunstan's feast, which altogether amounted to iS 5s- 2d. ''Item, my master bout of Thomas Cartelage, goldsmith, 1465. of Chepe, v chargers of sylver, xvj dysshes, and vij saussers, weyinge Ixix^* xix* vj*^, after iij* the unnce." (Expenses of Sir John

Howard.) "Item, the yeare aforesaid and the xxviij day of master bout of Umfrey the Goldsmythe, a chaffer of sylver weyinge xviij unces and a quarter, and my master payd hym therefor of old grotez i" and in new grotez ij^ vj* paid for every unnce iij^" (Expenses of Sir John Howard.) Oliver Davy, goldsmith, bequeathed to the Company, in 1474. trust, certain property, of the present estimated value of ;^36 8s. per 1465.

Marche,

my

annum, for poor pensioners. 1478. Mylys Adys, goldsmith, was warden of the Company in 1478, successor of John Adys before mentioned, who died in 1461.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

17

The ordinances or statutes of the Goldsmiths' Company 1478. contained in a MS. book, written on vellum with illuminated initial letters, commences thus :

"

Thys Boke was made and ordeynyd by

Hugh Br ice,

Altherman.

Henry Coote, Mylys Adys, and William Palmer, Wardens. "

The XX day of September,

MCCCCLXXVIIJ, and

Lorde God King Edward

in the yere of our

in the xviij yere of the

Reigne of

the Fourth. " Htmtfrey Hay ford, then Mayre of the Cyte of London, John Stokker and Henry Colett, Sheryffs of the same Cyte." "To Selys, goldesmyUhe, for Mlij (1,052) ageletts of 1480. silver and gilt, weying CClxxj (271) unces iij quarters, and for Civ (155) unces grete and small spanges of silver and gilt, cont' in all CCCCxxvj unc' and iij quarters, price of every unce vj^ = Cxxviij^* These were afterwards given out to Martyne Jumbard for emvj^. browdering and setting of them in the garnysshing of vj coursour barneys, and a hoby barneys of grene velvet." (Wardrobe Accounts

Edward IV.) Matthew Shore, goldsmith of Lombard Street, husband 1480. of the notorious Jane Shore. His shop was called the Grasshopper. Concerning his wife, we find in the Pepys collection an old blackof King

letter ballad, entitled, "The woful lamentation of Jane Shore,* a goldsmith's wife in London, sometime concubine of King Edward IV." " In the reprint of Heywood's Edward IV," by the Shakespeare

Society

(first part,

having raised a

pp. 16, 23, 58, Ed. Lond., 1842), Falconbridge marched on to London, encouraging his

rebellion,

forces to restore King Henry (who had lately been deposed) from the Tower. On arriving at the gates of London Bridge, entrance to the city is refused by the Lord Mayor and citizens, together with the city apprentices. Matthew Shore, the goldsmith, is also of the

party, and, having answered Falconbridge's appeal, is asked his " name, and Falconbridge replies, What not that Shore that hath the dainty wife the flower of London for her beauty ?" In the second act, at the Mayor's house, Jane Shore is represented as officiating as the Lady Mayoress, whereby the King first becomes acquainted with her. This cannot be a fact, as Shore never was Lord Mayor. Sir Edmund Shaa, or Shaw, son of John Shaa, of Dron1482. kenfeld, Chester, was a goldsmith and Engraver to the Mint in He was chosen Sheriff in 1474, and Lord Mayor, 1482-3, 1462. !

Warden Richard

of the

Company

in

1474.

At the coronation of King

which took place during his mayoralty, he attended as cup-bearer with great pomp, and his claim to this honour was formIII,

Jane Shore died, at an advanced age, in the reign

of

King Henry VIII.


1

HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

8

and put on record (Lib. 1., fol. 19, a and b, Town Clerk's Edmund Shaa was goldsmith to the King, and on office). December i, in the first year of his reign, sold him the following 28 pieces of plate, viz.: "4 pots of silver, parcel gilt, weighing 12 dishes, 11 and 6 Bowes, ounces; 5 35 pounds; pots 3 pounds saucers, silver, with gilt borders, weighing 44 pounds 11 ounces; 2 The 8 other chargers. chargers, 10 saucers, an ewer parcel gilt, and and weight of the said plate was 275 pounds 4 ounces of troy weight, came to ;^550 13s. 4d." Stow records that at his decease he appointed, by testament, his executors, with the cost of 400 marks, and the stuff of the old gate called Cripplegate, to build the same gate of new, which was performed and done in the year 1491. He founded and endowed a The will of free school at Stockport, in Cheshire, in the year 1487. ally allowed

This Sir

Sir

Edmund Shaw contains a He also directs

bequest to the Goldsmiths to support 16 rings of fine gold to be graven the well of mercie, and the well of everlasting

this school.

"

with the well of pitie, life," and to be given to his friends. Henry Cole, goldsmith, must have been a leading man 1483. in the trade, for at the coronation of Richard III he was elected by the Common Council, among the heads of the Livery Companies, to attend the Mayor to Westminster as cup-bearer at the coronation,

and they

all

1483. "

went

in great state.

The index

of the same volume commences thus:

Thys Kalendar was made and ordeynyd Henry Coote,

for this

Boke by

Stephyn Kelke, John Ernest, and Allan 'Newman, Wardens. "

The last day of August in the yere of our Lord God MCCCCLXXXiij, and in the ffurst yere of the Reygne of King Richard the thyrd."

Edmond Shaa, Knyght, then Mayre of the Cyte of LonWilliam Whyte and John Mathew, Sheryffys of the same

''Sir

don. Cyte."

Sir Hugh Bryce, son of Richard Bryce, of Dublin, gold1485. smith. Mayor in 1485, Sheriff, 1475, Governor of the Mint in the

Tower, and Keeper of the King's Exchange. The Goldsmiths' Company, like many others, had" a rich pall, or herse-cloth, which is thus The Wardens shewed the Company the alluded to in the minutes goodly and rich hersecloth which was made with the goods of Sir :

Elizabeth, his wife, and Dame Elizabeth Terrell. cloth should not be lent to any other person than a goldsmith, or a goldsmith's wife; that whenever it was used, the company assembled should pray for the said two donors' souls, as well as the soul of the said Dame Elizabeth Terrell, and that the beadle should have for his safeguard and attendance twelve pence at the least."

Hugh It

Bryce,

Dame

was agreed that the said


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

19

Robert Harding, goldsmith and Alderman, Sheriff in 1485. He gave, in money, \o to the new work of the ob. 1485. 1478, steeple of Bow Church, Cheapside, in which church he was buried.

Thomas Wood, Sheriff in this year, was an opulent goldbuilt Goldsmiths' Row, in Cheapside, where most of the " It containeth in number, ten goldsmiths resided. Stow states faire dwelling hou/es and fourteene /hops, all in one frame, uni1491.-

smith,

and

:

formly built f oure /tories high, beautified towards the /treete with the Goldsmiths' Arms, and the likenc//e of Woodmen, in memory of his name, riding on mon/trous bea/ts all ca/t in lead, richly painted and gilt; the/e he gave to the Goldsmiths, with /tockes of money, to bee lent to young men having the/e /hops," etc. Wood Street was named after him. /o/in Vandelf, or /o>kn of Delft, goldsmith. In the privy 1497. " To John Vandelf for a collar purse expenses of Henry VII (1497) " For garnyshing a salett of gold for the King xxx /z." Also :

:

xxxviij

li.

1500.

i

sh.

iiij

d!'

Christopher Eliot, goldsmith, died 1505, was buried in

the church of St. John Zachary. Sir Bartholomew Reade, 1 501-2.

goldsmith. Alderman and

He was Master of the Mint in 1481, 501-2, Sheriff, 1497. To have a house and 1492 1493. large and important enough to maintain the dignity of Lord Mayor, and befitting the splendour which he had determined should signalise his mayoralty, he purchased Crosby Place. It was here he received the ambassadors of Mayor,

1

Emperor Maximilian during their ttay, who had been sent to sympathise with Henry VII on the death of his Queen, Elizabeth of York, and his son. Prince Arthur, which events happened within a few months of each other; and it was at Crosby Hall he gave his grand inauguration dinner recorded by Stow, at which were present more than one hundred persons of great estate, in which hall was "a paled park furnished with fruitful trees, beasts of venery," etc. Bartholomew Reade was a great benefactor to the Goldsmiths' Company. He founded a grammar school at Cromer, in Norfolk. He was buried in the Charterhouse, and gave i^ioo to the church of St. John Zachary, where his wife was buried.

the

1508.

of

Wood

Sir

John Shaw, goldsmith. Warden to the Mint, 1492-7, Cheapside, Engraver to the Mint in 1483, was Mayor

Street,

in 1 05 1 -2, probably the son of Sir Edmond. In the privy purse expenses of Henry VII (1497) we find: "To Master Shaa for a George of Diamants iiij li. iiij sh." Also "To John Shaa for iij

Sir John Shaw was knighted on the field at Lord Mayor's feast in the present Guildhall was given by Sir John Shaw. He was the first Mayor who caused the Aldermen to accompany him on horseback to the water side, to

rings of gold

Bosworth.

viij li." first

The

take barge for Westminster. 1509. Henry Coste, goldsmith, one of the Sheriffs; deceased, 1509; buried in the church of St. Foster's, Foster Lane. He built St.

Dunstan's Chapel there.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

20

Pielro Torrigiano. In the centre of the apsis or east end 1509. of Henry VH's chapel, Westminster Abbey, is the tomb of the royal founder and his queen, Elizabeth of York. The effigies, which are undoubtedly likenesses, were originally crowned, they are recumbent on a pedestal adorned with pilasters, relievos of rose branches and images in copper gilt of the King's patron saints and preceding sovereigns at the angles were seated angels. It is enclosed by rich and massive gates of brass. This costly tomb was made by Torrigiano, a Florentine artist, and occupied his time for six years, for which he received the comparatively large sumi of i^ 1,500. Torrigiano, it will be remembered, was the fellow-student of Michael Angelo, who, in a quarrel, broke the nose of his great rival. He came to England purposely to erect this tomb, which Bacon calls " The brass screen, originthe stateliest and daintiest in Europe." less than statues (now reduced to adorned with no thirty-six ally six), is of brass, resembling a Gothic palace, was designed and made by an English artist (date 15 12). Torrigiano also executed the beautiful effigy of Margaret, Countess of Richmond, mother of Henry VII, in Westminster Abbey (date about 1509). 151 1. John Barrett, goldsmith, bequeathed about 5s. per annum, former value, to supply coals to the poor of the Goldsmiths' ;

'^

Company. 1 Robert Fenrhuther, or Fenr other. Alderman, Master of 5 12. the Mint with Bartholomew Reade in 1493, goldsmith, Sheriff in 1 He was Prime 5 12, was buried in the church of St. John Zachary. Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company in 15 16 and 15 17. He was Master of the Mint, ninth Henry VIII. 1 The four Wardens of the Company in this year were: 5 16.

Alderman Fenr other, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Wattell and Mr. Reed. 1517- -The four Wardens in this year were: Alderman Fenrot her, Mr. Lowth, Mr. Udall and Mr. Twyssilton. John Twistleton, goldsmith and Alderman, was buried in St. Matthew's Church, Friday

Street, 152c;.

Thomas Exmewe, Knight, goldsmith, Mayor in this year, Sheriff, 1508. He made the water conduit in London Wall, by Moor Gate. He was buried in the church of St. Mary Magdalen, 1

Milk

5 17-8.

Sir

Street, in 1528.

Robert Amades, goldsmith to Cardinal Wolsey, Keeper 5 18. of the Jewels to King Henry VIII, gives an account of his treasures with the weight and cost annexed, such as " An image of our lady, 300 ounces of sterling silver; six great candlesticks made at Bruges, with leopards' heads and cardinals' hats, chased and gilt, weighing 298 ounces; three chargeours,' 197 ounces; twenty-five plates, 96S ounces; twenty-two dishes, 451 ounces; a cup of 'corone' gold, 64 ounces." According to Cavendish, the Cardinal's biographer: "There was at great banquets a cupboard as long as the chamber was in breadth, with six deskes in height, garnyshed with guilt plate, and the nethermost deske was garnyshed all with gold plate, haying with lights one paire of candlesticks of silver and guilt, being curiously wrought, which cost 300 marks. This cupboard was 1

:

'


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

21

barred round about that no man might come nigh it, for there was none of this plate touched there was sufficient besides." Robert Amades was buried in the church of St. Mary Wolnoth. The four wardens of the Company in this year were 1 5 18. Sir Thomas Exmew, knight, Roger Mu7idy, Henry Calton, and Robert Oxendly. Their names are attached to a bill of expenses " " for a drynking and dinner on St. Dunstan's day amount, ;

28

9s. 6d. 1

5 19.

Ralph Latham, goldsmith. In the

will of

Rawf Lathom,

citizen and goldsmith, 15 19, is mentioned: "Duos pelves argenti cum lavat's in medio unius est una Rosa in alio scutum armor 'meor.'" C. P. C. Ayloffe. goldsmith of the same name, proHouseholders of the Goldis in the list of Freeman his son, bably

A

smiths'

Company

in 1553.

John Thurston, goldsmith and embroiderer, also and Alderman. Stow informs us that he erected, at his own cost, on the bank of the river Thames, extensive granaries for storing up corn for the consumption of the city in times of scarcity, also He gave ^^40 towards six very large and four smaller public ovens. Lane (now Gutter in Guthurons Imbroiderers' Hall, rebuilding Lane), and ii^ioo towards rebuilding St. Foster's Church, wherein he was buried in 15 19. At an assembly of the Company in 521, it is " recorded Forsomuch as Sir J. Thurston, Upper Warden, was departed to Almighty God (on whose soul have mercy), the felliship named and chose to be Copper Warden in his roome Sir Thos. Exmewe, Knt." Sir John Mundy, goldsmith, Mayor, 1522-3, was son 1522-3. of William Mundy, of Wycombe, Bucks. He was buried in the church of St. Peter in Cheape; ob. 1537. The name of Roger Mundy 1

5 19.

Sir

Sheriff

1

:

signed to a bill of expenses at of the Company in 1518.

(his son) is

Warden

St.

Dunstan's feast as

At St. Mary Overie, Southwark, between 1548 and 1550, 1526. they parted with four chalices, weighing fifty-four ounces, to one " Calton, at the sign of the Purse" in Chepe, of which the said Calton made two communion cups weighing but fifty-two ounces, the balance due being 17s. 8d. ("Surrey Church Notes," by J. R. D. Tyssen.)

Hans Holbein, artist, born at Augsburg, 1494, died in 1526. London in 1543. He was introduced by Erasmus to Sir Thomas More in 1526, when he came to England. He entered the service of Henry VIII in 1537, and remained in England until his death. He designed numerous pieces of goldsmith's work, cups, jewellery, etc., during this reign. A drawing by him, for a cup for Queen Jane Seymour, is in the print-room of the British Museum, as well as designs for jewels. Other drawings are preserved at Basle, etc. He was buried in St. Catherine Cree Church. Thomas Calton, goldsmith at the "Purse in Chepe." His 1530. name is signed to a bill of expenses as Warden of the Com.pany in At St. Mary Overie, Southwark, between 1548 and 1550, they 1526. parted with four chalices, weighing fifty-four ounces, to one Calton,


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

22

"

"

in Chepe, of which the said Calton made two communion cups weighing but fifty-two ounces, the balance due being 17s. 8d. ("Surrey Church Notes," by J. R. D. Tyssen.) 1 William Symson, goldsmith. In the records we find 53 1. that there were certain chains of a censor, weighing 6\ ounces, which were attached by him, brought to be set by one Richard Allen, which chains belonged to the Abbot of Reading, in Berkshire; Robert Trappes and JoJ'in Patterson being then wardens of the Company. ^At an assembly of the Goldsmiths' Company, "the fol1540. six lowing goldsmiths were appointed to ride to fetch the Queen Mr. Spendley, Mr. Aldewyn, Mr. Chaundeler, Mr. Draper, Mr. Mor-

at the sign of the

Purse

:

ton,

and Mr. Hatwoode"

to ride in black velvet coats with chains of

their necks, and velvet caps with broches of gold, their servants to ride with them in russet coats of good cloth."

gold about

and

Sir Martin Bowes, goldsmith. Sheriff, 1540, Mayor in 1540. 1545-6, Master of the Mint in 1542 and 1546, M.P. for London four times from 1546 to 1555. Lie was Mayor five times, and lent Henry VIII, whose purse was a cullender, the sum of ^^300. Sir Martin was butler at Queen Elizabeth's coronation, and left his gold fee cup, out of which the Queen drank to the Goldsmiths' Company.* His portrait, attributed to Holbein, hangs in the Hall. He presented a state sword to the Corporation of York, inscribed on the "

Syr Martyn Bowes, knight, borne within this citie of Yorke, and Maior of the citie of London 1545. For a remembrance gave this sword to the maior and communaltie of this honorable citie." Many of the coins of Henry VIII and Edward VI, struck while he was Master of the Mint, bear the Mint marks of a swan, rose, arrow, blade,

or a bow, coined at the

mint

in

Durham House,

Strand.

The bow

and the swan form part of his armorial bearings. The shield of Sir Martin Bowes has in chief a swan between two leopards' heads, and below three bows, the ground semee with ermine. Stowe, in of speaking of the illustrious personages buried in the old church " All Grey Friars, in Newgate Street, says, while naming many these and five times as many more monuments, seven score marble grave-stones, alabaster tombs, etc., were all sold for ^^50 by Sir Martin Bowes, goldsmith and alderman." Even the name of Grey Friars became extinct when Christ's Llospital was founded. He died August 4, 1566, and was buried in the church of St. Mary Wolnoth. Sir Martin Bowes founded almshouses at Woolwich, in Kent, by a bequest to the Goldsmiths' Company. :

1 Sir John Williams. He was styled the King's Gold541. smith and Master of the King's Jewels; he dwelt in Elsing Spital. "In 1 541, on Christmas even about 7 o'clock, a great fire began in

the gallery thereof, which burned so sore that the flame, firing the *

The elegant cup presented by him to fhe Company, and which is still preserved among their plate, could not be given him in right of his office, at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, as chief butler, because Sir William Hewett, citizen and clothworker, was T^ord Mayor that year, and had the cup in his own right. Probably the above cup was a royal gift upon another occasion.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

23

whole house and consuming it, was scene all the city over, whereby many of the King's jewels were burned and more imbeselled (as was said)."

(Stow.)

1545.

Lawrence Warren, goldsmith. Assay Master "

Mint

to the

Cambii, Cunagii et monete, Canterbury." He must have been accused of some malpractices in his office, having received a general pardon under the great seal for offences against the Mint " late Assay in the time of Henry VIII, in which he is styled in this year.

Master." Sir Williajii Sharrington, of Durham House, Master 1548-50. of the Mint, third, fourth, and fifth Edward VI, and Vice-Treasurer of the Mint at Bristol, was indicted before the Lord Mayor, and convicted on his own confession of having counterfeited, in the Mint at Bristol, 12,000 pounds of coins resembling the Testons, without any warrant from the King, and against his Royal prohibition also of having defrauded the King in clippings and shearing of the coins, making the same thereby too light, and converting the same to his own profit, to the amount of i^4,ooo at the least and for falsifying the indentures and books. He was attainted of treason, and This counterfeiting of the money was all his lands, etc., forfeited. supposed to have been done at the instigation of the King's uncle, the Protector, Sir Thomas Seymour, the Lord Admiral, to enable him to carry on his treacherous designs. Sharrington received a pardon under the great seal in third Edward VI, and was afterv/ards restored in blood by an Act passed third and fourth Edward VI. His house in Mark Lane, a stately mansion, was bestowed by the King on Henry, Earl of Arundel, who made it his residence. Sir Thomas Gresham, a merchant and goldsmith of 1550. great renown, son of Sir Richard Gresham, who was King's Exchanger in the reign of Heniy VIII. He carried on business at the sign of the Grasshopper, No. 68, Lombard Street, the site of Messrs. Martins' banking-house; the original sign was in existence so late as 1795, but disappeared on the erection of the present building. He founded the Royal Exchange, opened by Queen Elizabeth Janu;

;

ary 23, 1 571. He also founded Gresham College, which he endowed with six professorships with ^^50 a year to each. This great goldsmith died in 1579, and was buried in St. Helens' Church, BishopsThe bulk of his wealth was found to consist of gold chains. gate. Gresham was present at the first council held by Queen Elizabeth at Hatfield, and was received with marked favour; she promised him, if he did her none other service than he had done to King Edward,

and Queen Mary, her late sister, she would give him as much land as ever they both did. The characteristic reply was an exposition of his financial views " An it please your Majesty her late brother,

:

your realm into sych estate as heretofore it hath been first, Your Highness hath none other ways, but when time and opportunity serveth, to bring your base money into fine, of eleven ounces fine, and so gold after the rate; secondly, not to restore the steel yard to their usurped privilege thirdly, to grant as few licenses as you can; fourthly, to come in as small debt as you can beyond seas;

to restore this

;

;


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

24 fifthly, to

for

it is

sity."

credit, and specially with your own merchants, who must stand by you, at all events, in your necesworth noting how implicitly the advice appears to have

keep your

they

It is

been followed, with the exception of the matter of

licenses.

1550. Margery Her kins carried on the goldsmith's about this time. Her shop was in Lombard Street.

business

Robert Wygge, goldsmith, of London, in the reign of Elizabeth. The names of Wigge and Dickson are mentioned Queen in an inventory of St. George's Chapel, Windsor. 1550.

In the churchwarden's accounts of Wimbledon, Surrey, is recorded the following "Receivede for thre chalisses waying xxx** and v ounces, 1552. at v^ the ounce, whereof went to the Communyon Cuppe xxj ounces and a quartern, which cometh to v^' vj^ iij"^. And so remaineth xii) ounces and thre quarters, which commythe to iij^' viij* ix*^ whereof paide to Robert Wygge, goldesmythe of London, for the making and gilding of the Communyon Cuppe, after xx^ a.n ounce, which cometh to xxxv^ v^." ("Surrey Church Notes," by J. R. D. Tyssen.) The following occur in "A Register of Scholars at Merchant Taylors'," by Rev. C. J. Robinson, London, 1882 1550. Henry Nezvhall, goldsmith. His son educated at Merchant Taylors' in 1564. Robert Harrison, goldsmith. His son, Edward, was at 1550. Merchant Taylors' School in 1570. His son, Edward, at Merchant 1555. -John Hulson, goldsmith. Taylors' School in 1571. " 1 Robert, son of John Hilly ard, gold-finder," was at Mer560. chant Taylors' School in 1 572. William Carter, goldsmith, died about 1570. A son, 1560. Thomas, was a scholar at Merchant Taylors', 1573. Thomas Greene, goldsmith. His son, Anthony, was ad1560. mitted at Merchant Taylors' School in 1574. 1560. Roger Hynt, goldsmith. His son, Richard, admitted at Merchant Taylors' School, 1574. :

:

Edward Rankyn, goldsmith. His son, William, ad1560. mitted at Merchant Taylors' School in 1575. Simon Brooke, goldsmith. His son, Edward, admitted 1560. at Merchant Taylors' School, 1 1;76. Edward Delves, goldsmith. His sons, Robert and Ed1570ward, admitted at Merchant Taylors' School, 1599. 1600. John Hoare, goldsmith. His son, John, admitted at Merchant Taylors' School, 1607. 1600. John Lovejoy, goldsmith. His son, Rowland, admitted Merchant Taylors' School, 1609. 1600. William Keale, goldsmith. at Merchant Taylors' School, 161 1. 1600. Giles Simpson, goldsmith. at Merchant Taylors' School, 161 1. at

His son, Robert, admitted

His

son, Jeremy, admitted


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS. 1553.

Company, names

A

list

in the

25

of Freeman Householders of the Goldsmiths' Chapter House, contains the following fifty-two

:

Henry Averell Nicholas Aldewyn Robert Alleyn Martin Bowes, Alderman Nicholas Bull

Thomas Baven John Bolter John Bardolph Thomas Browne John Barons Thomas Calton John Chaundeler William Chambers Rasel Cornyshe Robert Draper John Dale John Frende John Freeman

Henry Goldeville Rogier Horton Thomas Hays Edmond Hatcombe Robert Hortopp Cornelis Hayes Nicholas Johnson William Keylway

Rafe Latham Walter Lambert Edmond Lee Robert Lawerd John Lewes William Lymson Rogier Mundye

Wyncent Mundye Nicholas Molde Anthony Neale

Lymond Palmer Rafe Rowlett

Thomas Rede Robert Spendeley

Thomas Sponer William. Southwood

Thomas Stevyns Robert Trappis

Thomas Trappis Silvester

Todd

Rogier Taylour William Tylsworth

Thomas Was tell Morgan Wolff Fabiant Wydder George Webbe

Some other goldsmiths are mentioned about this date Mr. Warke, Palterton, John Waberley, Thomas Metcalfe, John Daniel, Robert Reynes and Robert Wygge. William Walker, goldsmith, bequeathed to the Gold1557smiths' Company, for charities, the sum of i^ioo in money. Affabel Partridge was the principal goldsmith to Queen 1558Elizabeth, who ordered payments to be made as follow "To Robert Branden and Affabel Partridge, for 3,098 oz. of gilt plate, at 7s. 6d. the oz., which was given away in New Year's gifts, :

17s. 9fd.," etc. 1559. John Wheeler. smiths' Company that he

1,161

The

earliest date in

We find by the books of the Goldwas established in that craft in Chepe.

which his name occurs

is

in is 59 (second Eliza-

beth).

His son John removed to Fleet Street at the decease of his where he carried on his trade. He died about the year 1600, and was succeeded by his son, William Wheeler, who took the premises called the " Marygold," after they were vacated by Richard Crompton, who kept an ordinary there, in the reign of James I. W. Wheeler was Comptroller of the Mint in 1627 and 1639. father,


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

26

In the Goldsmiths' books, April 27, 1666, is the following " William Wheeler, the son of William Wheeler, goldsmith, entry deceased, upon the testimony of William Rawson and John Marryott, goldsmiths, was sworn and made free by patrimony on payment of the usual fees." William Wheeler, junior, Francis In 1676, Cliild's uncle and father-in-law, continued as goldsmith. the name of William Wheeler is no more seen; his two apprentices, Robert Blanchard and Francis Child, succeeded to the business in :

(Vide "Blanchard and Child.") T/iomas Muschamf, goldsmith, at the sign of the "Ring with the Rubye" in Lombard Street. He was one of Queen ElizaHis name occurs in the visitation of the Heralds beth's goldsmiths. partnership. 1560.

among others in the trade. A predecessor of the same name mentioned a century earlier as Goldsmith and Sheriff of London. In the Churchwardens' accounts of Chelmsford, in 1560: " Receyved of Mr. Mustchampe, goldsmyth, at the syne of the

in 1568 is

Ryng

with the rube in

paten gylt, waying

Lumbarde

xxiij oz.

and a

Street, for a gylt challys with a quarter, at v^ iiij'^ the ounce, Som.

is vj^' iiij*."

"

Paid to Mr. Muschamp in Lombard Street, at the sygne of the with the rube for a coupe of gylt, weyinge xix oz. iij quarters, Ring vj^ viij"^ the oz., Som. is vj^' xj^ vii'^." ("Old English Plate," by

W.

J.

Cripps.)

Mr. Anthony Dericke, of the "Queen's Arms," in was one of the Queen's goldsmiths in the early part of Cheapside, her reign. He was also Engraver to the Mint in the reign of Edward VI and Elizabeth, and the last goldsmith appointed to that important office. He was a promoter of lotteries. The first of which we have any record was drawn before the western door of 1560-80.

St. Paul's

Cathedral in 1569.

lings each

lot,

It included 10,000 lots, at ten shilthe prizes consisting of plate. It lasted from January 1 1 till May 6. The profits of this lottery were applied in repairing the havens of England. In 1586 there was another lottery, the prizes consisting of rich and beautiful armour.

i^6^.~fohn Burde, or Bird, goldsmith. Among the Inquest St. Giles, Cripplegate Without, is an interesting drinking vessel, called a Mazer bowl, the cup being of maple-wood mounted with a broad silver-gilt rim and foot, round the stem is a finelychased scroll ornament, above which is inscribed " IHON BURDE Mead This In Anno Domine 1568"; on the spread of the foot are engraved an eagle and other birds, stag, unicorn, etc., with his monoPlate of

gram

I.

B.,

repeated.

a true-lovers' knot between, enclosed in a lozenge, twice Inside is a gilt metal boss with a merchant's mark.

Thomas

Turpin, goldsmith in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Leverton Churchwardens' accounts of 1570 is paid to "Thomas Turpyn, the goldsmith, for facyonenge of the Communyon Cupp, weynge xij oz., x. Item, He putt to the same cuppe a quarter and a halfe of an oz. of his own silver, ii." (W. J. Cripps.)

In the


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

27

In 1570 several ornaments were stolen from the monument of King Henry VII, among which were some of the gilt images here spoken of. The thief, one Raymond, was prosecuted by the Church. Torrigiano must have resided many years in this country, and designed and executed other monumental tombs and effigies. In the dingy Chapel of the Rolls, Chancery Lane, is the tomb of Dr. Young, Master of the Rolls in the time of Henry VIII. The aged master reposes, in the sublime serenity of death, upon a marble sar-

cophagus, shaped like a Florentine cassons or marriage chest. In the panel of the pedestal beneath the inscription is the date MDXVI. The whole is the work of the immortal Torrigiano. He also designed candelabra and other decorative objects belonging tO' the goldsmith's craft, for

Henry VIII and

the nobility.

ancient altar of the restored tomb of Edward VI, Westminster Abbey, a splendid work of Torrigiano, was destroyed in the civil wars; but part of the frieze was found in 1869 in the young King's grave, and has been let into the modern altar. It is an admirable carving of the Renaissance, and shows the Tudor roses and the lilies of France interwoven with a scroll-work pattern.

The

Robert Taylebois was a goldsmith in the reign of Elizaof his sons, Ralph and Thomas, were scholars at Merchant Taylors' School in 1 563 the former became prebendary of 1570.

beth.

Two

;

Canterbury. 'Nicholas Hillyard, born at Exeter, 1547, died, 1619, 1570. brought up as a goldsmith and jeweller, also a celebrated miniature He was "goldsmith, carver, and portrait painter" to Queen painter. Elizabeth, and continued in favour by James I and appointed sole " Round his portrait, painted by himpainter of the Royal image." " Nic^ liillyard, aurif aber, sculptor, et Celebris illumself, is written, inator serenissimae Elisabethas." (In the collection of Lord De L'Isle and Dudley.) 1 571. John Lonyson, goldsmith, was Master of the Mint, 1 He died in 1583, aetat fifty-nine, and was buried in the 57 1 -6. church of St. Vedast, alias St. Foster, in Foster Lane. Richard Robmson was celebrated for his misdeeds. He 1577.

was

in this year, according to Holinshed, drawn from the Tower to Tyborne, and there hanged for clipping of gold coins. ^'zV 1577John Langley, goldsmith, was Mayor in this year,

1576-7, Sheriff in 1566.

Alderman Heydon bequeathed to the Goldsmiths' Com1579pany the sum of ;"ioo for the poor. 1583. John Speilman, goldsmith, afterwards knighted by James I, erected a paper-mill at Dartford. In the State records of the year 1597: "July 4. Grant to John Speilman, Queen's goldsmith, for fourteen years, on surrender of a former patent, of the sole license of collecting old rags and stuff for paper-making"; prohibiting any others to erect paper-mills without his license. His first patent was taken out in 1583.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

28

Mas1588-9 and 1593. Sir Richard Martin, knight, goldsmith, and Warden of the Mint from 1580 to his death in 161 7, Sheriff in 1 58 1, was Lord Mayor in 1589, and kept his mayoralty in one of the houses in Goldsmiths' Row, Cheapside. Sir Richard and his son, Richard Martin, citizen and goldsmith, held the appointment of Master of the Mint, together and singly, from 1580 to 1604. ter

Richard died in 1617. 1588. John Morley, goldsmith, bequeathed the poor per the Company of Goldsmiths. Robert Trapps, or Tripps, goldsmith. 1589. in St. Leonards', St. Martins le Grand. Sir

^

per

annum

He was

to

buried

Isaac Sutton, goldsmith, obiit May 2, 1589; he was 1589. buried in the church of St. Andrew, Undershaft. 1594. Hugh Kayle was in partnership with Sir Richard Martin, and several grants for payment of money for jewels and plate, for New Year's gifts and presents to ambassadors, are recorded to them. In 1594, 2,-i,6s los. 8d.; 159;, ;^2,236 14s. lod.; 1599, 2,^77 i8s. 3d. 1597. John Fox, citizen and goldsmith of London. He was founder of the Free School of Deane, co. Cumberland. He gave will, eighteenpence weekly for ever Goldsmiths' Hall also money to poor " The said John Fox, being of pitals. the 8th day of June 1597." He was

by

;

Lawrence 1599.

pany

the

1600.

to an almsman belonging to prisoners and to several hosthe age of 78, fell on sleepe buried in the church of St.

in the Jewry.

Peter Blundell, goldsmith, left by legacy to the Com;^I50 for the poor. Sir Hugh Myddelton was a goldsmith by trade and had

sum of

much frequented by

Sir Walter Raleigh During the mayoralty of his brother, Sir Thomas Myddelton, he completed the supply of wholesome water by means of the New River. His portrait, by Janssen, hangs

a shop in Basinghall Street, and other scientific people.

in Goldsmiths' Hall.

Hugh Myddelton was

of

Welsh parentage,

the sixth son of

Richard Myddelton, who had been Governor of Denbigh Castle during the reigns of Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth. He was born on his father's estate at Galch Hill, close to Denbigh, in the year He was sent to London when old enough, where his elder 1555. brother, Thomas, was established as a grocer, and under his care he commenced his career, and was entered as an apprentice of the Goldsmiths' Company, and subsequently became a goldsmith and On the accession jeweller on his own account in Basinghall Street. of James I he was appointed one of the Royal Jewellers. Water was first let into the New River head at Islington in 16 13, on which occasion Myddelton was knighted. King James I afterwards created him a baronet and remitted the fee, which amounted to upwards of 1,000, a large sum at that time. Sir Hugh Myddelton died an eminently prosperous man at the age of seventy-six, leaving an ample provision for his widow, and


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

29

numerous bequests to his relatives and friends, and gifts to the pool. The story of his dying in poverty is only one of the numerous fables which have been related of his history (Smiles). He died in 163 1, and was buried in the churchyard of St. Matthew, Friday Street. The Welsh silver mines in Cardiganshire were discovered, in the reign of James I, by Sir Hugh Myddelton, which have ever since been worked with success. Sir Hugh bequeathed to the Goldsmiths' Company, in trust for the poor, a share in the New River Company, which they modestly valued to the Commissioners at about ;^200 per annum on an

average. 1600. George Heriot, jeweller to King James VI of Scotland, and subsequently to James I of England. He was born June, 1563, eldest son of George Heriot, goldsmith, of Edinburgh; the elder Heriot died in 1610. The goldsmiths of Edinburgh were formerly classed with the "hammermen," or common smiths. They were separated by an Act of the Town Council on August 29, 1581, which conferred on the goldsmiths a monopoly of their trade, confirmed by a charter of incorporation from James VI in 586, investing the goldsmiths with the power of searching, inspecting, and trying all jewels set in gold, as well as plate, in every part of the kingdom, and power to punish aggressors by imprisonment or fine, and to seize the working tools of all unfrec goldsmiths within the city. George Heriot was evidently instrumental in obtaining the charter of incorporation in 1586, as well as the Act in favour of the Goldsmiths' Company in 1591, irom which we quote the preamble: "The samin day the Provost, baillies, and counsell, and A dame Newtoune, haxter; Cudbert Cranstoun, furrour\ William Blythman, flescheour; Thomas Weir, niasoun; Robert Meid, wohster\ William i

Cowts, walker-, Thomas Brown, bonetmaker, of the remanent deykins of crafts being convenit in counsall anent the supplicatioun gevin in before thame be George Heriott, deykin of the goldsmythis, for himselff and in name and on behalff of the remanent brether of the said craft." Heriot became a member of the Goldsmiths' Company, and in 1597 he was employed by the Court; and Anne of Denmark, the reigning Queen, made him her goldsmith, and he was so declared "at the crosse, be opin proclamatione and sound of trumpet." Shortly afterwards he was appointed goldsmith to the King. He soon rose to opulence, and on the accession of James to the throne of England he followed the Court to London. He died on February 12, 1624, aetatis sixty, and was buried Seal of George Heriot. at St. Martin's in the Fields. He obtained . In Heriot s Hospital. , i r t r eminence and wealth, and left upwards or ("Laing'8 Ancient Seals."/ .

50,000.

,

i


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

30

Dame Mary Ramsay

1600.

Company

the

sum of

bequeathed to the Goldsmiths'

;"200 for the poor.

1602. -Richard Rogers, Comptroller of His Majesty's Mint in " 1602, presented a circular salt and cover, inscribed To the Wardens

and Commonaltie of y mystery of Goldsmiths of London, desiring the same to be used at their solemn meetings and to bee remembered as a good benefactor, A.D. 1632." Sir James P ember ton, goldsmith. Sheriff, 1602, Mayor in 1603. The Goldsmiths' pageant in this year was entitled " Chrysot6i 1-2. thriambos, or the Triumph of Gold," devised and written by A. M. (Anthony Munday). He died September 8, 161 3, aet. sixty-eight, and was buried in the church of St. John Zachary. 1603. Philip Shelley, goldsmith of London, left by his will forty shillings a year for ever for the poor of his parish of St. John Zachary, where he was buried, to be paid by the Warden and Rentour of the Goldsmiths' Company, as appears by his will dated September, 1603, "though his monument was erected but in 1630." He also bequeathed to the Goldsmiths' Company, in trust, moneys for placing out apprentices, university exhibitions to scholars, \o '^ per annum to maimed soldiers, yearly to working goldetc.

smiths,

Maximilian Poiiltraine and John de Critz erected the monument of Queen Elizabeth, in Westminster Abbey, in 1603. Wase (Christopher), goldsmith. He was buried in St. 1605. 1603.

noble

Vedast, alias Fosters', obiit September 22,

1605, aetatis sixty-six

years.

John Reynolds was Assay-master to the Mint in this calculated tables to cast up silver and gold. It does not but they are printed at the end appear when they were published, " of the second edition of the New Touchstone for Gold and Silver 1609.

He

year.

Wares," London, 1679. Caius New7nan, goldsmith, gave to Christ's Hospital St. ^ Bartholomew's Hospital, 6 13s. 4d. and to Bridewell Hospital, ^ and the sum of ^^140 to the Goldsmiths' Company for their poor brethren. He died March 3, 161 3, and was buried in St. Matthew's Church, Friday Street, aetat. sixty-six, leaving seven sons and five ;

;

;

daughters.

Robert Shirley, the Elder, presented a silver cup and weighing 93 1 ozs., to the Company in this year, which was melted down in 1667 to meet the requirements of ready money to repair the Hall after the Great Fire. 161 5. Robert Brocklesbury, goldsmith, bequeathed to the Gold161

2.

cover,

smiths'

Company

the

sum of

"^^0 for

the poor.

George Smithes, or Smithies, goldsmith and Alderman, was buried at St. Mary Staining Church; ob. July 11, 1615. His son, Thomas Smithies, was chosen one of the Pyx Jurymen in 1649. He was Sheriff in the mayoralty of Sir James Pemberton, 1601. 1 62 1. Richard Croshaw, goldsmith, "sometime Master of the Goldsmiths' Company. By his will he left i^4,ooo to the Company 161

5.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS. in trust for the

pious uses."

Exchange,

maintenance of

Obiit.

June

2,

31

lectures, relief of the poor,

1621,

and was buried

at St.

and other

Bartholomew

aetatis seventy.

Henry Banister, goldsmith, bequeathed to the Company for the use of the poor, in money, i,"i6o. Richard Cheney, goldsmith, bequeathed \ annually to 1625. 1622.

four poor goldsmiths. Tho7nas Violet carried on the business of goldsmith in London. The practice, so ruinous to the coinage, of culling out the more weighty coins for the purpose of reducing them to bullion, was about this time (1627) carried to an alarming extent, so as not only to produce a scarcity of money, but also to render that which remained too feeble, and to raise the price of silver above that allowed by the mints. To check these abuses, the King issued a proclamation in this year that all persons were forbidden to exchange or buy any bullion in any part of His Majesty's dominions, or should give or receive for the exchanging of any current coins more than the said coins should be current for, and that no coin should be exported, and no goldsmith melt any current coins, or give more than the price allowed at the mint, under heavy penalties. In 1637, Violet was instrumental, with others, in melting down the heaviest coins of the King into bullion, and giving a higher price than was allowed by the mints for gold and silver, and exporting the same, for which complicity he was informed against in the Star Chamber, and imprisoned for above twenty weeks for refusing to answer interrogatories, but was pardoned on condition of discovering his accomplices and paying a fine of iJ"2,ooo in gold. The others were Henry Futter, Henry Sweeting, Peter Hern, John Terry, Arnold Brames, Isaac Gold, Timothy Eman, Randall Crew, Francis Brogden, Luke Lee, John Perryn. They were sentenced to be committed to the Fleet. Hern, Terry and Eman were fined ;^2,ooo each, Brames ;^i,ooo, Futter and Sweeting ^^500 each, and Perryn ;^ioo; the others were discharged. They were, doubtless, all goldsmiths in a considerable way of business. Futter, Perryn and Terry have been herein noticed. Perryn was one of the Jury in 1649 to make trial pieces for the

Commonwealth.

Violet boasts in one of his publications "A true Discovery how the Commons of England had been cheated of almost all the Gold and Silver Coin of this Nation," London, 1653 that the persons who were accused and convicted in the Star Chamber, were informed against by him. He afterwards wrote also "An Appeal to Caesar," endeavouring to inculpate the goldsmiths of Lombard Street, "who lay up gold and silver for the merchants to transport, some goldsmilths keeping great merchants of London's qashes and some noblemen's cash. By this credit of several men's moneys the goldsmiths in Lombard Street are in the nature of bankers, and have a great stock of treasure by them always of gold, foreign coins, and silver. The goldsmith is your merchants' jackall, as the jackall is to the lion, they hunt for the lion's prey," etc.

4


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

32

His son, Joseph, in the parish of St. Leonard's, Foster Lane, entered Merchant Robinson, "Register of J. (Rev. C Taylors' School, 1632. William Jackson, goldsmith, deceased 1644.

born

Scholars.")

Edward Edmunds, goldsmith, in Allhallows parish. His sonj James, a scholar at Merchant Taylors' in 1643. (Ibid.) John Mackarnes, goldsmith. FIis son, John, at Merchant Taylors' School in 1643. (Ibid.) Richard Marsh, goldsmith. His sons, William and James, were at Merchant Taylors' School in 1643. (Ibid.) Tho7nas Leadham, goldsmith, Master or Prime Warden 1630. of the Goldsmiths' Company in 1630. He bequeathed for their use a silver cup and cover, which was melted with some other pieces of plate to raise money for the repair of the Hall after the Great Fire in 1667.

Sir William Ward was a wealthy goldsmith in London to the Queen of Charles I. Having an ample fortune, he resided at Heal in Staffordshire. He was sixth son of Edward 1630.

and jeweller

Ward, of Bixley, in Norfolk. He married the daughter of Mr. Humble, leather-seller a great benefactor to that Company. Mr. Humble's

sister,

Honor, married Sir Thomas Viner,

goldsmith,

and created Baronet with Sir William Humble on Mr. Ward's son and heir. Humble Ward, the Restoration in 1660. married the daughter and heiress of Lord Dudley, who became Baroness Dudley. Humble Ward was knighted, and on March 23, 1644, was elevated to the peerage as Baron Ward of Birmingham. Edward, the second Baron Ward, at the demise of his mother succeeded to the Barony of Dudley in 1701, and became Lord Dudley and Ward. The viscounty and earldom was created on February

Mayor

13,

in 1653,

i860.

John Acton, goldsmith to Charles L "On July 13 in this 1630. John Acton, His year the King issued his sign manual to pay medals of gold, for chains and gilt plate, Majesty's goldsmith, Si777 15s. Qd. given away in New Year's gifts, and at christenings and to ambassadors; and also to pay \g 7s. 6d. to His Majesty's cutler and the almsmen, beadles of Goldsmiths' Hall, as has been accustomed." From Harl. MS. 1 566 it appears that Thomas Acton, of Elmley Lovett (a cadet of an ancient Worcestershire family) had issue three sons, Charles, Anthony and John, who was a goldsmith in London " {vide also Grazebrook's Heraldry of Worcestershire," sub voce). third son of John Acton, goldsmith, was admitted William Acton, a scholar at Merchant Taylors' in 1658; he was born at Bewdley in 1645. 1632.

William Feake, goldsmith. His daughter, Sarah, married a certain William Smith, who died in 1632 and was buried in St. Saviours', Southwark, aet. sixty-eight. Simon Gibbon, goldsmith, presented to the same Com1632. pany a handsome salt-cellar, which fortunately escaped the fate of many others, and is still preserved. Given in 1632.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

33

John Pargit er was a goldsmith in Fleet Street, next door 1636. but one to Sergeants' Inn Gate. He filled many parish offices in In his "Diary" Pepys gives this estimate St, Dunstan's in 1636. " I took up in the coach Mr. Pargiter, the goldsmith, who is of him the man of the world I do most know and believe to be a cheating His premises were destroyed in the Great Fire, and not rogue." One of his sons opened a shop in rebuilt until three years after. St. Clement's parish, where he was buried in 1688. 1637-56. John Perryn, goldsmith, who resided at East Acton, founded almshouses at Acton by a bequest to the Goldsmiths' Company dated 1656. He was also appointed one of the Jury of Goldsmiths by the Commonwealth, in 1649, to superintend the making of standard trial pieces for the coinage. In 1637 he was imprisoned and fined with others, on the information of Thomas Violet, :

for melting the heaviest coins into ingots into foreign countries.

and exporting the same

"

George Snell, of the Fox," in Lombard Street, goldsmith, lost ;^ 1 0,800 by the closing of the Exchequer in 1672. He was chosen one of the jury to superintend the making of the standard trial pieces for the Commonwealth in 1649. In 1677 he is mentioned in the Little London Directory as a banker or keeper of running cashes at the same house. Four sons of George Snell were William in 1638 and George in 1643. at Merchant Taylors' School The latter died young, s.p., according to Burke ("Landed Gentry"), and William died in 1705. Robert, third son, born at Allhallow's, Lombard Street, in 1642, Merchant Taylors' School, 1650, died 1666. John, fourth son, born 1651, Merchant Taylors' School, 1660, succeeded his father in the business. (C. J. Robinson, o-p. cit.). 1640.

1640.

Sir

Thomas

Viner,

goldsmith.

Sheriff

in

1648,

Lord

Mayor, 1653-4. He was chosen one of the jury to superintend the making of gold and silver trial pieces for the Commonwealth in He was knighted by Cromwell during his mayoralty, and 1649. created baronet by Charles II in 1660. Having been chosen Mayor during the usurpation, he was, with other Aldermen, displaced at the Restoration, and the former Aldermen were reappointed who had been set aside. He married Honor, the daughter of George Humble, Esq., ancestor of Lord Dudley and Ward (the present Earl Dudley). He died May 11, 1665, ^^^^d was buried in St. Mary WolHe bequeathed ;"200 noth's, opposite his shop in Lombard Street. for the poor brethren of the Goldsmiths' Company. His son. Sir Robert, erected a monument to his memory in 1672; also another in the same church to his brother, Thomas Vyner, Esq., Clerk of the Patents, who died in 1667, thus recorded: "Thomas Vyner, Esq., son of Sir Thomas Vyner by his second wife, Honour, daughter of George Humble, Esq., of this parish." An ancestor.

monument

Sir

William Viner,

grocer,

was Mayor

in 1389.

Mr. Wakefield, goldsmith, is alluded to in the will of Rowland Backhouse, formerly Sheriff, dated 1647, in which he leaves his chain of office to his daughter, Doddinge, weighing about thirty ounces, set with a diamond, bought of Mr Wakefield, the goldsmith. 1640.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

34

Robert Paine, goldsmith, gave to the Company the sum the poor. for yiO Ralfh Robinson, goldsmith, also gave in money ^^'200 for 1640. the poor of the Company. i(i^o.

of

Extracts from a Register of Scholars at Merchant Taylors'. (By the Rev.

Henry

F utter,

goldsmitli.

C.

J.

Robinson.)

His son, Henry, born

St.

Mary Wol-

noth, 1640, entered 1650. 'William Johnson, goldsmith. His only son, William, born at St. Sepulchre's, 1639, entered 1652.

His only Michell, goldsmith. Andrew's Wardrobe, entered 1652.. Tobias Coleman, goldsmith. His eldest

Edward

son, James,

born 1640,

in St.

son, Tobias, born 1643, Leonard's, Foster Lane, entered 1653. John Peak, goldsmith. His fourth son, Richard, born 1640, St. Mary Wolnoth, entered 1653. Gabriel Marriott, goldsmith. His eldest son, Simeon, born 1645, St. Dionis Backchurch, entered 1655. St.

William Hough, goldsmith. His two sons, Thomas and John, born 1645 and 1647, All Hallows', Lombard Street, entered 1655. Edward South, goldsmith. His fourth son, Edward, born 1644, St.

John Zachary, entered 1655. Henry Whittingham, goldsmith.

1644, St. Olaves', Silver Street,

His only son, Henry, born entered 1656. His eldest son, John, born 1649, St.

George Bullen, goldsmith. Leonard's, Foster Lane, entered 1657. Hugh Lewis, goldsmith. His eldest son, Charles, born 1643, St. Botolph, Aldersgate Street, entered 1657. Henry Baggs, goldsmith. His second son, Francis, born 165 1, St. Martin's, Vintry, entered 1658. His son, William, born 1647, St. Williajn Wayne, goldsmith. Catherine Cree Church, entered 1658 His second son, George, born William Sankey, goldsmith. 1647, St. Mary Wolnoth, entered 1659.

Thomas Bonny,

goldsmith. His second son, Thomas, born entered 1659. 1647, Edward Abel, goldsmith. His third son, Samuel, born 1650, St. Peter's, Cornhill, entered 1660.

W

Sir John ollaston. Knight, Alderman, Sheriff, 1638, 1644. Sir Robert Harley, Master of the Mint for many 1644. Mayor, years, having refused to stamp any of the proposed coins for the

Commonwealth, except with the King's head as formerly, he was dismissed from that office. On the subject being referred to the Council of State, the members strongly recommended Sir John Wollaston as a fit and proper person for Master Worker of the Mint for 1648-9, but notwithstanding this repeated recommendation, the


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

3$

House appointed Aaron Guerdain, Doctor o Physic, as Master of Sir John Wollaston was selected as the Mint in Harley's place. foreman of the jury to superintend the making of gold and silver trial pieces for the Commonwealth. By his will he bequeathed to in trust, property, as valued by the Comthe Goldsmiths' Company, Bethlehem Hospital and other charito annum missioners, 2^ per ties, amounting to ;^I40 per annum. Robert Jenner, goldsmith, bequeathed to the Company 1648. trust to poor goldsmiths, of the estimated value of i^200 in property per annum.

Richard Morrdl, goldsmith. His name occurs as one of 1649. the Jury of Goldsmiths elected by the Commonwealth in 1649 to and silver superintend the making of standar,d trial pieces of gold Comto the Goldsmiths' a silver He for the coins. cup presented to a of sum dated his and money will, bequeathed 1703, by pany, found almshouses at Hackney, besides an annuity of fifty-two shillings for the poor.

by

The Jury of Goldsmiths elected and sworn make two standard trial pieces for the in gold commixed in proportion of 22 carats of carats of alloy in the pound weight troy of Eng-

November 22. Commonwealth

1649,

the

coins, one piece fine gold and 2

to

land, and one piece of silver of ii oz. 2 dwts. fine and 18 dwts. of copper in the pound weight troy, were the following :

Sir

John Wollaston, Knight and Alderman. Viner, Alderman. Noel, Alderman,

Thomas Thomas

Francis Ash.

Thomas

Smithie.

Francis Hall.

George Courthofe. John Perryn. Richard Morrell. Samuel Moore. George Snell. Richard Gibbes. Matthew Mason. Alexander Jackson.

Alderman Edward Backwell was a goldsmith, and one 1650. of the largest bankers in the early part of the reign of Charles I. He carried on his trade at the " Unicorn " in Lombard Street, between the "Grasshopper" and the "White Horse," about sixty-eight or He is frequently mentioned sixty-nine of the present numbering. by Pepys in his "Diary." December 24j 1660: "1 went to choose a payre of Candlesticks, to be made ready for me at Alderman Backwell's." He made a large fortune; but in the reign of Charles II " when, as Granger says, the laws were overborne by perfidy, violence and rapacity," he lost, on the closing of the Exchequer in 1672, as


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

36

much

as ^^295,994.

After his bankruptcy in 1672 he retired to Hol-

land, and died in 1679. Henry Pinckney, goldsmith, 16^0. "

at the sign of the

"Three

in Fleet Street, over against St. Dunstan's Church, was Squirrels established about this time. Boyne quotes a farthing token issued by him at the "Three Squirrels"" in 1650. In 1666 his house was burned down. Mr. Noble, in his Memorials of Temple Bar," states that the terms of rebuilding were settled by the Commissioners in

April, 1667, and in marking out it appears that Major Pinckney's consisted of four houses leading, on the south frontage, property " " In Pepys's to the Temple Garden." Diary," under date December I, 1660, we read: "Mr. Shepley and I went into London, and, and calling on Mr. Pinckney, the goldsmith, he took us to the tavern, gave us a pint of wine." This business was carried on by Chambers and Usborne in 1693, and towards the end of the eighteenth century it was taken by Messrs. Gosling.

Francis Ash, goldsmith, bequeathed property to the 1652. for the poor; value, ;6^ioo per annum.

Com-

pany

Sir George Viner, son of Sir Thomas, was born in the 1658. parish of St. Mary Wolnoth in 1638, admitted as scholar in Merchant Taylors' School in 1644, "of St. John's College, Cambridge, B.A.,

and goldsmith of London, banker to King Charles II. Knighted and succeeded his father, Sir Thomas, in the baronetcy in

citizen

1665.

He

died in 1673."

(Burke's "Extinct Baronetage.")

Alderman Francis Meynell was a goldsmith and banker, 1660. He is mentioned by Pepys in his "Diary," date Sheriff in 1662. September 18, 1662: "At noon Sir George Carteret, Mr. Coventry and I, by invitation to dinner to Sheriff Meynell's, the great money man. He and Alderman Backwell, and much more noble and brave company, with the privilege of their rare discourse, which is great content to me, above all other things in the world." And again, on January 19, 1662-3: "Singled out Mr. Coventry into the matted gallery, and there I told him the complaints I meet every day about our Treasurer's, or his people's, paying no money but at the goldsmiths' shops, where they are forced to pay 15 or sometimes 20 per cent, for their money, which is a most horrid shame, and that which must not be suffered. Nor is it likely that the Treasurer, at least his people, will suffer Maynell, the goldsmith, to go away with ;^ 1 0,000 per annum, as he do now get, by making people pay after this manner for their money."

Sir Jeremiah Snow was a goldsmith and banker in LomHe was a considerable loser by the closing of the Exchequer by Charles II in 1672, having iJ"6o,ooo deposited there. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, which he entered in His two brothers entered the same school Edward in 1639 1641. 1660.

bard

Street.

and Nathaniel

in 1641.

"Sir Jeremiah was knighted in 1678, and

created a baronet in 1679. He died in 1702." (Le Neve.) name does not appear the "Little London Directory" of

m

As

his

1677, he


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS. had probably " Snow,

at the

retired previously, and was succeeded " in the Strand.

37

by Thomas

Golden Anchor

1660. Humphrey Stocks, or Stokes, Pepys's "own little goldsmith," lived first in Paternoster Row; in 1677 he removed to the "Black Horse," in Lombard Street. In 1740, John Bland and Son were established there, the predecessors of Messrs. Barnett, Hoare

and Co. Daniel Bellingham, goldsmith. His name occurs as Sir Thomas Vyner and Robert Vyner in the establishwith patentee ment of a mint for coining silver in Dublin in 1662. An office with all the usual appointments were prepared. patent was granted for twenty-one years to coin small silver moneys; but the undertaking was dropped, the terms not being sufficiently remunerative 1662.

A

to the projectors. Charles Everard, goldsmith, lived at the "Star," near 1662. Exchange Alley, in Lombard Street, in 1662, afterwards occupied

by Joseph Hornby. by John Wassen, and subsequently " William Pinckney, of the Green Dragon," Inner Temple Gate, The "Green Dragon" was next door to is spoken of about 1663. " " the Three Squirrels in Fleet Street, and both became the property of the Pinckney s. Being destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, they " " were rebuilt as one house, and the sign of the Squirrels adopted. in the the of losers 1672, the closing Exchequer Being great by Pinckneys, like many other sufferers, were probably compelled to relinquish their business. Sir James Drax gave to the Goldsmiths' Company a 1663. donation of ;^ioo for the poor. John Hinde, goldsmith. In this year ('1663) his name 1663. in Alderman Backwell's ledgers as having an account with appears him. In 1677 the "Little London Directory" shows that John Hinde and Thomas Garwood kept running cashes over against the Exchange in Cornhill. 1664. Ajithony Walter, goldsmith, gave to the Company i^ioo for the poor, 1665. John Colvill, of Lombard Street, noticed by Pepys, June "After dinner to my little new goldsmith's, whose wife, 1665 indeed, is one of the prettiest, modest black women that I ever saw. I paid for a dozen of silver salts, 6 14s. 6d." Colvill had no less than ;^8 5,000 in the Exchequer when Charles II closed it. 1666. 5 2> Robert Viner, of Lombard Street, was a celebrated goldsmith; Sheriff in 1666, Mayor, 1675. He made the Crown jewels for Charles IPs coronation at a cost of upwards of ^^30,000, and entertained His Majesty at Guildhall during his mayoralty in 1675. 29,

:

"

1st February, 1666. Thence to Sir Robert Viner's, leaving clear in his hands ;^"2,ooo of my owne money, to call for when I pleased." short time after, Pepys adds that he went to

Pepys says:

A

Lombard

it away, being much surprised to find for the use of it for a quarter of a year. When the Exchequer closed in 1672, Viner had in it no less than 416,224. This, however, does not appear to have ruined him or shaken his

Street

he received

^^"35

and brought


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

38

he was elected Mayor a few years after. Evelyn, in his "Diary," June 19, 1679, says "I dined at Sir Robert Clayton's with Sir Robert Viner, the great banquet." credit, as

:

"

Sir Robert Viner erected at his own charge at Stocks Market Conduit, upon a pedestal eighteen feet high, an equestrian statue of Charles II trampling on an enemy with his horse's feet. On the

pedestal was his coat of arms within a compartment of fishes." The great civil war, though it ruined thousands, was nevertheViner was less the cause of many large fortunes being acquired. one of these lucky men. In one transaction, recorded by Pepys, he The statue alluded cleared ;^io,ooo by a timely loan to Charles II. Sir Robert, wishing to show his to above has a curious history. loyalty and gratitude at as cheap a rate as possible, obtained through his agent at Leghorn, a white marble group which was to have been erected in honour of John Sobieski, King of Poland, commemorating his conquest of the Turks, representing that hero on horseA little back, the animal trampling upon a prostrate Mussulman. alteration, not by any means an improvement, was made in the faces of the figures. Sobieski was converted into a very indifferent likeness of Charles II and the prostrate foe into that of Oliver Cromwell but the artist omitting to erase the turban on the Mussulman's head, ludicrously revealed the imposture. This group was unveiled on the day the King attended the mayoral banquet at Guildhall. It was taken down in 1736 (having remained in situ for sixty-one years), to make room for the Mansion House, built on the site of the old Stocks Market. For many years it lay neglected in a builder's shed, till an enterprising innkeeper set it up in his backyard. At last, in 1779, the Corporation presented it to Robert Viner, Esq., a descendant of the loyal Lord Mayor, who forthwith removed it to decorate his country seat. ;

Sir Robert contributed largely "

towards the rebuilding of St. a memorial whereof," says Strype, " are the Vines that adorn and spread about that part of the church that fronts his house and the Street (Lombard Street), insomuch that the church was used to be called Sir Robert Viner's church." His house was on the spot where the Post Ofhce now stands in Lombard Street.

Mary Wolnoth,

1666. Sir Charles Doe, goldsmith. For preserving the Goldsmiths' Company's plate and writings, and other their concerns, during the Great Fire, and placing them in a place of security at Edmonton: "For this careful and prudent act of the said Sir Charles Doe, the thanks of the Wardens and Assistants present were

given him." 1666. Robert South, John Terry, William Symonds, Mr. Maninge, and Williajn Daniel were goldsmiths, and donors of plate

to the Goldsmiths'

which time

Company

their gifts

previous to the Great Fire of 1666, at down into coin to supply funds

were melted

for rebuilding the Hall, etc.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

39

Anthony Bradshaw, goldsmith, presented a cup to the Goldsmiths' Company in a previous year, which was melted in 1667 i65^.

to provide 1667.

funds for repairing the Hall.

James Feake White, goldsmith, is recorded as having a cup to the Goldsmiths' Company, which was melted presented with several other pieces of plate, to provide ready money to repair Date unknown. the Hall after the Great Fire. Thomas Sir Cook, Knight, goldsmith. In the "Little i5^o. Cook and Nicholas London Directory," 1677, we find that Thomas " in Exchange the bankers at and were Griffin," goldsmiths Gary Alley. John Cook, described as son of a knight (viz., Sir Thomas), was at Merchant Taylors' School in 1686, and of St. John's College, Oxford, in 1693. (C. J. Robinson, op. cit.). Sir John Brattle was King's Assay Master at the 1670-90. Mint from 1670 to 1690. A Mr. Brattle was in 1666 Deputy Assay er "Sir John Brattle, a worthy person, and who at Goldsmiths' Hall. hath long enjoyed a considerable office in the Royal Mint." (Dr. Walker's account of ^i-x^v Baa-tXiKy, 4to, London, 1691.) Charles Brattle was King's Assayer at the Mint from 1690 to 1 7 16, also a Daniel Brattle was Assayer at the Mint about the same time.

William Gosling, one of the Sheriffs in 1684, who was and became Alderman of Farringdon Without, was proknighted bably the founder of the well-known firm of goldsmiths and 1670.

bankers; they were originally plate-workers as well as goldsmiths. We first meet with the nam^e in the account of the secret service moneys of Charles II: "On the 22nd May, 1674. To Richard Bokenham, in full, for several parcels of gold and silver lace, bought of William Gosling and Partners by the Duchess of Cleveland, for the wedding clothes of Lady Sussex and Lichfield, ;^640 8s." On the copper plate at Goldsmiths' Hall, struck by the makers with their punches between 1675 ^^^ 1697, the letter G surmounted by a crown represents this firm. The next time we find the name is in the Goldsmiths' books, when, on June 28, 1739, Richard Gosling On July 7, enters his name as plate-worker, residing in Barbican. From 1750 to 1757 the firm was 1743, he removed to Cornhill. Gosling and Bennett, and in the Parliamentary Return of 1773 they are described as Richard and Joseph Gosling, spoon makers. Cornhill.

1670. John Lindsay, goldsmith, circa 1670. He subsequently married Dorothy, the widow of John Colvill, of Lombard Street. The following goldsmiths were also severe losers by the closing of the Exchequer in 1672, which caused the utter ruin of several of

them

:

1666. William Raw son 1668. Francis Kenton, covered his position and is "

running cashes

"

and John

Marriott.

"

King's Arms," Fleet Street. He refound in the list of those who kept

five years later.

John Mawson and Co., the "Golden Hind," Fleet They kept "running cashes" at the same house in 1677. 1668.

Street.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

40

m

Lombard Joseph Horneby, goldsmith, at the "Star," took a lease of these premises in 1666, which were burned down shortly after. He lost ;^22,500 by the closing of the Exin 1672, but still continued his business, being mentioned in chequer " " " the Little London Directory of 1677 as keeping "rurming cashes 1670.

Street.

at the

He

same house. John Portman

1672.

lost

by the same iniquitous proceeding

i;76,ooo.

Thomas Rowe, of the " George," in Lombard Street, lost Thomas Rowe and George Green were at the same house 7,000. bankers in 1677, being included in the list in the "Little London 1672.

;^ 1

as

Directory." 1672. i^ 1 6,000.

Bernard Turner, of the "Fleece," Lombard Street, lost In 1777 the hrm was Turner and Tookie, keeping "run-

ning cashes." Robert Welsiead lost upwards of ;^i 1,000. 1672. Gilbert Whitehall lost as much as ^^"248,000. iQy 2. 1674. John Saunders, goldsmith, presented to the Goldsmiths' Company two silver cups and covers. We have not met with any other notice of him. iQyQ.B lane hard

and Child. After William Wheeler's death, Robert Blanchard, who was considerably senior to Francis Child, appears to have carried on the business by himself. Blanchard having married Child's mother, he took him into partnership a few years after. In the "Little

London Directory"

(1677) the firm

is

styled

Blanchard and Child, keeping "running cashes," or actually bankers. Robert Blanchard died June 5, 1681, when the firm was Francis Child and John Rogers, the latter being manager, a custom which has existed in that bank, and which is still continued subsequently a Mr. Jackson was taken in as a junior partner. ;

At Blanchard's death, Francis Child, the industrious apprentice, 68 1, became possessed of the whole fortune of the Wheelers and Blanchards, having married Elizabeth, his cousin, only daughter and heiress of his uncle, William Wheeler, junior. Robert Blanchard bequeathed ;"200 to the Goldsmiths' Comin

1

pany

for the poor.

Late in Charles

II's reign, Alderman Backwell, who was ruined by the iniquitous closing of the Exchequer, became bankrupt in 1672, and his business was transferred to the firm with all the books and accounts, which are still preserved; but it does not appear, as has been stated, that he had any further interest as a partner, Backwell having fled to Holland, where he died in 1679 Among the accounts thus transferred were those of Nell Gwynne, Prince Rupert, and

many

of the nobility.

Alderman Backwell's

son, Tyringham, married Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the first Sir Francis Child, by whom he had two sons, Barnaby and William, who both went into the bank and subsequently became partners.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

41

succeeded his John Snell, fourth son of George Snell, i^jj. " father as goldsmith and banker, at the sign of the Fox," in Lombard Street; born 165 1. He is mentioned in the "Little London Directory" as keeping "running cashes" in 1677 at the same house. Thomas Williams, goldsmith, at the "Crown," in Lom1677. " " bard Street, kept running cashes in this year he was the predecessor of Messrs. Willis, Percival and Co., bankers. ;

John Coggs was a goldsmith keeping "running cashes" 1677. " at the King's Head," in the Strand, in this year, who had apparently a very good connection as a banker. John Temple, goldsmith. Sir Robert Viner's manager, 1677. carried on his business after Sir Robert's great loss compelled him " to relinquish it. Pepys styles him, the fat blade. Sir Robert Viner'3 In 1777 we find him at the "Three Tuns," in Lombard chief man." '

Street, in partnership

with John Scale.

London Directory" of 1677 we

find a list of also bankers or kept "running cashes"; plateworkers, not keeping shops for the sale of plate, are excluded from " Hereunto is an addition of all the goldsmiths that keep this list.

In the "Little

goldsmiths

who were

running cashes."

John Addis and Company, at the Sun in Lumbard Street. John Bolitho and Mr. Wilson, at the Golden Lion in Lumbard Street.

John Ballard, at the Unicorn, Lumbard Street. Job Bolton, at the Bolt and Tun in Lumbard Street. Robert Blanchard and Child, at the Marygold in Fleet Street. Thomas Cook and 'Nicholas Cary, at the Griffin in Exchange Alley.

Mr. Cuthbert, in Cheapside. Mr. Coggs, at the King's Head in the Strand. Mr. Churchill, in the Strand. Charles Duncomb and Richard Kent, at the Grasshopper in

Lumbard in

Street.

Ewing and Benjajnin Lumbard Street. J ohn

Norrington, at the Angel and Crown

Mr. East, in the Strand. Thomas Fowles, at the Black Lion in Fleet Street. Joseph and Nathaniel Hornboy, of the Star in Lumbard Street. John Hind and Thomas Carivood, over against the Exchange in Cornhill.

Benjamin Hinton, at the Flower de Luce in Lumbard Street. James Herriot, at the Naked Boy in Fleet Street. James Hore, at the Golden Bottle in Cheapside. James Johnson, at the Three Flower de Luces in Cheapside. Thomas Kilborne and Capill, at the King's Head in Lumbard Street.

Mr. Kenton, at the King's Arms in Fleet Street. Mr. Ketch, at the Black Horse in the Strand. Henry Lamb, at the Grapes in Lumbard Street. James Lapley, at the Three Cocks in Cheapside.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

42

Golden Hind,

in

Fleet

Henry Nclthorpe, at the Rose in Lumbard Street Thomas Price, at the Goat in Lumbard Street. Pcier Percefull and Stephen Evans, at the Black Boy

in

Lum-

John Mawson and Company,

at the

Street.

bard

Street.

Thomas Pardoe, at the Golden Anchor Thomas Rowe and Thomas Green, at

in

Lumbard

Street.

the George in

Lumbard

Street.

Humphrey

Stocks, at the Black Horse in

Lumbard

Street.

John Sweet aple, at the Black Moor's Head in Lumbard Street. John Snell, at the Fox in Lumbard Street. Michael Schrimpshaw, at the Golden Lion in Fleet Street. Richard Staley, in Covent Garden. John Temple and John Seale, at the Three Tuns in Lumbard Street.

John Thurshy, at the Ball in Lumbard Street. Bar Turner and Samuel Tookie. Major John Wallis, at the An gel 1 in Lumbard

Street.

Peter Wade, at the Mermaid in Lumbard Street. Peter White and Churchill, at the Plough in Lumbard Street. Thomas White, at the Blew Anchor in Lombard Street. Thomas Williams, at the Crown in Lumbard Street. Robert Ward and John Townley, at the Ram in Lumbard Street.

the

"

1677.

Charles

Grasshopper

"

Duncombe and Richard Kent were goldsmiths at Duncombe was an apprenin Lombard Street.

of Alderman Backwell, and on his retirement and bankruptcy, occasioned by the closing of the Exchequer, started on his own account in partnership with Mr. Kent. Charles Duncombe was Master or Warden of the Mint with James Hore 1678-81. He was very successful and acquired an immense fortune. About 1696 he purchased the Duke of Buckingham's estate at Helmsley in Yorkshire, for Sir Charles ;'90,000; it was afterwards called Duncombe Park. tice

Duncombe was Sheriff in 1699 and Mayor in 1708-9. He left his estates to his sister Mrs. Brown, who, taking her brother's name, became the founder of the present family of Earl Feversham. When Duncombe retired, the business passed to a Mr. Smyth, and subsequently to Messrs. Stone and Martin, the well-known bankers. 16"/ y. James Hore or Hoare, Warden of the Mint with Charles Duncombe

1678-81, ancestor of the well-known bankers, is described " " " at the Golden foregoing list as keeping running cashes Bottle" in Cheapside, but his goldsmith's trade was established earlier than 1677. He was Comptroller of the Mint in 1661, Surveyor of the Meltings and Clerk of the Coins in 1665. and from 1679 to 1682 Warden of the Mint. About 1692 he removed to Fleet Street " where, under the sign of The Golden Bottle," his descendants still flourish. The old sign may be seen over the doorway it is the form of the old leathern bottle in which ale was carried by the labourers, haymakers and others in the seventeenth century. The popular verin the

;


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

43

sion is that it represented the identical bottle carried by the founder of the firm when he came to London to seek his fortune. Sir Richard Colt Hoare, the celebrated Wiltshire antiquary, he says the attempts to destroy this romance in his family history bottle is merely a sign adopted by James Hoare, the founder of the the city of bank, from his father having been citizen and cooper of or any bottles leathern not make did but, in fact, coopers ;

London,

wooden

vessels of that shape.

Thomas Jameson, goldsmith, gave

1649.

the

;^ioo for the poor of

Company.

Mr. Fells, goldsmith, "The Bunch of Grapes," Strand. 1680. The following advertisement appears in a newspaper of October

"There was dropt out of a balcony in Cheapside a very case studded with gold; if any person hath taken it watch large will and bring it to Mr. Fells, goldsmith, at the sign of The away Bunch of Grapes in the Strand, he shall have a guinney reward." 1680-1702. Marot (Daniel), a Huguenot artificer and designer, was originally an architect. He was brought to this country by William III from Holland, where he had taken refuge. His works have " been described as an inexhaustible treasury of models for gold and The silver." candlesticks, in the form of corinthian columns his early pursuits), were probably designed by him, (prompted by He although popularly ascribed to the period of Queen Anne. in the of a of was the cause doubtless plate style great improvement 29th, 1680

:

'

'

so much appreciated. Pierre Earache, an eminent goldsmith and plateworker, of Suffolk Street, Charing Cross, emigrated from France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The first time we meet with his mark is on the copper plate at Goldsmiths' Hall between 1675 and 1697. The first record of his name is of the latter year. The earliest pieces of plate we have seen are an old standard two-handled cup of the year 1691, and a fine helmet-shaped ewer of the New Standard of 1697, engraved with the arms of William III, presented by the King He died in to the Duke of Devonshire, weighing seventy ounces. 1700, and was succeeded by his son Peter Harache, junior, then resid-

of the

Anne era now

1680.

ing in Compton Street, Soho. The father's mark was his initials with two ermines above, surmounted by a crown, and a crescent under, to which the son added a fleur-de-lis between the letters. The latest pieces ,we have met with are of 1 705-6, probably the date of his

The important and massive plate made for the Duke of death. Marlborough, with several others, will be found noted in the Appendix, being all of the new standard. 1 68 1. Heneage Price, goldsmith, took the lease of a house on the south side of the Strand, without Temple Bar, in the parish of St.

Clement's Danes in 1681.

In a minute of the vestry book of Hadley, dated April 11, 1687, "it was agreed that Mr. Tayler, W. Dale and Daniel Hudson, churchwardens, and George Baron, overseer for the poor, shall go to


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

44

London upon the parish charge to receive the legacy of the late R. Hble. Henry Coventry, Esq., one hundred founds to the poor of Hadley, to put the said hundred pounds into the hands of Mr. Heneage Price, goldsmith, nigh Temple Bar, to ly there till it be called for by the parish." (" Monken Hadley," by F. C. Cass, M.A.) Sir Francis Child, on the death of Robert Blanchard, 1 68 1. succeeded to the business, taking his manager, John Rogers, as a partner he lived at Parson's Green, and was buried in the parish derive the following authentic information church of Fulham. " Sir Francis Child, Knight and from the inscription on his tomb of Christ's Church Hospital in London, Alderman, and President who departed this life October the 4th, 17 13, aetatis 71. He was Sheriff 1690, and Lord Mayor in the year 1699, and in the year 1702 he was chosen one of the foiir citizens to serve for the said city in the first Parliament of the reign of Queen Anne. He married Elizabeth, the only daughter and heiress of William Wheeler, goldsmith, by whom he had twelve sons and three daughters. The bodies of his sons James and William, and of his daughter Martha, wife of Anthony Collins, Esqre., are removed from the church into this vault." Of the twelve sons, we have been able to trace only Sir Robert, Sir Francis, Sir John, and Samuel, who succeeded him as goldsmiths and bankers in Fleet Street; Sir Josiah,* an East India director; another who was Governor of Bombay; Stephen, who in partnership with Mr. Tudman, was a goldsmith at the Crown in Lombard Street, now the house of Willis, Percival and Co.; and James and William, who probably died in their infancy. He had three brothers Daniel lived with him at Parson's Green, Edward living at Burghley in 1686, and John who lived at Devizes. :

We

:

Prince Rupert, son of the Queen of Bohemia (daughter of James who died at his house in Barbican in 1682, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, left a collection of jewels valued at ;^20,ooo, which were disposed of by lottery under the management of Mr. Francis Child in the following year. An advertisement in "The London Gazette" of October, 1683, announced that "the jewels had been valued by Mr. Isaac Legouch, Mr. Christopher Rosse, and Mr. Richard Beauvoir, jewellers, and will be sold by lottery, each lot to be ^. The biggest prize will be a pearl necklace valued at ;^3,ooo, I),

and none less than i;ioo. The money to be paid to Mr. Child, who will stand obliged to all the adventurers, and that they shall receive their money back if the drawing does not take place on the ist in the February next. The drawing will take of His place presence Majesty, who will himself see that all the prizes are put in among the blanks, and that the whole will be managed with equity and f air*

Re*bcca, third daughter of Sir Josiah Child, of Wansted, was married to Charles, Marquis of Worcester, son of the Duke of Beaufort, in 1683. This lady was also grandmother of the Duke of Grafton.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS. ness."

tickets

45

The drawing took place at Whitehall, the King counting among all the lords and ladies who flocked to take part in

the the

adventure.

The name of Sarah, the celebrated Duchess of Marlborough, the friend of Queen Anne, must ever be remembered with reference to Child's bank. On one occasion when a rumour was afloat that a run was about to be made, she collected as much gold as she could and brought it down herself to the bank at Temple Bar on the very morning the run was to be made, thus enabling the firm to meet all demands.

Anthony Ficketts, goldsmith, bequeathed ;^ioo to the 1685. poor of the Goldsmiths' Company. 1688. Sir John Shorter, Knight, goldsmith,* was appointed

the City of London by James II for year 1688. He met his death in a singular manner. He was on his way to open Bartholomew Fair by reading the proclamation at the entrance to Cloth Fair, Smithfield. It was the custom for the Mayor on his way to call on the Keeper of Newgate, and there partake of a cool tankard of wine spiced and sweetened. In receiving the tankard. Sir John let the lid suddenly fall down the noise frightening the horse he was upon, it started, and he was thrown violently, and died the following day, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. In Strype's Stow, opposite the name of Sir John Shorter, Mayor in " Never served Sheriff, nor 1688, are placed these significant words a freeman of the City; appointed by King James II." This must, however, be incorrect, for John Shorter was one of the sheriffs in 1675, in the mayoralty of Sir Thomas Viner. Sir John Shorter was buried in St. Saviour's Church (formerly St Mary Overie) in 1688, and his wife in 1703. He was the grandfather of Lady Walpole, wife of Sir Robert and mother of Horace Walpole.

Mayor of

;

:

William Pier son, goldsmith, bequeathed

1689.

'^0

for the

poor goldsmiths. Messrs. Hankey, goldsmiths and bankers, were estab1690. lished about this time at the sign of the "Three Golden Balls" in Fenchurch Street ;t they were also pawnbrokers, as most of the goldsmiths embraced that profitable business. The sign of "the three balls" (two to one) having been adopted by pawnbrokers, and the Messrs. Hankey having dropped that particular line of business,

changed

their sign to

"The Golden

Ball,"

and continued

there

many

years. *

He was

educated at Merchant Taylors' School, which he entered in 1641 and bankers advanced money upon pledges just as do now, choosing, of course, the most valuable articles as security, fawnbrokers n the early ledgers of Alderman Backwell and Blanchard and Childs's accounts may be seen a separate heading of " Pawnes," to which all interest and profits arising from "money lent" on pledges, or more marketable security, was placed. In the days of Charles II the bankers charged as much as twenty or thirty per cent for money, while they never appear to have allowed more than six per cent on deposit. t

The

old goldsmiths

.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

46 1690.

George MicLdleton was goldsmith

at the

"

''

Three Crowns

The business was rein St. Martin's Lane, City, about this time. to Durham Yard in the Strand, and continued by Messrs.

moved

Middleton and Campbell. Sir Thomas 1690. this time at the "Black

Bowles, goldsmith and banker, dwelt about

1691, an annuity of ten

Lion" in Fleet Street. He left by will, in pounds for the poor of the Company of

Goldsmiths. 'James Heriot, a descendant of the celebrated George 1590. Heriot of Edinburgh, "kept running cashes" at the sign of the "Naked Boy" in Fleet Street. In 1756, Joseph Heriot, of Great St. Andrew's Street, Seven Dials, entered his name at Goldsmiths' Hall as plateworker, also a descendant. Mr. James Coiitts succeeded Messrs. Middleton and 1692. " the Three Crowns" in 1692. His cheques bore a circuat Campbell lar stamp of three crowns and the letters J. C. reversed and inter-

" around which was his address, At the Three Crowns in the Strand, next door to the Globe tavern, A.D. 1692." He was the originator of the widely-known banking house of Messrs. Coutts and Co. It is stated that when James Coutts came up to London on a visit to his brothers, he happened to meet a Miss Polly Peagrim, the niece of George Campbell, the goldsmith of St. Martin's Lane, that he fell in love and was married to her. Shortly after, Mr. Campbell took him into partnership, Coutts having given trp his connection with his brothers in an old-established business at Edinburgh, and the style of the firm was Campbell and Coutts. George Campbell died in 1761, when James Coutts took his brother Thomas into partnership, who gave up his business in St. Mary Axe, when it became Coutts and Coutts. Mr. James Coutts died in 1778. His brother Thomas long survived him, and became one of the first bankers in London.

laced,

Mr. Thomas Coutts, who had lived as a bachelor for many years, married Elizabeth Starkey, a superior domestic servant in his brother's service, and by her he had three daughters who were called " the three Graces." The eldest, Susan, married the Earl of Guildford the second, Frances, married the Marquis of Bute and Sophia, his third and youngest daughter, married Sir Francis Burdett, Bart. After Mrs. Coutts's death, who had been an invalid for many years, he married (in 181 5) Miss Mellon, the actress, he being then eighty years of age. He died on February 22, 1822, at the age of eighty-seven, leaving his widow the whole of his property amounting, ;

it is

;

said, ;;^900,ooo.

Mrs. Coutts afterwards married the Duke of St. Albans; she, however, reserved to herself by marriage settlement, the sole control of her property, and at her death she left the whole of her great wealth to Angela Burdett, the favourite granddaughter of Mr. Thomas Coutts. This lady then assumed the additional name of Coutts, and was subsequently created a peeress with the title of Baroness Burdett-Coutts.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

47

royal family formerly banked with Messrs. Coutts; but hearing that Mr. Coutts had supported Sir Francis Burdett at the Westminster election by the loan of a large sum of money 1 as reported), immediately withdrew his account from the (;!^ 00,000 house, and afterwards banked with Messrs. Drummond; but at the desire of His Majesty that his son should be refused any further loans, the prince withdrew and placed his account at Coutts's, where he was amply supplied with funds, and the royal family still bank

The

George

III,

there.

Thomas Seymour, goldsmith, presented, in 1693, to the 1693. company a silver salt with a crystal cylinder; height io| inches. The foot ornamented with cherub heads and lieur de lis, etc., resting upon eight lions. We have met with no other notice of this donor. In this year the Goldsmiths met with a serious rival by 1694. the foundation of the Bank of England, which was mainly instituted through the exertions of 'William Paterson, a Scotchman. Peter Floyer, goldsmith, of Love Lane, was in a very ex1695. tensive way of business as a refiner. His son, was Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company in 1773.

An act was passed

in the reign of Charles II and revived fourth as a means of supplying the Mint with bullion, it was enacted therein that every person who should bring bullion of gold or silver to the Mint to be coined should receive weight for weight in standard coins. This permission was discontinued in 1695, and was highly necessary that it should be put a stop to, for in an account delivered to the committee of the whole House in February, 1695, by Mr. Neale, Master of the Mint, he stated that from Lady Day immediately preceding, 721,800 guineas had been coined in the Tower for divers persons, among whom were

James

II

:

:

Peter Floyer

139,752 gumeas.

John Mousley ... Royal African Company Lord Lucas Countess of Northampton Sir Francis Child

Richard

Howe

...

Commons

3

21,389 115 21

41,819 18,181

Journals, Vol. XI, pp. 447-53.

Benjamin Pyne was a goldsmith and celebrated plateHis name was entered in 1697, living in St. Martin's le Grand. Numerous fine examples are preserved, made between 1697 and 1 72 1. His mark was PY, with a fleur-de-lis surmounted by a 1697.

worker.

crown. 1697. Anthony Nehne, goldsmith and plateworker living in Avie Mary Lane," entered his name and mark at the Hall in 1697. He seems to have been extensively patronised, judging from the numerous pieces of plate which have come under our notice. He died "

5


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

48 in

1722,

and was succeeded by Francis Nelme in that year, who monogram and re-entered his name at the same

adopted the satne house in 1739.

1697. John Bodington, goldsmith and plate-worker, at the Mitre" in Foster Lane, entered his name at the Hall in 1697. There are several examples of his plate extant. His mark had a mitre above his initials. Edmund Bodington succeeded in 1727 at the "

same house. William Gamble was a celebrated goldsmith and plate1697. worker living in Foster Lane. He entered his name at the Hall in crowned in a April, 1697, but his mark for the old standard, circle, is found on the copper plate at Goldsmiths' Hall struck between 1675 and 1696. His Britannia mark of GA crowned in a circle is frequently met with in the latter part of the seventeenth and commencement of the eighteenth century, and many fine examples of his plate have come under our notice Monteiths, cups, tankards, etc. He was succeeded by his son, Ellis Gamble, who removed to " the Golden Angel, Cranbourn Alley, Lester Fields," who doubtless adopted the same mark, as it was only obligatory to use the first two letters of the surname, so there was no occasion of a re-entry, a notice

WG

of the change being sent to the Hall. Hogarth was apprenticed to Mr. Ellis Gamble, silversmith, in 171 2, when he was fifteen years of age, and remained with him for six years, his time having expired. It was there he learned the art of plate-engraving. Shop bills of

Gamble's engraved by his famous apprentice, are much sought after collectors of engravings.* Hogarth died 1764. David Willaume came to England about 1686, and com1697. menced business as a goldsmith and plate-worker m Pall Mall. His mark is found on the copper plate previous to 1697, and he entered In 1720 his name at the Hall for the New Standard in April, 1697. " he removed to the Golden Ball," in St. James's Street, where he had "running cashes," or, in other words, became a banker. In 1739 he again entered his name at the Hall. He was one of the Protestants who fled from Metz after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, declared October 24, 1685.

by

Pierre Plat el, goldsmith and plate -worker, entered his i6gg. He was one at the Hall in 1699, living in the "Pell Mell." of the Huguenots who escaped to England after the revocation of

name

He was much patronised, and produced some of plate, among which may be specially noted the standard gold ewer and salver, of elegant form and workmanship, in the possession of the Duke of .Devonshire, made in 1701 many ether pieces in silver are extant. The mark he adopted was PL with a crown above and fleur-de-lis below (the two first letters of his name), very similar to that of Paul de Lamerie, which he adopted the Edict of Nantes. artistic pieces

;

*

One of these bills has an engraving; of an angel holding a palm, with an inscription in French ajid English: "Ellis Gamble at the 'Golden Angel,' in Cranbourne Street, Leicester Fields, makes, buys, and sells all sorts of plate, etc."


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

49

in 1732; but they cannot be confounded, as Platel's mark only occurs on the New Standard, and he probably died about 1720, the last The gold ewer above piece we have met with being made in 17 19. mentioned was made many years before Paul de Lamerie entered his name and mark of LA in 17 12.

Stephen Child (son of the first Sir Francis) joined Mr. a Tudman, goldsmith, "at y^ Crown in Lumbard St.," about this date, and the representatives of that firm are now Messrs. Willis, Percival and Co. Thomas Snow was a goldsmith at the " Golden Anchor," 1700. He was a very careful man of business. He sucin the Strand. ceeded Sir Jeremiah Snow, of Lombard Street. The following story is told by Mr. Frederick Martin, in his stories of "Banks and " Bankers." Sampson Gideon, a great Jew broker, had occasion to borrow ;^20,ooo of Mr. Snow, the banker. Very shortly afterwards a panic occurred, and Mr. Snow, alarmed for the safety of his loan, addressed a piteous epistle to the Jew, entreating him to pay the money at once, and thereby save him from bankruptcy and utter ruin. Gideon knew his man well and determined to give him back his coveted property, but to punish him at the same time for his want of confidence. Accordingly he sent for a phial of hartshorn, and wrapping it in twenty notes of iJ^ 1,000 each, returned the loan in that form to Mr. Thomas Snow, goldsmith, near Temple Bar." Thomas Snow, profiting by the experience of his predecessor. Sir Jeremiah, was sagacious enough to avoid ruin in the fatal bubble year of 1720. Mr. Gay celebrates his good fortune in an "Epistle to Thomas Snow, goldsmith, near Temple Bar": 1700.

"

O Thou

!

whose penetrative wisdom found

'The South-sea rocks and shelves, where thousands drown'd, When credit sunk, and commerce gasping lay. Thou stood'st, nor sent'st one bill unpaid away When not a guinea chink'd on Martin's boards, And Attwell's self was drain'd of all his hoards." ;

The

was subsequently Snow and Walton, goldsmiths and many other goldsmiths and bankers. About 1730 it was Snow and Paltock. In 1736 the firm was Snow and Co. From 1754 to 1768, Snow and Denne. In 1768, William Sandby, 1 bookseller in Fleet Street, was associated with the firm. In 1798, Mr. J. Dean Paul was admitted, and it became the bank of Paul, Strahan, and Bates. In 1856 the house failed through the unscrupulous conduct of some of the partners, who misappropriated the securities left in their charge, and they were transported. Atwell and Co., goldsmiths and bankers, from about 1700. 1680 to 1720, when they railed. Their names are mentioned by Gay firm

pawnbrokers, like

poem addressed to Thomas Snow in 1720, the fatal South Sea Bubble year, "And Atwell's self was drained of all his hoards." Simon Pantin, goldsmith and plate-worker, of the "Pea1701. cock," St. Martin's Lane, City, entered his name at the Hall in June, in his


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

50

In 1717 he removed to Castle Street, Leicester Fields. He 1701. died in 1728, and was succeeded by his son, Simon Pantin, junior, who entered his name in February, 1829, and removed 1731 to

m

busmess was Numerous examples of the Pantins's make are preserved, bearmg the well-known mark of a peacock with his tail outspread over the initials. On old Simon Pantin's death, Lewis Pantin remained in Castle Street, but adopted for his mark a globe above his initials, entered in 1733 and 1739. In 1773 he was located at 45 Fleet Street. 1 70 1. Humphrey Payne, goldsmith and plate-worker, at the " Golden Cup," Gutter Lane (formerly Guthuron's Lane), entered In 1720 he was in Cheaphis name at the Hall in December, 1701.

Green

Dying Street, Leicester Fields. carried on by his widow, Mary Pantin.

in

1733, the

the same house, but died He re-entered his mark in 1739 at " dead." He was succeeded shortly after, as underneath is written by his son, John Payne, who entered his mark in 1751 and was goldsmith there in 1773. This old-established hrm was much patronised; and numerous fine examples are preserved in collections. 1703. John Smith, goldsmith, of Holborn, was entered for the New Standard at the Hall, in 1697. By his will, dated 1703, he gave the sum of ^^420 to the Goldsmiths for the poor of the Com-

side.

pany.

John Croker, born at Dresden in 1670, was originally a came to England, and was employed at the Mint. In 1705 he was appointed Chief Engraver, subsequently Mint Master by Queen Anne until his death in 1740, when he was succeeded by Dassier. Queen Anne's farthings, about which some absurd rumours have been in circulation as to their value, were designed by him, but, owing to the Queen's death, they were never circulated, hence their 1705.

jeweller,

comparative

rarity.

There

are

six

varieties

of

these

pattern

The prices of them farthings, struck in gold, silver, copper and tin. Those in copper, frequently met vary, of course, with the material. with, may be obtained from ten shillings to twenty shillings each but some types are more scarce, say forty shillings to fifty shillings. I Charles Boil, born at Stockholm, the son of a French"/O^. man, was a jeweller, and came to England to follow that trade. He afterwards painted portraits in enamel so successfully that he was much patronised in the reign of Queen Anne. He died in 1726. ;

Gabriel Heath, goldsmith and plate-worker of Gutter 1706. Lane, entered his name at the Hall in March, 1706, New Standard, and for the Old Standard in 1720, and re-entered in 1739. In 1753 the firm was Gabriel Heath and Francis Crumpe at the same house. Sir Richard Hoare, goldsmith. Sheriff, 1709, Lord Mayor, 171 3, M.P. for the City of London. He died in 1718, and by his will he left the sum of ij"200 for the poor of the Goldsmiths' Company, and was buried at St. Dunstan's in the West; the monument was erected

by

his son,

Henry.

1708-73. Augustin Courtauld, goldsmith and plateworker, living in Church Street, St. Martin's Lane, City, entered his name


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

51 "

December, 1708. In 1729 he removed to Shandois (Chandos) Street." In 1746, Samuel Courtauld was still at the same house, removing to Cornhill in 175 1. Louisa Courtauld, his widow, succeeded to the business in Cornhill, in partnership with George Cowles, in 1773. William Hand, a goldsmith, carried on his trade in 1 7 10. Russell Street, Covent Garden, in 17 10. Richard Wright, goldsmith, probably earlier. In 1729 171 2. Anthony Wright was a goldsmith living in Great Russell Street, Covent Garden; and in 1754, Anthony Wright was at the "Golden " Common (sic) Garden." Afterwards Wright & Co., Cup," at the

Hall

in

bankers.

Paul de Lamerie dwelt at the "Golden Ball," in Wind1 71 2. mill Street, near the Haymarket. He first entered his name at GoldIn or about 1739 we find he had smiths' Hall on February 5, 17 12. removed to Gerard Street, Soho. After carrying on business for forty years, he died at an advanced age in 175 1> leaving no one to succeed him. This celebrated silversmith, whose name is so well known to

and whose works are still so highly appreciated, was greatly patronised by the nobility and gentry as the first silversmith of his time; and there is no doubt he was an artist and designer as

collectors,

well as a plate-worker. It is not known when De Lamerie was appointed Royal Goldsmith, but his mark has always borne a crown over his initials from He was of foreign the date of his first entry at the Hall in 17 12. It may be here extraction, and probably learned his art in France. observed that he, and many others who acquired celebrity about that time in England, had probably quitted Paris towards the end of the reign of Louis XIV, when the trade had declined to such an extent that they were compelled to find employment in other counthe Grand Monarque, to pay the expense of his wars, having tries sent his plate to the Mint, in 1688, to be melted; an example which was followed by all his Court, but not before careful drawings had been made by the goldsmith Delaunay and others. Notwithstanding the alteration of the standard in 1720, De Lamerie still continued making plate of the New or Britannia Standard down to 1732, both qualities being allowed by the Act of ParAll the principal silversmiths disapproved of the alteraliament. tion; and a remonstrance was submitted to the House of Commons, " The Case of the Working Goldsmiths against the New entitled :

Act."

(Guildhall Library.) that the new standard was not only a better colour and more brilliant, but that it would be impossible to produce so high a finish and such elaborate chasing or curious work on the " old standard. It continues Foreign courts, where a coarser alloy is used, give frequent commissions for their most valuable plate to be made in London; but it would be impossible for the finest artist to finish so complete a work in silver of the old standard as it is now performed in the new standard; and that the former, of 11 oz.

They considered

:


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

52

2 dwt., would not stand the iire to receive proper ornaments." They also objected the duty of sixpence per ounce which was proposed, and urged that the old standard with the duty would be threepence dearer than the new standard. It was in consequence of this assertion that Section 41 of the new act was added to it, giving the workers an opportunity of working either of the qualities.

Andreiv Drummond, a goldsmith, was established about son of Sir John Drummond, of Machany. In 1754 the firm was still styled Andrew Drummond and Co.; in 1770 John Drummond; and in 1775 Robert Drummond and Co.; 1805 Andrew Drummond was head partner; and since then the firm has always been Drummond and Co. When George III became displeased with his bankers Messrs. Coutts, he withdrew his balance, and banked afterwards with Messrs. Drummond. George, Prince of Wales, likewise kept an account with them for some years, but he was probably too extravagant, and the king desired Messrs. Drummond not to make any further advances to his son. They were placed in an awk171

2.

this time;

ward

If they disobeyed the king's commands, they would position. lose the accounts and gain the favours of the prince the other

On

hand, they would offend the prince and lose the royal accounts on the king's death. The Drummonds, however, obeyed His Majesty's command, and refused any further advances to the Prince of Wales, who then went to Messrs. Coutts and obtained whatever he required, and the royal family have banked there ever since. the

"

William Bellassyse, goldsmith and plateworker at 1716-40. Mitre," in Monkwell Street, first entered his name at the Hall in

March, 17 16. mitre over his sign,

In 1723 he removed to Holborn. His mark was a His son Charles succeeded him at the same

initials.

having removed to Eagle 18.

Red Lion Square, 1740. his father Sir Richard; a book Hoare, bears his arms and date

Street,

Henry Hoare succeeded

17 plate in the possession of Captain " Datur HORA AMORI," 1705. The old canting motto of the family, is susceptible of various free translations. He bequeathed in 1722, ^^200 for the poor of the Goldsmith's Company.

1718-73. John Hugh Le Sage, plateworker of St. Martin's Lane, Long Acre, first entered his name in October, 17 18. In 1722 he had removed to Great Suffolk Street, Charing Cross in 1739 he was still at the same house. E[e was succeeded by Simon Le Sage in :

the same year, who re-entered his name in 1754. Augustus Le Sage of Great Suffolk Street is mentioned in the parliamentary list of This old-established business produced some fine pieces, ^773many of which are still extant. 1718. Madding, goldsmith, in 17 18 kept the "Golden Bottle" in Cheapside, then recently vacated by Messrs. Hoare.

The second Sir Richard Hoare, principal of the firm, 1722. succeeded Sir F. Child as alderman of the ward of Farringdon Sheriff in 1 740-1, in which year there were three lord Without. mayors. He died October 12, 1754, and was buried in St. Dunstan's; his monument records that he was Lord Mayor in the memorable


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

53

year 1745, in which alarming crisis he discharged the great trust rein him with honour and integrity, to the approbation of his sovereign and of his fellow citizens.

posed

17 1 8-3

1.

William Darker att, goldsmith and plateworker,

"Acorn" in Foster Lane, entered He was succeeded by his son William

the

at

name in January, 171 8. 1724, who removed to the

his

in

Martin's Lane, in the Strand;

still there in 1731. Boothby, goldsmith and plateworker at the 1720-39. George " Parrot," in the Strand, near Temple Bar. He entered his name at the Hall in March, 1720, both for old and new standard silver, and again in 1739. His mark bore a parrot over his initials.

St.

"Rose,"

Sir Francis Child (second son of the first Sir Francis), goldsmith, succeeded his brother. He was elected alderman of his ward in 1721 sheriff, 1722; lord mayor and knighted in 1732; president of Christ's Hospital between 1727 and 1740; he was also member of Parliament and director of the East India Company. After the first Sir Francis's death in 171 3 the firm became Robert Child, Fran" cis Child, Henry Rogers (nephew of John), and Morse, styled Sir Robert Child and Co."; ofter the death of Sir Robert in 1721, "Sir Francis Child and Co." ;

Francis Child (the second knight) died in 1740, Child, his younger brother, became head of the firm in " Samuel Child and Co."* It so partnership with Backwell, styled remained until Samuel Child's death in 1752, when it became Messrs. Child and Backzuell, Mrs. Samuel Child and her children, Francis and Robert, being heads of the firm; she had also one daughter. In 1763, Mrs. Child and her son Francis both died, and Robert " Robert Child and Child, Esq., became head of the firm, styled Co.'' He purchased a house in Berkeley Square from the Duke of Manchester for ;" 10,500, which is still the residence of the Earl of Robert Child, Esq., married Sarah, daughter of Paul JodJersey. drell, Esq., by whom, he had a daughter, Sarah Anne, who married, May 20, 1782, John, tenth Earl of Westmorland. romantic story is told, that Lord Westmorland was dining with Mr. Robert Child one afternoon, and, among other subjects " Child, I wish upon which they conversed. Lord Westmorland said for your opinion on the following case. Suppose that you were in love with a girl, and her father refused his consent to the union, 1

72 1.

Sir

when Samuel

A

:

what should you do?" "Why run away with her, to be sure," was Mr. Child's prompt reply, little thinking at the time that it was his daughter that the querist was in love with. That night, or a few days after, Lord Westmorland eloped with Miss Sarah Child in a postchaise and four from the Berkeley Square house northwards. Mr. Child promptly gave chase in a similar conveyance, and was on the point of overtaking the runaways, when Lord Westmorland, leaning out of the window, shot one of the leaders, which overturned the carriage and caused a delay, giving the pair time to reach Gretna, and be married without further hindrance. During the !

*

He was Member

of Parliament.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

54

runaway marriage and his death in 1782, Mr. Robert Child never forgave Lord and Lady Westmorland. He died in the course of the same year, and by his will he left the whole of his immense fortune to the first daughter of the union, Lady Sarah Sophia Fane, who married, on May 23, 1804, George Villiers, Earl of Jersey. After Robert Child, Esq.'s, death in July, 1782, the " firm was Mrs. Sarah Child and partners, styled Child and Co." In 1791 Mrs. Sarah Child married Lord Ducie; Lady Ducie died in In 1806 the Right Hon. Sarah Sophia Child, Countess of 1793. Jersey, participated in the profits of the house as head partner she died in 1867, after a reign of sixty-one years. Her son, Victor Albert, Earl of Jersey, is the present leader of the firm. The last of the Childs died early in this century short interval between the

;

The banking house was known by the sign of the with the motto "Ainsi mon ame." The original sign seen in the

office,

and a marigold

in full

bloom

still

"

"

Marygold

is still to be blossoms on the

bank cheques, as well as in the water mark. " The Marygold " was in King James I's reign a public ordinary kept by Richard Compton (Beaufoy tokens). In Pennant's time (1790) the original goldsmith's shop seems to still existed in Fleet Street in connection with this bank. As a " father of the profession," banker. Pennant calls Sir Francis Child having laid aside the legitimate goldsmith's trade and confined himself entirely to banking.

have

In 1788 the firm of Child's purchased the renowned "Devil Tavern" where the Apollo Club held its merry meetings presided over by Ben Jonson. The old sign of Saint Dunstan tweaking the devil by his nose hung outside formerly in Fleet Street; he was patron of the goldsmiths.. Adjoining was the old church of St. Dunstan, where the two clubmen struck the hours and quarters on a bell suspended between them. The tavern was pulled down to erect the

houses

now

called Child's Place.

Sir Robert Child, Sir Francis Child's eldest son, goldsmith, named after his stepfather Robert Blanchard, went into partnership with his father. He was elected alderman of Farringdon Ward

Without in

in 17 13, and was Sir Robert Child

72 Osterley Park the Adelphi. 1

1.

;

knighted in 17 14.

He

died without issue

was the first of the family who resided at the mansion was built by Robert Adam, architect of

1720. John Lmv, goldsmith, of Edinburgh, born 168 1. Various schemes were projected about this time for paying off the National Debt. The South Sea Company's proposals were accepted,

and

the royal assent was given to an act enabling the company to money for the purpose. Bubbles of every description were floated in the air. The Prince of Wales is said to have cleared

raise

by his speculations. Law, among others, projected the establishment of a bank with paper issues for the purpose of remedying the deficiency of a circulating medium, to the amount of the value of all the lands in the kingdom; but this scheme was rejected ;^40,ooo


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS. In 17 16, having in England. Orleans, he opened a bank by joined the Mississippi scheme enriching the subscribers, and

55

gained the patronage of the Duke of

royal authority at Paris. To this was paying off the National Debt and people flocked with the object of converting their gold and silver into paper. The bubble, however, burst about June, 1720, when its amount was ;^ 1 00,000,000 sterling, and Law was exiled to Pontoise. He died in 1729. for

Paid Crespin, or Crispine (as spelt in one entry), gold1720. " first Golden Ball," Compton Street, Soho. smith, lived at the name find his entered, both for the old and new standard, in 1720, have met with and again at the same house in 1739 and in 1757. numerous examples, which prove their merit, having been treasured beautiful inkup for more than one hundred and fifty years.

We

We

A

stand, shell-shaped with shells, coral, etc., modelled in high relief, is in the Duke of Devonshire's collection; an epergne and portions of a dinner service, in that of Lord Hotham, show the character of his work, both ornamental

and

useful.

Joseph Freame, in 1728, is described as a citizen and goldsmith in partnership with Thos. Gould. In 1736 the latter died, and was succeeded by J as. Barclay. In 1768 Silvanus Bevan joined the firm, Freame died in 1770, and in 1786 John Henton Tritton became a partner. The sign of the banking house in 1728 was the " Black Spread Eagle." In Feter Archajnbo, goldsmith and plateworker. 1720-50. 1720 he dwelt at the "Golden Cup," in Green Street, Leicester Square, but removed to Hemings Row in 1722. We next find him located at the same sign in Coventry Street in 1739, and in 1749 he was associated with Peter Meure. Judging from his mark, he was patronised by the aristocracy, bearing a crown above his initials and a two-handled cup below. He worked both in the new and old 1720.

standard.

John Fuite, goldsmith and plateworker, entered his Hall in September, 1721, living in Ireland's Yard, Blackfriars; he afterwards removed to Litchfield Street, Soho. His next entry is in 1739. His mark was a large helmet-shaped ewer between his initials. He died in 1740, and the business was continued by his widow in York Buildings, George Street, using a similar mark 1721-39. at the

name

but altering the

initials.

Heiherington, goldsmith, left a sum of ;^ioo for the poor of the Goldsmiths' Company. William Atkinson, goldsmith and plateworker, at the 1725. " Golden Cup," New Fish Street Hill. He first entered his name at the Hall in May, 1725. His mark has a two-handled cup above his initials. He worked both in the new and old standard. In the small workers' book at Goldsmiths' Hall we find an entry " of Jean Harache, a f oriner residing in Rider's Corte, Soho," on His mark was I H, a crown above and a lion rampant June 22, 1726. beneath the letters. Also Francis Harache, silversmith, at "ye 1722.

Humphrey

Blackmoor's head," Great St. Andrew Street, .St. Giles's, on February in a square. These entries prove 16, 1738; his mark was simply F

H


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

56

that the family continued working in the same trade in the interim between the demise of Pierre and the advent of Thomas Harache, of

whom we 1734.

shall presently speak.

-Henry Jerningham, goldsmith, about

this time.

The

project of building a new bridge at Westminster was set on foot in the year 1734. The finances were to be obtained by means of a lottery, for which an Act of Parliament was passed authorising the raising of a fund, from which amount, after paying the prizes, it was estimated there would be a residue of iJ" 100,000 for the new work. In connection with this lottery a curious incident may be mentioned. On IMarch 2, 1735, whilst the bill was in progress, Henry Jerningham, goldsmith, petitioned the House, stating that he had made a silver cistern that had been acknowledged, by all persons of skill who had seen the same, to excel whatever of the kind had been attempted in this kingdom; that, after an expense of several thousand pounds on the workmanship alone, exclusive of the weight in silver, and after great hazards in the furnace, and four years of application to the raising and adorning the model, the cistern now

remained on his hands.

The House not only thought the proposition reasonable, but actually voted an instruction to the committee on the bill to make provision in it for the petitioner, by directing the disposal of the cistern

by lottery. Henry Jerningham, goldsmith, died

in 1761,

and was buried

in

the churchyard of St. Paul's, Covent Garden.

These massive cisterns were in fashion in noble families towards the end of the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth century. One in the Duke of Rutland's possession weighs two thousand ounces. Another, six feet high, together with a fountain, belonging to the Earl of Chesterfield, weighs 3,546 ounces. Most of these cisterns were melted down subsequently to be remade into dinner services or more useful and less cumbrous pieces of plate. Richard Gurney entered his name as plateworker at 1734Goldsmiths' Hall on December 23, 1734, in partnership with Thomas Cook at the "Golden Cup" in Foster Lane. The next entry is Richard Gurney and Co. with new marks, June 28, 1739, and again at the same house in 1748 andi750; but their names are not in the list

of plateworkers in the parliamentary return of 1773, wherein,

it

must be observed, many goldsmiths who kept shops are not noticed. His ancestor. Sir Richard Gurney, knight and baronet, clothworker, was mayor m 1642. He was discharged by the Parliament and succeeded by Sir Isaac Pennington, fishmonger, who was, with other aldermen, committed to the Tower and convicted of high treason for the murder of King Charles I, and died in the Tower. William Garrard, plateworker, of Staining Lane, entered 1735his name at the Hall in April, 1735. Removed to Noble Street in

m

In 1773 his name occurs the parliamentary list. He ap1739. pears also to have had another house in Short's Buildings, Clerkenwell, which in 1755 was removed to Noble Street.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS. 1739-47.

Noble

57

Marmaduke Daintrey, goldsmith and plateworker, of name in 1739. In 1747 he removed to the The name of Marmaduke Daintrey occurs

Street, entered his " Crown," in Old Street.

in the

parliamentary

living at Hartley

list

of 1773, probably his son, a spoonmaker,

Row, Hants.

Thomas Gilpin, goldsmith, of Lincoln's Inn Gate, entered his name at the Hall July 2, 1730. "The grand service of plate which graced the royal table, at the banquet given by Sir Samuel Fludyer at the Mansion House on Lord Mayor's Day, 1761, which the king and queen honoured with their presence, was made new for the occasion by Mr. Gilpin, with whom the city exchanged a quantity of old

plate for the new." (" Old English Plate," by W. I. Cripps.) 1740. John Barker, goldsmith, at the "Morocco Ambassador's Head " in Lombard Street. His name is revealed to us by a shop bill, engraved by Hogarth, having a Turk's head at the top.

en1740. Bejijainiji Gurden, goldsmith, of Noble Street, first tered his name at the Hall as plateworker in 1740. His name also occurs in the list of 1773 at the same house. He died in 1804, having been in business upwards of sixty years. He bequeathed three hundred pounds to the Goldsmiths for the use of the poor. G. M. Moser, goldsmith 1740. in 1707; died in London 1783. He

and artist, born at Schaffhausen was a celebrated chaser on gold,

especially on the watch cases with emblematical figures in relief much in vogue about the middle of the century jewellery, etc. He wrote some works on the goldsmith's art and on painting. He was the founder of the Academy of Painters in 1768, of which Sir Joshua Reynolds was the first president. His daughter Mary, born 1744, was also an artist.

Nicholas Sfrimont, of Compton Street, Soho, entered his 1742. He at Goldsm.iths' Hall as plateworker in January, 1742. carried the modelling of shells, coral, insects, shell fish and rockwork to great perfection in silver. specimen of his plate, viz., a

name

A

pair of oval dishes, eleven inches in diameter by nine inches, beautifully modelled in this manner, is preserved in the Royal Collection The same character of work was modat Windsor made in 1743. elled by his contemporary Paul Crespin, of Compton Street. Sprimont is also celebrated as being the founder of the Chelsea porcelain factory in 1750, under the patronage of the Duke of Cumberland and Sir Edward Fawkener, of which, in 1755, he became sole proprietor. The same taste was carried out by him in porcelain in the well-known centrepieces of Chelsea china of the early period of its existence. He was the writer of the memorial found in the Lansdown MSS. without name or date, neither of which have until now been discovered. He styles himself "undertaker of the Chelsea manufacture of porcelain, a silversmith by profession, in which one hundred persons are employed, and a nursery of thirty lads from the parishes and charity schools who are bred to designing and painting." Porcelain,"

(Chaffers's

page

915.)

"Marks and Monograms on Pottery and


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

58

A

Sir William Benn, goldsmith, mayor 1747. painting 1747. with his portrait and other members of the Goldsmiths' Company, hangs in the ballroom at the Hall. This picture by Hudson represents six members of a jovial society called "Benn's Club." He was a staunch old Jacobite, and induced the party to go to his house in

the Isle of Wight, and drink success to Prince Charlie. His portrait also hangs in Bridewell Hospital, of which he was president in 1746. 1750. [o/in Blackford, goldsmith, mayor in 1750. His portrait in the same group of members of Benn's Club previously menIn 1755, in a trial of the Pyx, "a jury of freemen of the tioned. is

Goldsmiths' Company, of which Alderman Blachford was foreman, met at Goldsmiths' Hall to make an assay, or trial of the pix or standard of the coin of the realm, coined between 1750 and that year, and went to the Lord Chancellor at Whitehall, to make their report," etc.

"

"

other members of Benn's Club whose portraits are in the same group, are Sir Henry Marshall, mayor, 1745. Sir Robert Alsop, mayor, 1752. Sir Edward Ironside, mayor, 1753. Sir Thomas Rawlinson, mayor, 1754. Sir Richard Glyn, baronet and banker, lord mayor, was 1755. of Bridewell Hospital in 1755, his portrait hangs in that president

The

:

Hall. " a gentleman of the most amiable Sir Francis Gosling, knight, character in public and private life. He was elected alderman in 1756, and served the office of sheriff in 1758, having twice declined that of lord mayor on account of ill health. He died December 23, 1768,

and was succeeded

as

alderman of Farringdon Without by

John Wilkes, Esq." (Hughson.) It was probably about 1780 when the Goslings took the house in Fleet Street with the sign of the "Three Squirrels," where it still remains over the centre window, and where they still flourish at the same house. In 1796 the firm was Francis Gosling, William Gosling and Benjamin Sharpe, and it is still styled "Goslings and Sharpe."

The

original sign, in solid silver, is preserved, and can be seen in the front shop it is about two feet high, made to lock and unlock, and was discovered in the house in 1858, having probably been taken down on the general removal of street signs, and forgotten. This house in Fleet Street is stated to have belonged to Henry Pinckney, a goldsmith, about the year 1650. Boyne mentions a farthing token " issued by him at the Three Squirrels," over against St. Dunstan's ;

Church

in 1650.

(See Pinckney.) of Backwell rose again, in partnership with Darel, Hart and Croft, who, with great reputation, opened their shop in Pall Mall. (Hughson.) Thomas Harache, one of the successors of Pierre Har1758. ache, obtained the distinction of royal goldsmith, dwelling in Pall Mall. His name is not found in the Goldsmiths' books the second volume of makers' marks, which is said to contain the names from 1756.

The name

:


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

59

1739 to 1769, actually finishes in 1757, and no subsequent entries occur at the Hall until 1773, leaving a hiatus of sixteen years. In that year a committee of the House of Commons was instituted to inquire into the various Acts of Parliament which regulated the goldsmiths' trade. The committee required the names and places of abode of all the goldsmiths and plateworkers then living who had entered their names and marks in the Assay Office. This list was published, but, unfortunately, the original volume was never returned to Goldsmiths' Hall, or has been mislaid. This list reveals " the name of Thomas Harache, goldsmith, Pall Mall." The first time we have met with his mark on plate is in 1758, in which year it was doubtless entered at the Hall in the volume now missing. He arrived at the same distinction for the production of artistic plate as his predecessors. Robert Makepeace, goldsmith, first entered his name as 1777. plate-worker in partnership with Richard Carter in 1777. In 1794 he was in partnership with Thomas Makepeace, in Serle Street, LinHe died 1801, coln's Inn, and alone at the same house in 1795. leaving in money to the Goldsmiths' Company ;^I77 us. od. (consols). 1780.

Sir Henry Raeburn, R.A. Born at Edinburgh in 1756, he was apprenticed to a goldsmith in that city. He afterwards took to miniature painting, and succeeded so well that he abandoned his

trade and became a portrait painter, subsequently practising in oil upon" the life size. He died in 1823. Garrards." This old-established firm of goldsmiths and plate-workers, appears for more than a century and a half to have

been favoured with Royal patronage, and through successive proprietors has deservedly retained celebrity in the production of of the goldsmiths' art. The original founder, of Threadneedle Street, was George I's goldsmith, Wickes, George and his mark bore the distinctive badge of the plume of feathers, " Goldsmith to the Prince of Wales," afterwards being designated George II. In 1735 the firm was removed to Panton Street, the corner of the Haymarket, where it still flourishes. A chronological list of the names of proprietors, with dates of entry at the Goldchoice examples

smiths' Hall, will suffice in this section. 1

72 1, February

1735,

June

30.

George Wickes, Threadneedle Street. George Wickes or Weekes, removed to Panton

3.

Street.

1739, July 6. George Weekes, Panton Street. Edward Wakelin, Panton Street. 1747, November 17. 1759. John Parker and Edward Wakelin, Panton Street. 1776, September 25. John Wakelin and William Taylor,

Pan-

ton Street. 1792. October 20.

John Wakelin and Robert Garrard, Panton

Street.

Robert Garrard, Panton Street. 1802, August II. 1 81 8, April 18. R. J. and S. Garrard, Panton Street. 1

82 1, July

17.

Robert Garrard, Panton

Street.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

(X)

Riindell and Bridge, Royal Goldsmiths, Ludgate Hill. 1780. This celebrated firm appears to have been established about 1780. They were not actual plate-workers themselves, but some of the partners, whose names did not prominently appear, had shares only in the manufacturing department, the sale shop in Ludgate Hill being a distinct branch of the busmess. Mr. Paul Storr, in giving "I am a partner the firm evidence at the Sessions in 181 1, says of the manufactory in Dean Street. The partners are Paul Storr, Philip Rundell, Jno. Bridge, Edmund Waller Rundell and William Theed." ] ohn Bridge, from about 1780 to 1790 stamped his name on From 1792 to about 1820 Paid Storr their plate as actual maker.

m

:

was

their chief plate-worker Avith a share in that department during his time the most important pieces of plate were made. They engaged the services of several distinguished artists. Among other a salver, chased with the Banquet pieces of plate at Windsor are of the Gods; a vase with classical design by Flaxman; and a salver ;

:

with the Triumph of Ariadne by Stothard, made to the order of George, Prince of Wales. The goldsmith's busmess in Ludgate Hill was discontinued about 1840. Sir Richard Carr Glyn, Baronet and Alderman, was also 1798. President of Bridewell Hospital in 1798, where his portrait hangs. Arthur orboyes, goldsmith and jeweller in Fleet Street 1787. near Bride Lane. On July 21, 1787, a dreadful fire broke out at his house, in which he was, unhappily, burnt to death. His name occurs in the list of 1773, residing in Wine Office Court, Fleet Street. In an inquiry made by the Committee of the House of Commons, in 1773, 3.S to "the names and trades of the Wardens and Assayers of the Goldsmiths' Company, London, and when, at what times, and by whom they were respectively elected," the answer put in was as

W

follows.

March

8, 1773 Peter Floyer, Esq., refiner. Love Lane, Prime Warden. Samuel Smith, Esq., banker, \ Mr. Thomas Parr, goldsmith, Wardens. [ Mr. Matthew Perchard, goldsmith, j Fendall Rushforth, plate-worker, Assayers. Richard Hughes, plate-worker. ) Successors to Alderman Richardson. ")

The Wardens were elected at a Court of Assistants hoi den at Goldsmiths' Hall, May 13, 1772, by the following Wardens and Assistants of the Company then and there present, to wit Mr.

Thomas Whipham,

John Wickenden, Esq., Samuel Smith, Esq.,

Thomas Parr, Thomas Hallifax. Mr.

John Bird,

Esq.,

Wardens. f

Esq., Alderman. Alderman.


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

6i

Francis Flower, Esq. Mr. Sandilands Drinkwater. Mr. Samuel Wood. Mr. John Payne. Peter Floyer, Esq. Mr. Edward Cooke. Mr Matthew Perchard. Mr. Henry Boldero. Mr. Arthur Sadler. Mr. Thomas Thorne. Mr. Joseph Rose. Mr. Wade Holton. Mr. John White. Mr. George Cooper. Mr. Robert Thorne. Storr and Mortimer, succeeded by Hunt and Roskell. These well-known goldsmiths and jewellers of Bond Street have received the share of Royal and aristocratic patronage they so well deserved, and still retain the distinction of being one of the leading firms in Their origin may be said to have commenced witli the metropolis. the celebrated plate-worker, Paul Storr, partner in the manufacturing department of Messrs. Rundell and Bridge from 1792 down to 1820. He first entered his name at Goldsmiths' Hall in 1792, then living In 1796 he removed to Air Street, Piccain Church Street, Soho.

In Kent's Directory for dilly, and in 1807 to Dean Street, Soho 1 8 19 he was still located there, styled "Storr and Co." In 1 82 1 Mr. Paul Storr went into partnership with Mr. John Mortimer (who had been established for many years in partnership "

with Mr. Gray), the firm being styled Storr and Mortimer," with which Mr. John Samuel Hunt, Mr. Storr's nephew, was subsequently associated.

On the retirement of Mr. Storr, in 1839, the firm was John Mortimer and John Samuel Hunt, with his son, John Hunt, as junior " partner styled Mortimer and Hunt." Mr. Mortimer retired in 1842, when John Samuel Hunt, and his son, John Hunt, entered into partnership with Mr. Robert Roskell, " the firm being styled Hunt and Roskell," which title is still retained.. Mr. John Samuel Hunt died in 1865, and Mr. John Hunt in It is now conducted by the surviving partners, Robert Ros1879. his son, Allan Roskell, and the son of John Hunt, viz., John kell, Mortimer Hunt. Various marks entered at Goldsiniths^ Hall.

PS PS IM ISH

Paul Storr, for Rundell and Bridge. 1792 to 1821. Paul Storr and John Mortimer. 1821 to 1839. Crowned. John Mortimer and John Samuel Hunt, and his son, John Hunt. 1839 to 1842.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

62

ISH

Crowned.

John Samuel Hunt and

to 1865.

TH T10

RR A-D

The former

his son, retired in 1863.

John Hunt.

1842

Crowned.

John LIunt and Robert Roskell.

Crowned.

Robert Roskell, Allan Roskell, and John Mor-

1865 to 1882.

timer Hunt.

TMH

Messrs. Lmnbert, Coventry Street. The founder of this business was Francis Lambert, son of an army accoutrement maker in the Strand; born 1778. He was apprenticed to Wesley, a silversmith in the Strand. Leaving Wesley, he entered the service of Mr. Clark, of Exeter Change, who dealt in cutlery, bronzes, clocks, watches, jewellery and silver goods. Thomas Hamlet, the natural son of Sir Francis Dashwood (ob. 1781) was also an assistant.

About 1800, Hamlet took a shop on his own account, together with Lambert, in St. Martin's Court (where Prout, the comb-maker, Here they sold jewellery, second-hand plate, afterwards lived). fishing-tackle, etc.

Hamlet subsequently opened a silversmith's and jeweller's shop Sydney Alley, facing Coventry Street, with a promise to take Lambert in as a partner, which was never fulfilled. Lambert left on account of ill-health, and went to Lisbon, where he opened a sort of bazaar, which was not successful he then returned to England, and opened a shop for the sale of jewellery, and was also a manufacturer of silver plate, at Nos. ir and 12, Coventry William Rawlings, who had lived with Hamlet, was Street, in 1803. taken as his manager, with a share of the pro fits, and the style of tlie " firm became Lambert and Rawlings." Mr. Lambert manufactured all silver goods, except spoons and forks; his foreman, John Wrangham, and his assistant, William Moulson, entering their names at at the corner of

;

Goldsmiths' Hall

y^^^ After the death of the former, about 1835, the initials were used. Mr. Lambert died in 1841, and was succeeded by his youngest son, George, who took up his freedom in 1 849, and entered his name

WM

GL

at the Hall, using the monogram (the L traversed by a small G). He manufactured his choicest goods, as a rule, in fine or Brttannia silver, following the most approved forms of English plate of the time of William HI and Queen Anne, in flagons, tankards and goblets, not disdaining, however, to follow occasionally the later style of the Adams period of decorative art. His collection of old Eng-

lish plate

To

was very

revert

to

extensive. W. Rawlings died in 1862. Thomas Hamlet, who was patronised by

the He had an extensive connection, and carried nobility and gentry. on the business successfully for forty years; but in consequence of his speculations in pearl fisheries at Bussorah the building of the Princess's Theatre, which proved a failure and other ruinous ad-


ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS.

63

ventures, he became bankrupt in 1842, and his stock was sold by He was at last a pensioner at the Charterhouse, and died auction. there about the year 1 849. 1806. Feter Per chard bequeathed to the Company ^^^250 stock for the use of the poor.

George Hall, probably a goldsmith, but we cannot trace in the books, bequeathed to the Company a munificent donation of 1,000 (consols) for charitable purposes. 1 Rachel Farmer, of Jewin Street, bequeathed to the Gold813. smiths' Company the liberal donation of i^ 1,000 stock for charitable 1808.

his

name

purposes. Messrs. Hancock, goldsmiths and jewellers, Bond Street (corner of Bruton Street). Established in 1849 by C. F. Hancock, who having partly retired in 1866, the firm was styled Hancock, Son and Co. Mr. Hancock retired entirely in 1870, the style being Hancocks and Co., at present. The actual partners were Messrs. Maxtin HanThe mark adopted cock, Horatio Stewart and Henry John Dore. with a crown by them as a plate-mark consists of the letters C F above. The manufactory is in Little Bruton Street.

H

This well-known firm was established for the manufacture and and jewellery of a superior class, and is extensively patronised by the nobility and gentry, being noted for the taste and Artists of celebrity are engaged as quality of its productions. modellers of groups and designs for surtouts de table and the dressale of plate

presentation pieces, racing prizes for Epsom and Ascot, etc. the modellers may be noted especially H. H. Armstead, R.A. C. B. Birch, A.R. A. Signer Raffaele Monti Eugene Lauri and

soir,

Among ;

Marshall Wood.

;

;


m^

JKarks on Plate AND

TAXATION OF GOLD AND SILVER GOODS, ORDER OF DATE.

IN

ftam

tlji

ETC.

f tuilftlj

to

^iamtM}

t}je

dnxhxvv.

The Statutes now in force relating to the Duties and to the Hall-marking of gold and silver plate are verj* numerous. There are certainly not less than twenty-five different Statutes which are more or less in force, and it seems most desirable that they should be consolidated into one Act of Parliament. The Parliamentary Committee of 1856 strongly recommended that the law should be consolidated, but the suggestion was not carried out. In the following table those which are not repealed are marked n.r.

TABLE OF STATUTES AND ORDINANCES. REFERRED TO IN THIS BOOK. 1 1

80.

Goldsmith's

26 Henry II

Company

amerced

for being adulterine. 1238. 22

Henry

III, close rolls

m. Assay of Gold and Silver.

6 1300. 28 Edward I, Stat. 1327. I Edward III

3, c.

20 Leopard's head. Assay. First Charter to Goldsmith's

Com-

pany. 1335.

9

Edward

III, Stat.

2,

c.

2

Stirling Silver not to be carried out of England, or molton to

make

vessels.

2. Leopard's head crowned. Owners' or goldsmiths' mark. 3. Assayer's mark, or variable date letter. Assay: marks. I.

1336.

Ordinance of the Goldsmiths'

1363. 37 1369. 43

Edward Edward rolls,

Company III,

c.

7

III,

m. 35

closej

^^

J 64

^ ^^ ^^^ Goldsmiths' trade,


TABLE OF STATUTES AND ORDINANCES. 1379. 2

Richard

Rolls of Par-

II,

65

Goldsmith's, "his own proper mark." 2. "Mark of the city or

i.

liament

borough." 3. Assayer's mark, appointed by the King." Exports forbidden. Second Charter to Goldsmith's "

1

38 1.

5

Richard

2

II, c.

16 Richard II

1392.

Company. 1402. 4 1403. 5

Henry IV, c. 16 Henry IV, c. 4

Exports again forbidden. Multiplication of gold or

silver

prohibited. 1403. 5

Henry IV,

1414. 2

Henry V,

c.

Gilding and plating inferior met-

13

als prohibited. c.

4

the

Regulating

prices

of

gold,

silver, etc.

1420. 8

Henry V,

1423. 2

Henry VI,

c.

gilding Gilding inferiors metals prohibi-

3

ted. c.

standard of offices, " Touch of the gold and silver. and "mark or head," Leopard's touch of the workman." Exports forbidden. Appoints deacons, marks. Another Charter to Goldsmiths' Provincial

14

U

1432. Henry VI, c. 14 1457. James II (Scots) 1462. 2 Edward IV

Company. 1473. 1477.

III (Scots) 17 Edward IV, Stat,

James

1483. James III (Scots) 1487. 4 Henry VII, Pari.

i, c.

3, c.

2

i

...

Places appointed to mark gold. "Leopard's head crowned," and "Mark of the Worker." Standard of 18 carats. Marks on Goldsmiths' work. Sale reRelates to the Assays. stricted.

Henry VII Mary (Scots)

1504. 20

Charter to Goldsmiths' Company. Standard and marks. Standard of gold and silver and marks 22 carat revived.

1555. 1573. 15 Elizabeth

:

1576.

18 Elizabeth,

c.

i.

15

"The goldsmith "

thereon."

2.

to set his mark the leo-

Touch of

head crowned," and marked by the wardens." Search for inferior gold and silpard's "

1586.

James VI (Scots)

ver.

1597. Goldsmiths'

Company

lion, leopard's head, and alphabetical mark. Charter to the Dublin Goldsmiths'

Re- Marks:

cords 1638. Charles I (Irish) 1675. Goldsmiths' 1687.

Company. Marks of the

Order

James VII (Scots)

1696. 7

and

8

William

III,

c.

19

...

lion

and leopard's

head. Charter to the Edinburgh Goldsmiths' Hall. Exports forbidden.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

66

and 9 William

1696. 8

III, c.

8

...

New

standard of silver of 11 Hall marks. N.R.

10 dwt.

and 10 William HI, and 10 William HI,

1698. 9 1698. 9

c.

c.

700- 1. 12 and 13 William III, 4 1 70 1. I Anne, Stat, i, c. 9 1719. 6 George I, c. 11, s. i, 2, 1

28 Exports permitted. 39 Concerning gold c.

thread. Provincial

reappointed.

Newcastle Act. N.R. silver standard of

11

oz.

2

revived.

Duty imposed. The lion, leopard's head, mamark and date mark. ker's Both old and new standards allowed by

George

silver

N.R.

Old

dwt.

41

1729. 3

and

offices

Assays, marks. 3,

oz.

:

II (Irish),

c.

3,

s.

this Act.

N.R.

Ireland: Standards.

N.R.

32 1739.

12

George

George 1756. 29 George 1742.

15

II, c.

of gold and silver. " makers' marks. The initials of his christian and surname." N.R.

Standards

26

New

II,

c.

II, c.

20

'

Silver wire.

Annual duty

14

for every 100

5s.

oz.

1757. 1758. 17731784.

George

II,

c.

32

32 George

II,

c.

24

31 13

George

24 George

III,

c.

Licence in lieu of duty. Licence duty increased.

52

III, Sess. 2,

c.

53

Birmingham and

Sheffield.

Plated

Duty

goods:

and exemptions. mark.

King's

Head

Drawback. Watch cases. gold at 8s., silver is. RE-

64 90

Duty.

III, c. c.

24

III, c.

69

Duty on watch cases. REPEALED. Gold standard lowered to 18 Mark a crown and 18. carat.

c.

69

Licences.

98

Repealed. Duty i6s. on gold, ver. Repealed.

George George

III,

George 1798. 38 George

III,

1785. 25 1797. 37

N.R.

increased

c.

Duty

PEALED. 1798. 38

N.R.

1803. 43

George

III,

c.

1803. 44

George

III,

1807. 47 18 1 2. 52 18 1 5. 55

George George George

III, Sess. 2, c. 15

Ireland.

III, c.

Duty.

III,

c.

59 185

Drawback is.

3d.

plate.

on

sil-

N.R.

Drawback. N.R. Duty^i7s. on gold and is. 6d. on silver. Repealed as regards silver plate 1890.

1

8 19. 59 George III, c. 28 1820. I George IV, c. 14

Glasgow. N.R. Duty. Drawback.

George IV, c. 52 1825. 6 George IV, c. 118 1836. 6 William IV, c. 69

Birmingham

1824. 5

on

Act.

Irish.

Scotland.

N.R.

N.R. N.R.


TABLE OF STATUTES AND ORDINANCES. 1842. 5

and 6

Victoria,

c.

8 Victoria,

c.

56

and

1844. 7

67

47 and Foreign plate to be assayed and stamped. N.R. 22 Criminal Law Consolidation Act,

mark on 22 carat Mark a crown and 22 in-

distinctive

gold. stead of the lion passant. 17

and and

13 Victoria 18 Victoria,

18

and

19 Victoria,

1849.

12

1854.

1855.

Duty. c.

96...

Reduced standards of gold 15, 12 and 9 carats. Mark 15.625 12.5 9-375, without crown or King's head.

c.

60

...

1856

and 30 Victoria, and 31 Victoria, and 34 Victoria and 40 Victoria,

1866. 29 1867. 30 1870. 33 1876. 39

c. c.

c.

64 90

...

36

..

...

.

N.R.

N.R.

Wedding

N.R. N.R.

rings.

Parliamentary Commission Report on Gold and Silver Wares. Duty. Drawback. N.R.

Duty. N.R. Licence and watch cases. N.R. Counterfeit. English marks on

1876 and 1878

foreign plate, and letter oval escutcheon. Notices by the Goldsmiths'

1878

pany. Parliamentary

1879

Parliamentary

F

in

Com-

Commission

Re-

Commission

Re-

port. port.

1883. 46

and 47

1890. 53

and 54

Victoria,

c.

55

...

8

...

Assay and marking of imported REgold and silver plate. PEALED.

Victoria,

c.

The duty of

is.

6d. per ounce on and the

silver plate abolished,

stamp of the Queen's head, duty mark, discontinued. N.R. Parliamentary Commission Report. 4 volumes. Sheffield authorised to assay gold

1897 1903. 3

Edward

VII,

1904. 4

Edward

VII, 6

c.

255

ware.

Foreign

silver to

be marked as or-

dered.

1904 October 24, Order in Coun- Determining marks. oil

1906

May

II

Order

in Council

...

Determining marks.


0):tracts

from Statutes,

rlitranrts, ttc,

REGULATING THE

MANUFACTURE AND STAMPING OF PLATE

IN

ENGLAND. WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES. A.D.

1 1

26

80.

Henry

A

II.

fraternity or Guild of Goldsmiths Charter of Incornamed the Com-

in existence at this early period, although no poration had been granted ; for in the year above

was

pany was, amongst other guilds, amerced for being adulterine, i.e., up without the King's licence. The leopard's head, taken from their arms, was probably used by them to denote the proper standard,

set

charter it is spoken of as being anciently ordained. manIn the Close Rolls of 22 HENRY III. M. 6. " date was issued entitled De auro f abricando in Civitate Londoniarum." This recited that in consequence of the frauds which had been practised by the gold and silver smiths, it became necessary to prescribe some regulations for their trade, because the mixing too much alloy in the composition of these wares naturally tended to encourage the melting down of coin of the realm. It was therefore ordained that no one should use any gold of which the mark was not worth one hundred shillings at the least, nor any silver worse than the standard of the coins ("quod non valeat in se, quantum valeat for in their

first

A

A.D. 1238.

moneta Regis").

STANDARDS LEOPARD'S HEAD. :

The assaying of the precious metals was a privilege conferred upon the Goldsmiths' Company of London by the following statute

:

28

Edward

3., c. 20, commonly called Artiatli That no Gold/mith of England, nor none otherwhere within the King's Dominion, /hall from hence-

A.D.

1300

super cartas.

"

It

is

I,

stat.

ordained

:


STANDARDS LEOPARD'S HEAD.

69

:

forth make, or cau/e to be made, any Manner of Ve//el, Jewel, or any other Thing of Gold or Silver, except it be of good and true Allay, that is to say, Gold of a certain Touch, and Silver of the

Sterling Allay, or of better, at the Plea/ure of him to whom the belongeth [argent del alay de e/terling ou de meilur], and that none work wor/e Silver than Money, (2) And that no Manner of

Work

Ve//el of Silver depart out of the Hands of the Workers, until it be e//ayed by the Wardens of the Craft; and further, that it he marked with the Leopard's head [e qe ele /oit signee de une te/te de leopart]; (3) and that they work no wor/e Gold than of the Touch of Paris [tuche de Parys]. (4) And that the Wardens of the Craft shall to Shop among the Gold/miths, to e//ay, if their Gold be of the /ame Touch that is /poken of before; (5) and if they find any other than of the Touch afore/aid, the Gold /hall be forfeit to the King*: (And that none shall make Rings, Cro//es, nor Locks); (6) and that none /hall /et any Stone in Gold except it be natural. (7) And that Gravers or Cutters of Stones, and of Seals, /hall give to each their Weight of Silver and Gold (as near as they can) upon their Fidelity, (8) and the Jewels of ba/e Gold which they have in

go from Shop

Hands, they /hall utter as fa/t as they can, (9) and from thenceforth, if they buy any of the /ame Work, they /hall buy it to work upon, and not to /ell again, (10) and that all the good Towns of England where any Gold/mith be dwelling, /hall be ordered according to this E/tatute as they of London be, (11) and that one /hall come from every good Town for all the Re/idue that be dwelling in the /ame, unto London for to be a/certained of their Touch. (12) And if any Gold/mith be attainted hereafter, becau/e that he has done otherwi/e than before is ordained, he /hall be puni/hed by Impri/onment, and by Ran/om at the King's Plea/ure, (13) And notwith/tanding all the/e Things before-mentioned, or any Point of them, both the King and his Council, and all they that were pre/ent at the making of this Ordinance, will and intend that the Right and Prerogative of his Crown /hall be /aved to him in all Things."t Repealed. their

The toitch of Paris was referred to in this statute, because there were no English gold coins which could be made a standard for the goldsmiths' work. The French coins of that time were of fine gold. The touch of Paris therefore was as celebrated over Europe as the sterling of England. This statute

is

prior to the first charter granted to the Gold-

Company, and shows that the company was then a corporation, and that all plate then made in the Knig's dominions was assayed by them.

smiths'

*

t

The portion between brackets repealed 21 Jac.

"The

Statutes at Large," by

Owen Ruffhead,

c.

28.

1763, Vol.

I,

page 146.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

70

GOLDSMITHS' CHARTER. Edward

The

first Charter was granted by Letters "the Wardens and Commonalty of the of the City of London." It is quoted at Mystery of Goldsmiths " length in Herbert's History of the London Livery Companies," both in French and English. The following are the principal provisions of this Charter That the Goldsmiths had by their petition exhibited to the King and Council in Parliament hoi den at Westminster shown that theretofore no private merchants or strangers were wont to bring into this land any money coined, but plate and silver to exchange for our coin that it had been ordained that all of the trade of Goldsmiths were to sit in their shops in the High Street of Cheap, and that no silver or gold plate ought to be sold in the City of London except in the King's Exchange or in Cheap, among the Goldsmiths, and that publicly, to the end that persons in the trade might inform themselves whether the seller came lawfully by it; but that of late both private merchants and strangers bring from foreign lands counterfeit sterling whereof the pound is not worth sixteen sols of the right sterling, and of this money none can know the right value but by melting it down; and that many of the trade of Goldsmiths do keep shops in obscure streets, and do buy vessels of gold and silver secretly without inquiring whether such vessels were stolen or come lawfully by, and immediately melting them down, make them into plate, and sell it to merchants trading beyond the sea, and so make false work of gold, silver and jewels, in which they set glass of divers colours, counterfeiting right stones, and Dut more alloy in their silver than they ought, which they sell to such as have no skill in such things that the cutlers cover tin with silver so subtilely and with such sleight that the same cannot be discerned nor separated,

1327.

Patent from

I

IH.

Edward HI

to

:

;

;

and so sell the tin for fine silver; to the great damage and deceit of the King and his people The King, with the assent of the lords spiritual and temporal and the commons of the realm, willed and granted for him and his heirs that henceforth no one shall bring into this land any sort of money but only plate of fine silver, and that no plate of gold or silver be sold to sell again, or be carried out of the kingdom, but shall be sold openly for private use That none of the trade shall keep any shop except in Cheap, that it may be seen that their work be good that those of the trade may by virtue of these presents elect honest and sufficient men, best skilled in the trade, to inquire of the matters aforesaid, and that those who are so chosen reform what defects they shall find, and inflict punishment on the offenders, and that by the help of the mayor and sheriffs, if need be; that in all trading cities in England, where Goldsmiths reside, the same ordinance be observed as in London, and that one or two of every such city or town for the rest of the trade shall come to London to be ascertained of their touch of gold, and to have their works marked with the -puncheon of the leopard's head as it was anciently ordained. :

:

:


THE GOLDSMITHS' ORDINANCES.

71

Edward

III, Stat 2, C. 2. By the statute of Fir/t it is provided that from henceforth other, /hall carry any Sterling- out of England, nor Silver in Plate, nor Wej foi of Gold, nor of Silver, upon Pain of Forfeiture of the Money, Plate, or Ve//el that he /hall so " carry, without our e/pecial Licence." Item, That no Stirling Halfpeny nor Farthing be molten for to make Ve//el, or any other Thing by Gold/miths, nor other, upon Forfeiture of the Money /o molton (2) and that the Gold/mith, or other, which hath /o molton /uch Money, /hall be committed to Pri/on there to remain till he hath yielded unto us the one half of that that he hath so molton, notwith/tanding any Charter or Franchi/e granted or u/ed to the contrary."*

A.D.

1335.

9

was ordered money, no Religious Man, nor ]t

"

:

;

Repealed.

THE GOLDSMITHS' ORDINANCES. The Company's Ordinance of the year 1336 enjoin, that none do work gold unless it be as good as the assay of the mystery, or in silver, unless as good or better than the King's coin or sterling, and that when done it shall be brought to the Hall to be assayed, and that such as will bear the touch shall be marked "with the owners and sayers marks, and afterwards be touched with the Liberdshede crowned." It will be observed here that three distinct marks are spoken of (i) the goldsmith's mark, viz., his initials; (2) the assay mark, probably a letter of the alphabet; and (3) the mark of the Goldsmiths' Hall, a leopard's head crowned. The earliest records of the Goldsmiths' Company commence in 1334, with the Wardens' Accounts and Court Minutes; and these books are continued in an almost unbroken sequence until 1636, when the records of the Court of Assistants begin. The following notes are taken by the kind permission of Sir Walter S. Prideaux, from his "Memorials of the Goldsmiths' Company." In these minutes the following information is generally given :

The The The The The

names of the wardens for the year. payments given to the increase. names of the Poor of the Mystery. names of the Apprentices. Amerciaments for bad practices.

Amongst

the most

common

frauds in the fourteenth century was with glass, and silver by adding lead or

debasing gold by mixing sand; and gilding and silvering latten and brass vessels and passing them off as pure silver false stones also were set in gold and real stones in copper or latten gilt. Amerciaments surely followed these practices whenever they were detected; and frequently the it

fine

;

offender

was adjudged *

"The

to the pillory.

Statutes at Large," Vol.

I,

page 216.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

72

In 1359 one of the members of the fellowship was found guilty of mals outrages, and he was adjudged to forfeit his livery. He prayed mercy of the company, and offered them ten tons of wine; and he was forgiven on paying for a pipe of wine, and twelvepence a week for one year to a poor man of the company. It seems to have been a usual practice at this time for defaulters to make their peace with the company by presenting them with a pipe of wine; or sometimes with a dinner.

ASSAY MARKS. A.D. 1363. 37 Edward III, c. 7. Item, it is ordered that goldsmiths as well in London as elsewhere within the realm, shall make all manner of vessels and other works of silver, well and lawfully of the allay of good sterling; and every master goldsmith shall have a mark by himself, and the same mark shall be known by them who shall be assigned by the King to survey their work and allay; and that the said goldsmiths set not their marks upon their works, till the said surveyors have made their assay, as shall be ordained by the

king and his council and after the assay made, the surveyor shall mark, and after the goldsmith his mark, for which he will answer; and that no goldsmith take for vessel white and full for :

set the king's

the weight of a pound (that is to say) of the price of two marks of Paris weight, but eighteen pence as they do in Paris ;* [and that no goldsmith making white vessel shall meddle with gilding, nor they that do gild shall meddle to make white vessel:] and they which shall be so assigned in every town shall make their searches as oftentimes as shall be ordained and for that which shall be in the goldsmiths' default they shall incur the pain of forfeiture to the King, the value of the metal which shall be found in default.! Repealed. In 1370 the first recorded ordinances are entered in the minutes, and the statutes are sworn to by the good men, and also entered in full. These statutes give minute direction, not only as to the manner of the assay as to workings of ouches, buckles, and what not as to the apprentices but also as to praying for the souls of the departed members of the brotherhood. In Riley's "Memorials of London" we also find that several charges were brought before the notice of the mayors and aldermen of London for counterfeiting silver cufpebonds of mazer or wooden cups and bowls. These mazers were usually mounted with silver circlets which ran round the foot and mouth of the vessel connected bands which enclosed the bowl. by vertical " In 1372, Thomas Lauleye, contriving to deceive the common people, had circlets of latone gilded, and with them bound divers cups, which he afterwards sold and exposed others for sale, as well in the ;

;

;

;

*

The clause

in brackets relating to gilding

t This Act is printed in Vol. I, page 315.

Norman-French,

was repealed 21 Jac.

in

"The

18.

Statutes at Large,"


MARKS APPOINTED.

73

citye as without, asserting that the same circlets were made of silver And in like manner for that he had gilt and paid for accordingly.

pledged two cups so bound with circlets of gilded latoune to one William de Stoke, taiUour, for xxxij. shillings, asserting that the same were of silver gilt. He was sentenced to stand in the pillory on several days with the cups hung round his neck. "In 1376, one Peter Randolfe, a lattener, was charged with exposing for sale two circlets for mazers which were of mixed silver, and not good or pure, in deceit of the people." He was let off mildly, however, on promising not to interfere again with the Goldsmiths' trade.

"In 1376, Edward Bor was attached to make answer to the for that he silvered 240 buttons of latone and

mayor and aldermen

thirty-four circlets of latone for purses called gibesers (gipsieres)

and had maliciously purposed and imagined to sell the same for pure silver in deceit of the people; whereupon he said that he, Michael Hakeneye, had given him the said buttons and circlets to silver." Both were committed to prison in Newgate, the former for one week, the latter for three weeks.* The laws which regulated the goldsmiths' trade were rigorously enforced, and we read (43 Edw. Ill, close rolls, m. 35) that William de Mulsho and John de Newenham, in 1369, were commanded to examine by the touch, or by other methods, certain vessels of silver and belts of gold which William de Montacute, Earl of Salisbury, had caused to be made by goldsmiths of London of less fineness than the ordinance required, and to report the assay to the king in chancery.

MARKS APPOINTED. 2 Richard II, Rolls of Parliament, No. 30. A.D. 1379. It was enacted by Parliament that whereas the gold and silver worked by English goldsmiths was oftentimes less hne than it ought to be, because the goldsmiths were their own assay ers, from that time every goldsmith should have his own proper mark upon his work, and that the assay of touch should belong to the mayors and governors of cities and boroughs, with the assistance of the Master of the Mint, if there should be occasion; and that the work should bear the mark of the city or borough where it was assayed. And also that the king should assign such persons as be should please to make the said assay, as well in London as elsewhere, as often as should be necessary; and- after the assay should be made to stamp the work with another mark, to be appointed by the king. And it was agreed that the ordinance should commence from the said feast of St. John, and continue until the next Parliament, to try whether it would be advantageous or not. Repealed. *

Memorials of the Goldsmiths' Company.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

74

EXPORTS FORBIDDEN. A.D.

silver in

1

381.

5

Richard

any shape

plate et joialx

").*

The export of gold and i, c. 2 or et argent si bien monoie vessell

II, Stat,

forbidden REPEALED.

is

("

GOLDSMITHS'

CHARTER.

Richard

II. Another charter to the Goldsmiths' date Company bearing February 6 of this year, granted and gave licence to the men of the said craft of goldsmiths of the City of London to be a perpetual community or society of themselves, and elect yearly out of themselves four wardens to oversee, rule and duly govern the said craft and community, and every member of the same. A.D. 1402. 4 Henry IV, c. 16. This statute further forbids any to person carry gold or silver in money, vessel or plate out of the kingdom without the especial licence of the king.t Repealed.

16

A.D. 1392.

A.D. 1403. Item, it was ordained and estab5 Henry IV, c. 4. lished that no person should use the craft of the multiplication of gold or silver, and if they did so they should be guilty of felony. Repealed.:}:

GILDING INFERIOR METALS PROHIBITED. Recites, That many fraudulent 5 Henry IV, c. 13. do daily make locks, rings, candlesticks, etc., of copper and latten, and the same do overgild and silver like to gold and silver, to the great deceit, loss and hindrance of the common people, and the wasting of gold and silver; and ordains. That no artificer, nor other man, shall gild nor silver any such locks, rings, beads, candlestick, A.D.

1403.

artificers

harness for girdles (buckles), chalices, hilts nor pommels of swords, powder boxes, nor covers for cups, made of copper or latten, upon pain to forfeit to the king one hundred shillings every time, and to make satisfaction to the party grieved for his damages; but that (chalices always excepted) the said artificers may work ornaments for the Church of copper and latten, and the same gild or silver, so that always in the foot or some other part of such ornament the copper and latten shall be plain, that a man may see whereof the thing is

made, for to eschew the deceit aforesaid. *

REPEALED.

"The Statutes at Large," Vol. I, page 349. t This Act is printed in Norman-French in "The Statutes at Large," VoL I, page 451. " The Statutes at t Large," Vol. I, page 457. Louis XI, King of France, in an ordinance to the goldsmiths of Tours, January, 1470, authorises them to employ only for ecclesiastical utensils, such as reliquaries, etc., gold and silver of base alloy, which pieces were to be inscribed " non venundetur," to certify that they were not destined for com" The Statutes merce. at Large," Vol. I, page 460.


PRICE OF GILT SILVER LIMITED.

75

"In 141 4, one John of Rochester, was taken by the master of the trade of goldsmiths there for counterfeiting mazer bonds in copper and brass plated over with silver, or gilded, and brought up to London, having sold them within the City." These cases show that the Goldsmiths' Company then had jurisdiction not only in the Metropolis, but elsewhere within the kingdom of England.*

CUTLERS AND GOLDSMITHS. A.D.

A

1405.

goldsmiths and

happened between the companies of the with regard to certain privileges, claimed by

contest

cutlers,

the former, of inspecting all the gold and silver work made by the latter. At length the goldsmiths appealed to the Parliament, and by the authority of the king, the affair was referred to the Lord Mayor of London, who, having carefully examined into the same, reported, that according to the ancient immunities of the City, the cutlers had a right to work in gold and silver; but that all things made by them were to be assayed by the goldsmiths whereupon the Goldsmiths' Charter was confirmed by Parliament, and additional privileges were ;

granted.

PRICE OF GILT SILVER LIMITED. A.D.

1

2

41 4.

Henry

V,

" s. 2, c. 4.

Item, for that the Gold/miths

of England, of their Covin and Ordinances, will not /ell the Wares of their My/tery gilt, but at the double Price of the Weight of the Silver of the /ame, which /eemeth to the King very outrageous and too exce//ive a Price, (2) the King, for the Ea/e of his People, willing to remedy the /ame, hath ordained and e/tabli/hed, That all the Goldsmiths of England /hall gild no Silver wor/e than of the Allay of the Englijh Sterling, and that they take for a Pound of Troy^ gilt but Forty-/ix /hillings and eightpence at the mo/t, (3) and of greater Weight, and le//, according to the Quantity and Rate of the /ame Sum and that which /hall be by them gilt from henceforth shall be of rea/onable Price, and not exce//ive, (4) and if any Gold/mith do contrary to this statute, he /hall forfeit to the King the Value of the Thing so /old."t REPEALED. A.D. 1420. 8 Henry V, c. 3. "Item, that none from henceforth nor Metal, but Silver, and the Ornaments of Sheaths, /hall gild any holy Church; (2) nor /hall /ilver no Metal but Knights Spurs, and all the Apparel that pertaineth to a Baron, and above that E/tate upon Pain of Forfeiture to the King ten Times as much as the Thing /o gilt is of Value, and /hall have al/o one Year's Imprison:

:

*

t

Memorials of the Goldsmiths' Company. " The Statutes at Large," Vol. I, page 499.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

/6

(3) And the Ju/tices of Peace /hall have Power to inquire thereof, and that to determine. (4) And he that will /ue for the King in this Behalf, /hall have the third Part of the /aid pecuniary Pain.

merit.

"

II. Provided, That this la/t Ordinance /hall begin to hold Place at the Fea/t of Eafter next coming."* REPEALED.

STANDARD OF GOLD AND SILVER

:

PROVINCIAL

OFFICES. A.D. 1423.

2

Henry

"

VI,

c.

14.

Item, That no Gold/mith, nor

Silver within the City of London, /ell any Workman/hip of Silver, unle/s it be as fine as the Sterling, except the same need Souder in the making, which /hall be allowed according as the Souder is nece//ary to be wrought in the /ame. (2) And that no Gold/mith nor Jeweller, nor any other that worketh Harne/s of .Silver, /hall /et any of the /ame to /ell within the City, before it be touched with the Touch of the Leopard's Head, if it may rea/onably bear the /ame Touch and al/o with the Mark or Sign of the Workman of the /ame, upon Pain of Forfeiture of the Double, as afore is /aid; and that the Mark or Sign of every Gold/mith be known to the Wardens of the /ame Craft. (3) And if it be found, that the /aid Keeper of the Touch touch any /uch Harne/s with the Leopard's Head, except it be as Fine in Allay as the Sterling, that then the Keeper of the Touch, for every Thing /o proved not as good in Allay as the /aid Sterling, /hall forfeit the double Value to the King and to the Party, as is above recited. (4) And al/o it is likewi/e ordained in the City of Y ork, Newcaftle upon Tine, Norwich,

Worker of

Lincoln, Briftow, Salifbury, and Coventry, that every one /hall have divers Touches, according to the Ordinance of the Mayors, Bailiffs, or Governors of the /ame Towns; (5) and that no Gold/mith, nor other Workers of Silver, nor Keeper of the /aid Touches within the /ame Towns, /hall /et to Sale, or touch any Silver in other Manner than is ordained before within the City of London, upon Pain of the /"aid Forfeiture. (6) And moreover that no Gold/mith, or other Worker of Silver within the Realm of England, where no Touch is ordained as afore is /aid, /hall work any Silver, except it be as fine in Allay as the Sterling, and that the Gold/mith or Worker of the /ame Silver /et upon the /ame his Mark or Sign before he /et it to Sale; (7) and if it be found, that it is not as fine as the Sterling, that then the Worker of the /ame /hall forfeit the double Value, in Manner and Form as before is recited within the City of London. (8) And the Ju/tices of Peace, Mayors and Bailiffs, and all other having Power as Ju/tices of Peace, /hall hear, inquire, and determine, by Bill, Plaint, or in other Manner, of all that is contrary to the /aid Ordinances, and thereof to make due Execution by their (9) Provided always. That if the Ma/ter of the Mint Di/cretions. *

Idem, page 512.


GOLDSMITHS' CHARTER. which now

yj

or which for the

Fime /hall be, offend, or have offended /aid Mint, that then he be puni/hed and ju/tified according to the Form of the /aid Indentures."* Repealed as to Master of Mint. It appears that before this Statute was passed, all the gold and silver plate made in England was assayed and marked at Goldsmiths' Hall in London. is,

in his Office of the

EXPORTS. A.D. 1432. 1 1 Henry VI, c. In this year the laws which pro14. hibited the exportation of money and plate were partially suspended. The Pope's Ambassador had licence to pass out of the kingdom with gold, money and jewels to the amount of one hundred pounds. And the Bishop of Worcester, being about to attend the General Council at Basle, had permission to carry with him goods, jewels, and vessels of silver to the value of one thousand pounds. The Bishop of Winchester had licence to carry out of the realm money and plate to the amount of ;"20,ooo of sterlings. And about the same time a certain Spaniard had permission to take his REPEALED. horses, silver, plate and money out of the kingdom.

GOLDSMITHS' CHARTER. A.D. 1462. The most important charter ever given to the Company of Goldsmiths in London bears" date the 30th of May, 2 Edw. 4, and grants (inter alia) as follows And for the credit of the men of the said craft, dwelling and residing in the said city, for the time being, and for the preventing and avoiding of the damage and loss, which do or may daily happen or arise, as well to us as to any of our liege people, for want of a due and provident care in regulating certain of our subjects and others using and exercising the said trade, without any regard to the credit of the said company; and also for the preventing and taking away the subtilties and deceits practised in the said trade. We have further granted, and by these presents do grant to the said now wardens and commonalty, and their successors for ever, that the wardens of the said mystery for the time being shall and may for ever have the search, inspection, trial and regulation of all sorts of gold and silver, wrought or to be wrought, and to be exposed to sale within the City of London, and the suburbs thereof, and in all fairs and markets, and all cities, towns, and boroughs, and all other places whatsoever throughout our kingdom of England, and also shall and may have power to punish and correct all defects that shall be found in the and also by themselves, or any working of gold and silver; of them, to break all such deceitful works and wares of gold and :

.

*

"The

.

.

Statutes at Large," Vol.

I,

page 529.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

;8

silver, of what sort soever, if any such they shall find, to be made, wrought, and exposed to sale, in deceit of our people." This privilege has been since so materially enlarged, that they have the power of inspecting all gold and silver wares in the following particular places, viz., Chester, Newcastle, Norwich, Exeter, Birmingham and Sheffield, with the power of punishing all offenders concerned in working adulterated gold and silver, and of making

bye-laws for their better government.

STANDARD OF 18-CARAT GOLD. A.D. 14//.

17

Edward

IV, Stat,

i, c.

i,

directs (in^er alia), that

no goldsmith, or worker of gold or silver, shall work, or put to sale, any gold under the fineness of 18 carats, nor silver, unless it be as fine as sterling, except such thing as requireth solder also, that no ;

goldsmith work, or set to sale, harness of silver plate, or jewel of silver, from the feast of Easter, within the City of London, or within two leagues [" leukey "] of I^ondon, before it be touched with the leopard's head, such as may bear the said touch, and also with a mark or sign of the worker of the same so wrought, upon pain of forfeiture of the double value of such silver wrought and sold to the contrary that the mark or sign of every goldsmith be committed to the wardens of the same mystery, and if it be found that the ;

keeper of the touch of the leopard's head, do mark or touch any harness with the leopard's head, if it be not as fine in alloy as sterling, he shall forfeit double the value of the silver, and that the craft of goldsmiths of London shall be answerable for the nonsufficiency of the warden.* This statute was enacted for seven years, and was afterwards re-enacted for twenty years in 1489, and again for twenty years in 1552 by 7 Edw. VI, c. 6. REPEALED.

ASSAY OF GOLD AND SILVER. 1487. 4 Henry VII, parl. 3, c. 2. Item, "Whereas it was Time u/ed, and continued till now of late Years, that there was for the Weal of the King and the Realm, Finers and Farters of Gold and Silver by Fire and Water, under a Rule and Order belongA.D.

of old

unto the Mints of London, Calais, Canterbury, York, and in other Places where Mints been holden, and at the Gold/miths' Hall in London, to fine and part all Gold and Silver belonging and needful for the /aid Mints and Fellow/hip of Gold/miths, for the Amendment of Money and Plate of the Realm, that every Thing might be reformed to the right Standard, as well in Money as Plate, to the lea/t Co/t for the Weal of the King's Nobleing

Durham, and

* This Statute is Norman-French, and Large," Vol. II, page 40.

is

printed in

"The

Statutes at


ASSAY OF GOLD AND SILVER.

79

of the Land, and Common People (2) But /o it is now, that /uch Finers and Parters of Gold and Silver by Fire and Water, dwelling Abroad in every Place of this Realm out of the Rules

men

:

afore/aid, and buy gilt silver from the Mints, Changes, and Goldsmiths, and part and fine it as is afore /aid, and for the mo/t Part of the Silver /o fined, tliey do allay it in divers Manners, and /ell it at their Plea/ures to every Man of what E/tate or Degree, /oever he be, that will buy of them', to make /uch Works as plea/eth the Buyers; (3) therefore Men can get no fine Silver when they need it for their Money, for the Amendment of Money, and Plate, as hath been in Times pa/t; wherefore it cau/eth Money and Plate in divers Places of the Realm to be made worse in Finene/s than it should be, as it appeareth evidently in. divers Places, to the great Hurt of the King's Noblemen of the Land, and common People (4) Wherefore the King our Sovereign Lord, by the A//ent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and of the Commons, in the /aid Parliament a//embled, and by Authority of the /ame, hath ordained, enacted, and e/tabli/hed, That no Finer of Gold and Silver, nor Parter of the /ame by Fire or Water, from henceforth allay any fine Silver or Gold, ne none /ell in any other wife, ne to any Per/on or Per/ons, but only to the Officers of Mints, Changes, and Gold/miths within this Realm, for Augmentation and amending of Coin and Plate as is afore/aid; (5) and that the Ma/ters of Mints, Changes, and Gold/miths, for all /uch fine Gold or Silver coming to them, to an/wer the Value as it is worth, according as it is now and hath been in ancient Time accu/tomed after the Rate of Finene/s (6) Ne that no Finer nor Finers, Parter nor Parters, sell to no Per /on, neither to one nor to other any Manner of Silver into Ma/s molten and allayed, upon Pain of Forfeiture of the /ame, the King thereof to have one Half, and the Finder that can prove, and will /ue for it in the King's Exchequer, the other Half. (7) And if any Finer or Finers, Parter or Parters of Gold and Silver, either by Fire or Water, allay or /ell any Manner fine Gold or Silver, otherwi/e than it is ordained in this Act, he or they to lo/e the Value of the /ame Gold or Silver /o allayed or /old; the King to have the one Half, and the Finder that can prove it, and will /ue for it in the King's Exchequer, the other Half. (8) Al/o all such fine Silver as /hall be parted and fined as is afore/aid, that it be made /o fine that it may bear Twelve Penny Weight of Allay in a Pound Weight, and yet it be as good as Sterling, and rather better than wor/e; (9) and that every Finer put his /everal Mark upon /uch fine Silver, to bear witne/s of the /ame to be true, as is afore /aid, upon the Pain of the Value found contrary to be forfeit; the King thereof to have the one Half, and the Finder that can prove it, and will /ue for it in the Exchequer, the other Half. (10) And that no Gold/mith nor Gold/miths within this Realm melt or allay any fine Silver, to be for any Works or other Intent, but only for making of Amels, for divers Works of Gold/mithry, and for amending of Plate to make it as good as Stirling, or better, for the common Weal of this Realm. :

:

7


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

8o

" II. Nor that they /ell no fine Silver, nor other Silver allayed, molten into Ma/s, to any Per/on or Per/ons what/oever they be, nor one Gold/mith to another. (2) This Ordinance to be kept by the Gold/miths in every Point, upon Pain of Forfeiture of the /ame Silver, or the Value thereof; the King thereof to have the one Half, and the Finder that can prove it, and will /ue for it in the King's

Exchequer, the other Half. " III. Al/o it is ordained by the /ame Authority, That all Letters Patents and Grants of Offices belonging or pertaining to the Mint of our Sovereign Lord the King, or exercised in the /ame, with Fees and Wages thereto belonging, be from henceforth void and of none effect."* Repealed.

As is

this

Act makes no mention of any country Assay Offices, all or most of them were then discontinued.

it

probable that

GOLSMITHS' CHARTER. Another Charter granted to the Goldsmiths' ComA.D. 1504. pany of London, bearing date 3rd February, 20 Henry VII, mentions "that divers persons in divers parts of this Kingdom do work and expose to sale gold and silver wrought worse than standard, and neither fear nor doubt to be punished; as due search, or due punishment, is seldom executed out of London. And that the common standard, or assize of gold and silver (according to the ordinances in that behalf made), is kept in Goldsmiths' Hall, in London; and that all works and wares in gold and silver there tried and assayed, and affirmed for good, shall be stamped with their marks, which they use for that purpose; and all defective works utterly

condemned."

In 1547, the Court of the Goldsmiths' Company passed resoluin accordance with the King's injunctions, for breaking up the image of St. Dunstan. These were shortly afterwards carried out, and the weight of the image, and of St. Dunstan's standing cup, with the nimiber of the stones set therein, are entered in the tions,

proceedings.

At this time the year began at the Feast of the Holy and Blessed Trinity [Sunday after Whit Sunday] instead of at the Feast of St. Dunstan [May 19] as formerly. Four years

St.

an almswoman was committed on a spoon.

later

setting an Apostle

Soon after Queen Mary commenced her Dunstan was restored.! *

" The Statutes at Large," Vof.

t Memorials of

tlie

Goldsmitlis'

to

ward

for

reign, the old style of

II,

page

Company.

73.


STANDARDS OF GOLD AND SILVER.

8i

STANDARDS OF GOLD AND SILVER: 22-CARAT GOLD REVIVED. A.D. 1573. Commissioners were appointed to 15 Elizabeth. inquire into the standard of gold and silver, which had not been attended to, in consequence of the disgraceful state of the coinage, and the low degree of baseness to which that and goldsmiths' work

had then recently fallen, but which had then reached again former purity. The Commissioners called before them the Master and Wardens of the Goldsmiths' Company, to see how far they had complied with the standard; and they were compelled to give security that in future no gold wares should be of less fineness than 22 carats, and silver wares 11 oz. 2 dwts. in the pound. generally

to its

STANDARDS AND PRICE OF GOLD AND SILVER WARE. 22-CARAT GOLD. A.D. 1576. 18 Elizabeth, c. 15. "Whereas certain evildi/posed Gold/miths deceitfully do make and /ell Plate, and other Gold and Silver Wares, to the great defrauding of her Maje/ty, and her good Subjects (2) For Remedy whereof, be it enacted by the Authority of this pre/ent Parliament, That no Gold/mith from the twentieth Day of April next coming /hall work, /ell, exchange or cd^nfe to be wrought, /old or exchanged, any Plate or other Gold/miths Wares of Gold, le/s in Finene/s than that of two and twenty Carrects [carats], and that he u/e no Sother, Amell or other Stuffings what/oever, in any of their Works, more than is nece//ary for the fini/hing of the /ame; (3) and that they take not above the Rate of Twelve-pence for the Ounce of Gold, be/ides the Fa/hion (more than the Buyer /hall or may be allowed for the /ame at the Queen's Exchange or Mint) upon Pain to forfeit the Value of the Thing /o /old or exchanged (4) And that from the /aid twentieth Day of April no Gold/mith /hall make, /ell or exchange in any Place within this Realm, any Plate or Gold/miths Wares of Silver, le/s in Finene/s than that of eleven Ounces twopeny Weight; (5) nor take above the Rate of Twelve-pence for every Pound Weight of Plate or Wares of Silver, besides the Fashion, more than the Buyer /hall or may be allowed for the /ame at the Queen's Exchange or Mint (6) nor put to Sale, exchange or /ell any Plate or Gold/mith's Work of Silver, before he hath /et his own Mark to /o much thereof as conveniently may bear the /ame (7) upon Pain to forfeit the Value of the Thing /o /old or exchanged. (8) And if any Gold/mith /hall make any Gold/mith's Work or Plate, and the /ame after the /aid twentieth Day of April /hall be touched, marked and allowed for good, by the Wardens or Ma/ters of that My/tery, and if in the /ame there /hall be found any Fal/hood or Deceit; then the Wardens and Corporation of that My/tery for the Time being, /hall forfeit and pay the Value of the Thing /o exchanged or /old; (9) the one Moiety of :

:

;

;


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

82 all

which Forfeitures /hall be

to the

U/e

of the Queen's Maje/ty,

and the other Moiety to the U/e of /uch Party grieved and /u/taining Lo/s thereby, as will /ue for the /ame in any Court of Record, by Action, Bill, Plaint, Information or otherwise, wherein no E//oin,

Wager of Law "/hall be admitted for the Defendant."* Repealed, except from and if any goldsmith." Again, by this Act the Goldsmiths' Company of London is the only Authority for assaying Gold and Silver Ware, and no Country Protection or

Offices are mentioned.

In 1630 new gowns were purchased for the almsmen of the " Goldsmiths' Company, and it was ordered that The badge of the is to be set each Head gown." upon Leopard's When Mr. Harrison, a goldsmith, was Sheriff, in 1633, the Company lent him a quantity of plate. The list of this shows that the Company possessed a very valuable collection prior to the loss of the greater portion of it during the Civil War. The vessels lent to Mr. Harrison weighed between 2,000 and 3,000 ounces, and were mostly gilt. They included eleven standing cups and covers, many basins and ewers, greater and lesser salts. Livery pots, trencher plates, etc.

At the Court of Assistants, held 23rd May, 1638, it was reported that " The alphabet of small Roman letters has been used down to 'V.' It being the custom of the Company not to go beyond 'V,' it is resolved that the alphabet of great letters of the Court handwriting shall now be used." At the Court held, two years later it was resolved that " In consequence of the devices of workmen to entrap the Assay Master, namely, by clogging their work with unnecessary solder; making pieces of plate of many parts of silver of different qualities putting new feet to the bodies of old bowls which have passed the touch, and adding potkins of coarse silver; and in consequence of the leniency of the wardens by which many offenders escape punishment, it is ordered that Alderman Wollaston shall make relation of the aforesaid practices in the Hall, and warn offenders that they will in future be visited with condigne punishment." In 1650, a complaint was made against Thomas Maundy, because he had printed and published an order of the Commonwealth whereby he was appointed to make the great maces, thus deMr. Maundy was sent for, and terring others from providing maces. explained that he had no desire of monopolising the making of maces, and that he conceived that the order was only to extend to the making of the great maces, namely for the Parliament, for the Council of State, for the City of London, and for Ireland. The Wardens therefore resolved to publish something showing that the members of the Company might make any maces, which should be bespoken of them. :

;

:

*

" The Statutes at Large," Vol. II, page 622.


STANDARDS OF GOLD AND

SILVER.

83

On June 12, 1652, the new Wardens took their places at the Court of Assistants, and the new pounsons were brought in by the graver. The letter for the ensuing year was to be the great O in the Court character in an escutcheon. At the Court held June 4, 1658, there was an order made for new letter to be used, " the Company having run through the alphabet of the character of the Courte hand letter." A complaint was made to the Court of Assistants on June 2, 1663, that the spoons had then lately not been wrought for length and wideness of the bowls as tliey ought to be, but were shorter in the handles and less in the bowls than theretofore. It was therefore ordered that the form and pattern of a spoon should be made and hung up in the Assay Ofhce; and if spoons were brought to be assayed otherwise made, the Deputy Assayer was to return them to be new wrought again. The Company, in 1664, in conformity mth the request of one of the Secretaries of State, made a return of the quantity and value the

of the plate made during the previous ten years. This shows that the total weight of silver plate was 309,728 lbs. 6 oz. 6 dwts., and That gold plate the value thereof ;^929,i85 us. 6d. (5s. an ounce). was very seldom made, and that gilt plate was included in the total

amount named.* Eleven years

Company made

later the

the following order

London^ Goldsmiths' Hall, February

:

23, 1675.

Whereas complaints have been made to the Wardens of the of Goldsmiths, London, that divers small works, as buckles for belts, silver hilts, and the pieces thereto belonging, with divers other small wares, both of gold and silver, are frequently wrought and put to sale by divers goldsmiths and others, worse than standard, to the great abuse of his Majesty's good subjects, and great discredit of that manufacture, and reproach in foreign parts to the English goldsmiths; and that there are also divers

Company

pieces of silver plate sold, not being assayed at Goldsmiths' Hall, and so not marked with the leopard's head croivned, or lyon, as by law the same ought to be And whereas the Wardens of the said Company, to prevent the said frauds, have formerly required all persons to forbear putting to sale any adulterate wares, either of gold or silver but that they cause the same forthwith to be defaced And that as well plate workers as small workers shall cause their respective marks to be brought to Goldsmiths' Hall, and there strike the same in a table kept in the Assay Office; and likewise enter their names and places of habitations in a book there kept for that purpose, whereby the persons and their marks might be known unto the Wardens of the said Company; which having not hitherto been duly observed, and many of the offenders seem to be incorrigible; these are therefore to give notice to, and to require again all those :

:

:

*

Memorials of the Goldsmiths' Company.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

84

who

exercise the said art or mystery of goldsmith in or about the of London and Westminster and the suburbs of the same, that they forthwith repair to Goldsmiths' Hall and there strike their marks, first approved by the Wardens in Court, in a table appointed for that purpose, and likewise enter their names with the places cities

of their respective dwellings in a book remaining in the Assay Office there* And that as well the worker as shopkeeper, and all cutlers

and girdlers and all others working or trading in gold or silver wares of what kind soever or quality they be, forbear putting to sale any of the said works, not being agreeable to standard, that is to say, gold not less in fineness than 22 carats, and silver not less in fineness than 1 1 oz. 2 dwts. and that no person or persons do from henceforth put to sale any of the said wares, either small or great, before the workman's mark be struck clear and visible thereon, ;

and upon every part thereof, that is wrought asunder, and afterwards soldered or made fast thereto, in finishing the same, unless it be such sort of work adjudged by the wardens, that it will not conveniently bear the worker's mark. And that all manner of silver vessels, and all manner of silver hilts for swords, and all manner of silver buckles for belts and girdles, and other harness of silver, be assayed at Goldsmiths' Hall, and there approved for standard, by striking thereon the lion and leopard's head crowned, or one of them, before they be exposed to sale. And hereof all persons concerned are required to take notice, and demean themselves accordingly; otherwise the wardens resolve to make it their care to procure them to be proceeded against according to law. And will reward every person for their pains in discovering before them (in court) the matter of fact of any transgressor (in the premises) upon the conviction of the offender. A.D. 1696. It was enacted by this 7 & 8 William HI, c. 19. Statute, that no person keeping an inn, tavern, or alehouse, or selling liquors, should publicly use or expose in his house any wrought or

manufactured plate (except spoons), under the penalty of forfeiting the same or the full value thereof. It was also enacted that after March 31, 1696, no person should ship any molten silver or bullion either in bars, ingots, or any other forms, unless a certificate on oath had been obtained that the same molten silver or bullion was not coin of the Realm, nor plate wrought within the Kingdom. Heavy penalties are laid down in the Act for any breach of these regulations, t Repealed. The table here alluded to was a copper plate of nine columns, which :s preserved at the Hall. It contains punches of the makers' marks from the date of this order, 1675, up to the passing of the Act altering the standard in 1697 but the book in which their names and places of abode were entered is unfortunately lost. A copy of the first five columns of this plate is printed in this volume the remaining marks are of the second size I'^or small pieces still

;

;

of plate.

t

"The

Statutes at Large," Vol. Ill, page 605.


NEW STANDARD OF NEW STANDARD OF

SILVER AND MARKS.

SILVER

85

(OF 11 oz. 10 dwts.).

AND MARKS. A.D. 1696.

8

&

9 William

III, c. 8,

s.

i.

Enacts that any per-

sons that shall bring any sort of wrought plate, between January i, 1696, and November 4, 1697, into any of his Majesty's mints, etc., shall be paid 5s. 4.6.. per ounce for the same; and that the master and worker of the mints shall receive all such wrought plate, which shall plainly appear to have thereon the mark commonly used at the Hall, belonging to the Company of Goldsmiths in London, besides the workman's mark, as sterling silver, without tarrying till And where the wrought plate so brought, it be melted and assayed. shall not have the said marks thereon, then the party bringing such plate shall have the same forthwith melted and assayed, and shall be allowed 5s. 4d. per ounce for every ounce of sterling silver found therein. "

And whereas it may rea/onably be /u/pected, Cap. 8, Sect. 9. that Part of the Silver Coins of this Realm hath been, by Persons regarding their own private Gain more than the publick Good, molten and converted into Ve//els of Silver or other manufactured Plate, which Crime hath been the more ea/ily perpetrated by them, in regard the Goldsmiths or others. Workers of Plate, by the former Laws and Statutes of this Realm, are not obliged to make their Plate of Finer Silver than the Sterling or Standard ordained for Be it therefore enacted by the Authority the Monies of this Realm. afore/aid. That from and after the five and twentieth Day of March one thou/and /ix hundred ninety-/even, no Gold/mith, Silver/mith, or other per/on what/oever, /hall work or make, or cau/e to be wrought or made, any Silver Ve//el, Plate, or Manufacture of Silver, le/s in Finene/s than that of eleven Ounces and ten Peny

Weight of fine Silver in every Pound Troy, nor put to /ale, exchange, or /ell, any Silver Ve/fels, Plate, or Manufacture of Silver madeafter the /aid five and twentieth Day of March (unle/s it be Silver Wire, or /uch Things as in respect of their Smallne/s are not capable of receiving a Mark) until /uch Time as /uch Ve//el, Plate or Manufactured Silver, /hall be marked as followeth (that is to /ay) with the Worker's Mark, to be expre//ed by the two fir/t Letters of his Surname, the Marks of the My/tery or Craft of the Gold/miths, which, in/tead of the Leopard's Head and the Lion, /hall for this Plate be the Figure of a Lion's Head era/ed, and the Figure of a Woman, commonly called Britannia, and a di/tinct variable Mark to be u/ed by the Warden of the /aid My/tery, to denote the Year in which /uch Plate is made; upon Pain that all /uch Silver Ve//els, Plate, or other manufactured Silver, which /hall be made, exposed to /ale, /old, or exchanged, contrary to this Act, or the Value thereof, /hall be forfeited, the one Half thereof to the King, and the other Half thereof, to such Per/on or Persons that will /eize or /ue for the /ame, to be recovered by Action, Bill, Suit, or Information, in

any Court of Record, wherein no E//oin, Protection, Wager of Law,


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

86

And if any Silverthe /aid five and after other or /hall Per/on, /mith, Gold/mith, twentieth Day of March, make any Silver Ve/fels, Plate, or manufactured Silver, contrary to this Act, and the /ame /hall be touched, marked, or allowed for good by the Wardens or Ma/ters of the /aid My/tery, or tho/e authorized or employed by them for the e//aying and marking of Plate, and if in the /ame there /hall be found any Fal/hood or Deceit; then the Wardens and Corporation of that My/tery, for the time being, /hall forfeit and pay the Value of the Plate /o deceitfully marked, the one Half thereof to the King, and the other Half to any Per/on or Per/ons that /hall buy the /ame, and be grieved thereby, to be recovered as afore/aid; any thing in this or any former Act or Acts of Parliament contained, or by any other Order or Provision heretofore made, to the contrary notwith/tanding."* REPEALED, except section eight. This higher standard was compulsory for all silver from this time until 1720, and it is still a legal standard. Wrought plate not marked with the Hall mark of the Goldsmiths' Company of London was not to be received by the officers of his Majesty's mints as sterling, but as uncertain silver. This enactment was made in consequence of the practice of melting the coin of the realm by silversmiths "to convert it into plate, as good as sterling," being the readiest way of obtaining silver both the coinage and the standard of plate being sterling, that is, II oz. 2 dwts. and in consequence of the immense quantities of plate that had been sacrificed in the preceding reign for the use of the King and Parliament by converting it into money or siege pieces of equal value; the opulent gentry were desirous of replenishing their tables and sideboards with plate, as they were before the Civil War, so they set about turning the tables, by converting money back again into plate. This w^as carried to such an extent that the King had recourse to legislation to remedy the inconvenience, and the plan was carried out of raising the standard of plate above the sterling of the coinage, rendering the latter less available to the silversmith. The inducement held out by the same Act to bring wrought plate to the mint was the offer of purchasing any which bore the mark of the Goldsmiths' Hall at 5s. 4d. the ounce, which doubtless led to a still further destruction of ancient plate. In this Act the Assay offices of the provinces were not mentioned and they appear, therefore, to have been deprived of the power of marking silver plate, because they were not empowered to use the marks for the new standard, and to work the old was illegal hence from April, or

more than one Imparlance /hall be admitted

:

;

;

;

1701, plate was only assayed and marked at the Goldsmiths' Hall, London, to the entire exclusion of the provincial assay offices during that period. 1697, until

May,

A.D. 1698. g & 10 William III, c. 28. This Statute recites that the Act of & 8 William III, c. ig, after March 31, 1696, no 7 by home-wrought plate could be shipped though never so beneficial to *

"The

Statutes at Large/' Vol. Ill, page 639.


PROVINCIAL OFFICES REAPPOINTED.

87

Kingdom, and it also recites that by the Act of 9 William III, c. 8, after March 25, 1897, no Goldsmith or Silversmith should work any silver vessel or plate less in fineness than eleven ounces and ten pennyweight in every pound Troy or put the same to sale until it should be duly marked. And that a great the artificers of the 8

&

many artificers and to the kingdom in gento export watches, sword hilts, wrought plate, by giving liberty and several other manufactures, made within this kingdom, being of the fineness prescribed in the last recited Act, it is enacted that benefit

may

accrue to

eral,

June 24, 1698, it shall be lawful to export such watches, plate, according to the rules prescribed in the said last recited Act, as shall be yearly allowed by the Commissioners of the Customs.* Repealed. after

etc.,

A.D. 1698. 9 & 10 William III, c. 39. This Act settled and adjusted the proportion of fine silver and silk, for the better making of silver and gold thread; and it enacted that no gilt wire should be covered with verdigrise, and that six ounces of plate should be used to four ounces of silk.t REPEALED.

PROVINCIAL OFFICES REAPPOINTED. 12 & 13 William, c. 4. "Whereas the Gold/miths, and Plateworkers of this Kingdom, remote from the City of London, are under great Difficulties and Hard/hips in the Exerci/e of their Trades, for want of Kf f-a.yox's, in covenient Places to a//ay and touch their Wrought Plate For Remedy whereof, and for preventing all Frauds and Corruptions therein, be it enacted by the King's mo/t excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Con/ent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this pre/ent Parliament a//embled, and by the Authority of the /ame, That the /everal Cities within this Kingdom (viz.), Y ork, Exeter, Briftol, Chefter, and Norwich, /'hall be, and are hereby appointed for the a//aying and marking of Wrought Plate, and for executing the Powers, Authorities and Directions given by this Act." Sect. 2. Incorporates the goldsmiths, silversmiths and platefreemen of, and inhabiting within, any of the said cities, workers, and having served an apprenticeship to the said trade, as a Company, to be known by the name of the Company of Goldsmiths of such city respectively, and enables them annually to choose two wardens, who shall continue for one year, and no longer, unless reA.D. 1700.

Silver/miths,

:

elected.

Enacts that no goldsmith, silversmith, or plate worker work any silver vessels or plate less in fineness than the standard, nor put to sale, exchange, or sell after September 29, 1701, until the same shall be marked as follows: The Sect.

3.

in the said cities, shall

*

"The

t Idem,

Statutes at Large,"

VoL

III,

page 717.

VoL

III,

page 713.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

88

first two letters of the surname of the maker; the lion's head, erased; the figure of the woman called Britannia; the Arms of the City Roman character. aforesaid; and a variable yearly letter Sect. 4. Enacts, that each of the said companies shall elect an able and skilful man, experienced in assaying of gold and silver, who may detain eight grains per pound troy of silver he shall assay, four grains whereof shall be put into the diet-box, and the other four grams shall be allowed him for his waste and spillings in making the said assays; and appoints the oath he shall take.

m

Direct that such oath shall be administered by the 5. of the Cities aforesaid. Sect. 6. Enacts, that the diet-box shall be locked up with three keys, kept by the wardens and assay er, and shall be at the company's charge conveyed annually (if required by the Lord Chancellor or Keeper) to the Mint at the Tower of London, and the diet therein tried as the pix of the coin is tried and if any falsehood or deceit therein, the company shall forfeit ;^50, to be recovered against such company, or any member thereof in his private capacity and if any plate shall be touched, marked, or allowed for good by the assayer, and any deceit found therein, he shall forfeit double the value of the plate so marked. Sect. 7. Enacts, that every goldsmith, silversmith, or plate worker, inhabiting the cities aforesaid or elsewhere, shall first enter his name, mark, and abode with the wardens of such company of that city or place where an assayer is or shall be appointed, which shall be done without fee. And if such goldsmith shall not enter his mark, or shall strike any unentered mark on plate, he shall forfeit double the value thereof. This section is REPEALED. Sect. 8. Enacts, that if any person shall counterfeit any of the stamps appointed by this Act to be used by the said wardens or assayers for marking wrought plate, or any of the stamps used by the wardens of the Company of Goldsmiths of the City of London, such person shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of i^SOO, to be recovered and disposed as aforesaid. Sect. 9. Recites, that it is not the intent or meaning of this Act to hinder any goldsmith, silversmith, or plate worker, not inhabiting within any of the cities aforesaid, from exercising his trade; yet for preventing of abuse or corruption therein, it enacts that every such Sect.

Mayor

;

:

goldsmith, silversmith, or plate worker, shall first fix his mark upon and then shall send the same to some city or place where an assayer is or shall be appointed who shall assay and mark the same as he is by this Act required to mark the plate of his company, and he shall be paid towards his charge and trouble in making such assays a sum not exceeding sixpence per pound troy. And if any goldsmith, silversmith, or plate worker, sell any such plate before it shall be assayed and marked, he shall forfeit such plate.* Nearly all these cities, it will be seen, were chosen for the same purpose, as early as 2 Henry VI, A.D 1424, but many had probably his plate,

*

"The

Statutes at Large." Vol. IV, page 64.


THE NEWCASTLE

ACT.

89

never availed themselves of the privilege, or had long since discontinued it, or it v^ould have been unnecessary to reappoint them expressly by this statute. As the King's subjects had, in the year 1697, sold most of their wrought plate to the mints to be coined into money, and the said Act William III, c. 8,^ had abolished the old standard of 11 oz. 2 dwts. and established the new standard of 1 1 oz. 10 dwts. for wrought silver plate, and had only entrusted the said Company of Goldsmiths in London with assaying and marking all the new standard plate of the kingdom; and as a large demand now arose for wrought plate, and the goldsmiths in the remote parts of the kingdom were under great difficulties to supply their customers, therefore the goldsmiths, etc., in the above cities (where mints were lately erected) obtained the above Act, which conferred the same privileges upon the cities therein named, but from 1696 to 1701 no plate had been assayed or stamped anywhere but in London. In the parts of England distant from the metropolis it was the custom, as enacted by 2 Richard II, 1379, "that every goldsmith should have his own proper mark set upon his work," and also that "the work should bear the mark of the city or borough where it was

assayed." In the Acts of 1423 and 1462, York, Norwich, Lincoln, Newcastle, and other cities were appointed to assay gold and silver, and " were directed to use divers touches according to the ordinance of " the Mayor, Bailiff, or Governor of the said towns hence it seems they could adopt any mark they thought proper; but in 1700, when these assay towns were re-established. Sect. 3 expressly defined the five marks to be (1) the arms of their cities, (2) the inaker's mark, (3) a variable Roman letter to show the year in which the plate was made, (4) the lion's head erased, and (5) Britannia. ;

:

THE NEWCASTLE

ACT.

I A.D. 1 70 1. Anne, Stat. I, c. 9, Sect. 3. This section recites the Act of 12 William III, c. 4; and proceeds that, "Whereas in the Town of Neivcaftle upon Tyne there is, and Time out of Mind hath been, an ancient Company of Gold/miths, which, with their Families, by the /aid Trade utterly lo/t in the /aid Town And whereas by the Statute of the /econd of HENRY the /ixth, the Town of Newcaftle upon Tyne is one of the Places appointed to have Touches for Wrought Silver Plate; Be it therefore enacted by the Authority afore/aid, that the Town of Newcaftle upon Tyne be and is hereby appointed for the a//aying and marking of Wrought Plate, and for executing the /everal Powers, Authorities, and Directions mentioned and contained in and by the /aid Act of the twelfth Year of our :

/aid late Sovereign Lord King WILLIAM, as fully and amply, to all Intents, Con/tructions and Purpo/es, as if the /aid Town had been expre/ly named in the /aid Act."


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

90

This provides that the Goldsmiths, Silversmiths, and workers freemen of and inhabiting the Town of Newcastle, plate should be incorporated by the name of The Company of the Town of Newcastle upon Tyne, and were authorised to choose annually two persons as Wardens of the Company. All silver plate to be marked with the Arms of the Sect. 5. the previous Act and said Town and the other marks mentioned that an Assay Master should be chosen, who should take the oath before specified. And further that the Orders, Rules, pains and should be observed and enforced as before mentioned.* Sect. 4.

m

;

penalties

OLD STANDARD SILVER OF DUTY OF 6d. per

OZ. 2 DWTS. OZ. IMPOSED.

1 1

A.D.

1

Stat. 6

7 19.

George

I, c.

ii, Sect.

i.

REVIVED

Recites, that

it is

found by experience that the manufactures of silver which were made according to the old standard are more serviceable and durable than those which have been made according to the new standard; and therefore enacts, that the said old standard of silver plate, made after June i, 1720, shall be restored, revived, and take place instead of the said

new

standard. Enacts, that after the said June i, 1790, no goldsmith, silversmith or plateworker, shall be obliged to make silver plate according to the said new standard. Sect. 3. Enacts, that no person shall make any silver plate less in fineness than 1 1 ounces 2 pennyweights per pound troy, or Sect.

2.

sale, exchange, or sell any silver plate (unless wire, or things by smallness not capable of a mark) until touched, assayed, and marked in manner prescribed by the laws, for marking the new standard of 1 1 ounces 10 pennyweights fine in case the same standard had continued; and that all former laws for preserving the said new standard shall be put in execution for preserving the old standard. Grants to his Majesty a duty of sixpence per ounce on Sect. 4.

put to

all silver

plate imported into

by the importer and makers provide for the levying of

and made

in Great Britain, to be paid and subsequent sections

respectively

;

it.

Sect. 41. Recites, that it may be requisite, for encouraging the several manufactures of wrought plate, to continue both the new and the old standards, for the better accommodating all buyers of plate, and the workers and dealers therein and therefore enacts, that all wrought plate shall not be made less in fineness than II ounces 10 pennyweights, or ii ounces 2 pennyweights; which two different standards of wrought plate shall be severally marked with distinguishing marks, viz., plate of ii ounces 10 pennyweights, with the workman's mark, the warden's mark, the lion's head erased, :

and the Britannia and ;

*

plate of

1 1

ounces 2 pennyweights, with the

" The Statutes at Large," Vol. IV, page 91.


OLD STANDARD SILVER REVIVED.

91

lion passant, and a leopard's shall not be lawful to make silver plate of a coarser allay, under the penalties by any of the laws in being concerning wrought plate. REPEALED, except Sections i, 2, 3 and 41. The contemplated alteration of the standard, in 1719, from the new one of ii ounces 10 pennyweights to the old one of 11 ounces 2 pennyweights was not generally approved of by the goldsmiths; for although the quality of the silver was reduced, yet the price

workman's mark, the warden's mark, a

And

head.

was raised

that

it

to the public

by reason of the additional duty of sixpence

The goldsmiths therefore memorialised the House of Commons, as shown in the following case. It was probably in consideration of their alleged grievances that Sect. 41 was added to the Bill, giving the workers an opportunity of choosing the new or old standard; but they do not appear to have availed themselves of adhering to the new standard to any

per ounce.

great extent after 1720.

"Case of the Workng Goldsmiths. In relation to a Bill row depending in the Honourable House of Commons for reducing" and laying a duty thereon. must be acknowledged by all who are workers of silver plate that the new standard of 11 ounces 10 pennyweights is of much finer colour and better adapted for curious work than the old standard of 1 1 ounces 2 pennyweights, which will not stand the fire to So that foreign courts (where a coarser receive proper ornaments. allay is used) give frequent commissions for their most valuable plate to be made in London, to the great profit of this kingdom. But should the standard be altered, as by the Bill is intended, it would be impossible for the finest artist to finish so compleat a work in silver of the old standard as it is now performed in the new standard. Besides that, there are some instances where plate of the old standard will require more silver than the same piece of plate were the standard of wrought silver plate "

1st.

It

made

of the new standard. 2nd. That the laying a duty will ruin the goldsmiths' trade is apparent; for where a duty is laid on any manufacture, the consumption of which is not absolutely necessary, the consequence must be the sinking or destroying that trade, because every person is at And if 6d. per oz. be laid on plate, the liberty to use or refuse it. manufacturer must, for all weighty plate, pay as much, or more, than he receives for the fashion (besides the loss to the buyer at every time of exchanging such plate). And it must further be observed that the old standard, with the duty, will be 3d. per oz. dearer than the new standard now is; whereby so great decrease will be made in the trade that not only the duty will fall short of what is expected from it, but many numerous families will be deprived of their subsistence. " The liberty of search by officers by night or day ob3rd. it

"

jected to. "4th.

Complains of the delay of getting and marked at Goldsmiths' Hall. "5th.

their

work assayed

Objects to the duty on small plate such as snuff boxes,


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

92

watch cases, sword hilts, shoe buckles, and other small toys, as well as the annoyance of search by night or day, etc. "6th. That Government will be deprived of the advantage received by wrought plate when bullion was wanting should the manufacture of silver decay in this kingdom, as certainly it will, " Guildhall Library. should this Bill pass.' At the Committee meeting of the Goldsmiths' Company, held on February 23, 1725, "The Workmen's remonstrances is read, complaining, first, against the practice of plateing of brass, iron, copper, and other metalls with silver. Secondly, against admitting any but freemen of the Company to have the benefit of the assay and touch, and saying that there is an Act of ye 3rd King William to forbid it. Thirdly, complaining of the number of apprentices. The Committee order the first paragraph to be read again, and then resolve to give for answer thereto that the Company have already applied to the Government agamst the evil complained of, and have bought several pieces of the said brass wares to lay before them; and will use their further endeavours to prevent the same. The second paragraph is read a second time, and it is resolved yt the Act of King William III enacts yt no plate shall be wrought or sold before it is markt at Goldsmiths' Hall and that the Attorney-General, in his report for the Treasury, says the Company cannot refuse to mark plate wrought by unfreemen; as has been also the opinion of all the councell the company have consulted thereupon, as particularly the late Common Sergeant, Mr. Dee, Mr. Sergeant Darnell, and Mr. Fazakerly, and hath not been contradicted by the counsell of the late prosecutors. Sergeant Cheshire, '

;

Knot, and Probyn.

The

third paragraph is read a second time, and it is resolved that the company cannot prevent goldsmiths ffree of other companies from binding many apprentices, but will consider of the best method they can to remedy it, and will recommend it to the consideration of the next Court of Assistants."

At the Court of Wardens, January 8, 1730: " Then Mr. Wardens took into consideration how to remedy an antient evil practice, amongst ill-disposed goldsmiths, of cutting out the Company's marks from old pieces of plate, and soldering the same into new pieces, which have never been tryed at the Hall, and may possibly be very coarse, and the fraud equal to the counterfeiting of the Company's marks, for which there is a penalty of Now in order to prevent the said ^^500 set by Act of Parliament. evil practice of cutting out the marks from one piece of plate, and soldering the same into another piece, Mr. Wardens ordered that the officers in the Assay Office, who usually strike the marks on plate, do strike the marks on every piece of plate as far distant from each other as the same conveniently may be struck, so that they may not be cutt out together."* *

Memorials

of the Goldsmiths'

Company.


MARKS TO BE DESTROYED.

93

MAKERS TO DESTROY EXISTING MARKS AND ADOPT FRESH TYPES. George

26. c. Recites the Acts of 28 14; 18 Elizabeth, c. 15; 12 William III, c. 4; recites also, that "the Wardens and Commonalty of the My/tery of Goldjiniths of the City of London are, and have been, a Guild or Corporation Time out of Mind, with divers Privileges, confirmed and enlarged from time to time by /everal Charters from A.D.

Edward

1739.

I, c.

12

20; 2

Henry VI,

II, c.

his'Maje/ty's Royal Predece//ors, Kings and Queens of this Realm (among/t other Things) for the /earching, a//aying, /upervi/ing, marking, and regulating W^rought Plate, in order to a/certain the Standard thereof, for the Good and Safety of the Publick;" recites also the Charter of i8th of Charles II; and recites, that "the Standards of the Plate of this Kingdom are both for the Honour and Riches of the Realm, and /o highly concern his Majesty's Subjects, that the /ame ought to be mo/t carefully ob/erved, and all Deceits therein to be prevented as much as po//ible; but, notwith/tanding the afore/aid /everal Acts of Parliament and Charters, great Frauds are daily committed in the manufacturing of Gold and Silver Wares for want of /ufficient Power effectually to prevent the /ame." Enacts that in England after May 28, 1739, no ware Sect. I. of gold shall be made, sold, or exported less in fineness than 22 carats of fine gold in every pound weight troy, and no ware of silver less in fineness than 11 oz. 2 dwts. of fine silver in every pound \o for every offence. weight troy, under a penalty of Sect. 2. Provides that the Act shall not extend to jewellers'

work, except mourning rings. Sect. 3. Provides how shopkeepers

may

be exempted from

prosecutions. Sect. 4. Provides that there shall be no trial against them, unless within four terms. " Sect. 5. And be it further enacted by the Authority afore/aid, That from and after the /aid twenty-eighth Day of May, one thou/and /even hundred and thirty-nine, no Gold/mith, Silver/mith, or other Person what/oever, making, or /elling, trading or dealing in Gold or Silver Wares, /hall /ell, exchange, or expo/e to Sale within that Part of Great Britain called England, any Gold or Silver Ve//el, Plate, or manufacture of Gold or Silver, what/oever, made after the /aid twenty-eighth Day of May, one thousand /even hundred and thirty-nine, or export the /ame out of this Kingdom, until /uch time as /uch Ve//el, Plate or Manufacture of Gold (being of the Standard of twenty-two Carrats of fine Gold fer Pound Troy), and /uch V&f fel, Plate or Manufacture of Silver (being of the Standard of eleven oz. two pennyweights of fine Silver per Pound Troy) /hall be marked as followeth; that is to /ay, with the Mark of the Worker or Maker thereof, which /hall be the fir/t Letters of his Chri/tian and /urname, and with the/e Marks of the /aid Company of Gold/miths in London, viz., the Leopard's Head, the Lion Pa//ant, and a distinct variable Mark or Letter to denote the Year in which /uch


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

94

Plate shall be made; or with the Mark of the Worker or Maker, and with the Marks appointed to be u/ed by the A//ayers at York, Exeter, Brifiol, Chefter, Norwich, or Newcaftle upon Tyne; or Plate (being of the Standard of eleven Ounces Ten pennyweights of hne Silver per Pound Weight Troy) with the Mark of the Worker or Maker thereof, which shall be the fir/t Letters of his Chri/tian and Surname as afore/aid, and with the/se Marks of the /aid Company, viz., the Lion's head era/ed, the Figure of a Woman, commonly called Britannia, and the /aid Mark or Letter to denote the Year as the Marks afore/aid; or with the Mark of the Worker or Maker, and of one of the /aid Cities or Towns upon Pain that every such Gold/mith, Silver/mith, or other Person, for every such Offence /hall forfeit and pay the Sum of ten Pounds, to be recovered and di/posed of as herein after is mentioned; and for Default of Payment /hall be committed by the Court in which Judgment /hall be given thereon, to the House of Correction for the County, City, or Liberty, where convicted, there to remain and be kept to hard Labour for any Time not exceeding the Space of six Months, or until Payment be made of the /aid Forfeiture." This section exempts rings, buttons, and many other Sect. 6. small articles from the operation of this Act. Recites and repeals the clause in 12 William HI, c. 4 Sect. 7. which provides that any person counterfeiting the stamps shall be liable to a penalty of ;^500. 100 on any person 'who shall Sect. 8. Imposes a penalty of forge the marks of the said Company of Goldsmiths of London, or the marks appointed for York, Exeter, Bristol, Chester, Norwich, or Newcastle-upon-Tyne, or sell any gold or silver wares having such forged marks impressed thereon. Sect. 9. Recites the clause in 6 George I, c. 1 1, imposing duty on wrought plate, and provides that goldsmiths and silversmiths should send a note with any wares sent for assay to the Wardens of the Company assaying the same, who were to transmit such notes to the Commissioners of Excise. Sect. 10. Provides that there shall be no drawback of duty on the exportation of silver plate above seven years old. Sect. II of this Act states the great frauds in the trade, and particularly in using too much solder, and entrusts the wardens, etc., with determining what solder is necessary, and whether wrought plate is forward enough in workmanship, and has all the pieces ;

affixed together or not. Sect. 12.

Sects.

13,

Contains provisions as to appeals. 14, 15 and 16 enumerates the prices to be paid for

assaying wrought plate. Sects.

17

and

18.

Provides penalties for not paying assay

charges. Sect.

19.

States

how

assay should be disposed

surplus of fees paid over expenses of

of.


EXEMPTIONS. Sect. 20.

95

the wardens, after three assays, to break

Empowers

any parcel of plate reported to be of a coarser allay than the said respective standards. Sect. 21. Enacts that every person who shall make, or cause to be made, any manufacture of gold or silver, shall first enter his name, mark, and place of abode, in the assay office of the Goldsmiths' Company of London, or in the assay office at York, etc., on io more for using any other mark. It pain to forfeit i^io, and was ordered that the makers were to destroy their existing marks, v/hich were ike two first letters of their surname, and substitute the initials of their Christian and surnames on both standards in a dif-

ferent type or character to that previously used. Contain provisions as to the recovery of Sects. 22, 23 and 24. forfeitures, and the limitation of actions.* Repealed, as to Section 6 in part, and as to Sections 7, 8, 9, 10,

23

and 24

entirely.

EXEMPTIONS. (12

George

II, c. 26.)

All gold and silver wares are required and duty paid exceft the under-mentioned in italics ally exempted, being printed

to be assayed, marked, wares, which are speci-

:

Gold. Jewellers' Work, wherein other Stones are set

Silver.

any Jewels or (other than

Mourning Bings). Rings (Wedding Itings and Mourning Bings excepted). Rings or other Jewels.

Chains.

Necklace Beads. Lockets. Filigree Work. Shirt Buckles or Brooches.

Collets, for

Stamped Medals.

Chains. Necklace Beads. Lockets. Buttons, Hollow or Raised. Sleeve Buttons. Thimbles. Coral Sockets and Bells

Spouts to China, Stone, or Earthenware Tea Pots. Tippings, Swages, or Mounts not Weighing ten pennyweights each except Necks and Collars for Castors, Cruets, or Glasses, and apperSilver

any

sort

stands

of

Wares not weighing each, except

weights

Very Small Book Clasps

articles

Stock or Garter Clasps, Jointed. Very Small Nutmeg Graters Rims of Snuff Boxes, whereof Tops or

castors,

Bottoms are made of Shell or Stone. Sliding Pencils. Toothpick Cases. Tweezer Cases. Pencil Cases. Needle Cases. Filigree Work. Tippings or Swages on Stone, or Ivory Cases, Mounts, Screws, or Stoppers to Stone or Glass Bottles, or Phials. .

*

to

taining

or

Frames.

Ferules. Pipe Lighters. Cranes for Bottles.

<'

taining

:

five

penny-

the

following Neck collars and tops for cruets, or glasses, apperto any sort of Stands or

Frames. Buttons for Wearing Apparel. Solid Sleeve Buttons and Solid Studs, not having a bezilled edge soldered on.

Wrought

Seals.

Blank Seals. Bottle Tickets.

Shoe Clasps. Patch Boxes. Salt Spoons.

The Statutes at Large," Vol. VI, page

352.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

96

Small or Slight Ornaments, put to Am- Salt Shovels, ber or other Eggs or Urns. Salt Ladles. Wrought Seals, or Seals with Cornelian Tea Spoons. or other Stones set therein. Tea Strainers.

Watch Rings. Watch Keys. Watch Hooks.

Buckles (Shirt Buckles or Brooches be-

Ear Rings.

Pieces

Caddy Ladles. fore mentioned excepted). to Garnish Cabinets or Knife Cases, or Tea Chests, or Bridles, or Stands or Frames,

Necklaces. Eyeglasses. Spectacles. Shirt Pins. Shirt Studs.

y ote.

AW these W^ares printed in are excepted out of the exemp^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ Assayed and

TT^^^f^ Ornaments.

italics

Waist Buckles.

Marked '

Head

,

^j^^

^

Any Gold or Silver Vessel, 9^ ^^lanu^^ ^'^^^ ^^^ 35,^.^^. ^^j^^^^ jj^^j^ ^^ En- y^^ facture of Gold or Silver, so richly Assayed and Marked are chargeset with or or Chased, graved, Carved, j' ^^_ ^^ ,,.^ j^ j^ ^ ^^, ^ Jewels or other Stones, as not to admit of any Assay being taken of, or a Mark ceptea). Gold A\ares, not required to be Asto be struck thereon, without damaging, prejudicing, or defacing the same, sayed and Marked, may, nevertheless, Things Avhich, by reason of their be Assayed and Marked, and are not smallness or thinness, are not capable thereby liable to the Duty, but this of receiving the Marks, and not weigh- does not extend to Silver Wares, ing ten pennyweights each. -^

Notwithstanding- that in this Act of George II a penalty of ;^io for every offence against any infraction relating to the standards and the proper marking of wares, it does not altogether invalidate the penalties which may be inflicted under the ancient Acts here recited which were not actually repealed, and since the passing of this Act prisoners have been sentenced to imprisonment and fine under the old Acts of Parliament for making silver plate worse than standard. In 1 74 1, the Court of Assistants of the Goldsmiths' Company received a petition from Drew Drury, who stated that he had in-

advertently been concerned in causing a stamp to be made resembling the "Lion Passant," and thereby incurred the displeasure of the Company, and the penalty of 100, but that he had never made any use of the stamp, had caused the same to be broken, and that, being sensible of his guilt, he was willing to pay any penalty imposed on him, with the charges incurred. The petition was, however, rejected, and the Clerk was ordered to proceed against the petitioner.

The Wardens of the Company, on December 3, 1741, caused new plate belonging to the Company to be weighed, and full particulars of both old and new plate are entered in the invenThe total weight of the old and new gilt and tory of that date. white plate amounted to 3,134 ounces.* all the

*

Memorials of the Goldsmiths' Company.


LICENCES.

97

SILVER WIRE. A.D. 1742.

to be

15

George

II, c. 20,

spun on thread, yard, or

s.

i.

All metal inferior to silvei: under a penalty of five

incle, only,

shillings for every ounce. Sect. 2. Silver thread to hold 1 1 oz. 15 dwts. of fine silver upon the pound weight troy and gilt silver thread 11 oz. 8 dwts, and 4 dwts. 4 grs. of fine gold, on penalty of five shillings for every ounce.* Repealed as to Sections i, 5, 10, 12, 13 and 15. ;

DUTY. George

A.D. 1756. 29 all silver

II, c.

14.

Grants an annual duty to his

plate in Great Britain, from 100 to 4,000 ounces, of five shillings for every hundred ounces from July 5, 1756.!

Majesty for

Repealed.

LICENCE OF

2

IN LIEU

OF DUTY.

A.D. 1757. 31 George II, c. 32. An Act to repeal the statute of the sixth of George I, c. 11, by which a duty of sixpence had been imposed upon every ounce troy of silver plate imported into, or made in. Great Britain; and a duty of forty shillings for a licence, to be taken out by every person trading in, selling, or vending gold or silver plate, was granted in lieu of it; to take place from and after June 5, 1758, and the licence to be taken out annually, on forfeiture of twenty pounds for neglecting so to do, and for discontinuing all drawbacks upon silver plate exported. By the same Act, the clause in the Act of 12 George II, c. 26, for the better preventing frauds and abuses in gold and silver wares, was likewise repealed, because the punishment which was enacted by it against counterfeiting stamps and marks upon gold and silver plate was not sufficiently severe to prevent that practice, and the said crime was now made felony, and any person lawfully convicted should be adjudged guilty of felony, and suffer death as a felon, without benefit of

REPEALED. The penalty provided by this Act was, in clergy.J I773> commuted to transportation for fourteen years.

LICENCE INCREASED TO A.D. 1758.

32

George

II, c. 24, s.

i.

^.

Exempts persons trading

gold not exceeding two pennyweights, or in silver not exceeding five pennyweights, in one piece of goods, from taking out a licence; and Sect. 3 grants an annual duty of ^ (instead of 40s.) to his Majesty for every licence by each person trading in gold plate of

in

"The X

"The

Statutes at Large," VoL VI, page 456. t Idem, Vol. VII, page 661. Statutes at Large," Vol. VIII, page 278.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

9S

two ounces or upwards, or Repealed.

in silver plate of thirty ounces or up-

wards*

BIRMINGHAM AND SHEFFIELD. A.D. 1773.

13

George

III,

c.

52.

This Act was passed for the

and workers as comincorporation of certain noblemen, gentlemen to be known by the name of and Sheffield; in Birmingham panies "The Guardians of the Standard of Wrought Plate." The Comwardens and assay masters for panies were authorised to appoint in the towns of Shefassaying and stamping wrought silver plate, Silver goods "/hall be marked as followfield and Birmingham. eth; that is to /ay, with the Mark of the Worker or Maker thereof, which /hall be the Fir/t Letters of his Christian and Surname; and the Mark of the Company al/o with the Lion Pa//ant, and with within whose A//ay Office /uch Plate shall be a//ayed and marked, to denote the Goodne// thereof, and the Place where the /ame was a//ayed and marked; and al/o with a di/tinct variable Mark or Letter, which Letter or Mark /hall be annually changed upon the Election of new Wardens for each Company, to denote the Year in which such Plate is marked." " And be it further enacted by the Authority afore/aid. Sect. 5. That the peculiar Marks of the /aid Companies, directed to be u/ed as afore/aid, /hall be as follows that is to /ay. For the Birmingham Company, an Anchor; and for the Sheffield Company, a Crown."t ;

Repealed

as to

DUTY.

Birmingham, and amended as

MARK OF THE

to Sheffield.

KING'S HEAD.

A.D. 1784. 24 George III, Sess. 2, c. 53. From December i, 1784, the following duties upon gold and silver plate are to be paid to his Majesty :

For gold plate imported into or made in Great Britain, an additional duty of eight shillings per ounce troy, over and above all other duties already imposed thereon. For silver plate imported into or made in Great Britain, an additional duty of sixpence per ounce. Sect. 4. From December i, 1784, all goldsmiths and manufacturers shall send to the Assay Offices of the Goldsmiths' Companies in London or Edinburgh, or to the Birmingham and Sheffield Companies, or to the Wardens and Assayers of York, Exeter, Bristol, Chester, Norwich and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with every parcel of gold or silver, a note or memorandum, fairly written, containing the day of the month and year, the christian and surname of the worker or maker, and place of abode, and the species, number and weight, etc., of each parcel, and the sum payable for duty upon the total Sect.

I.

weight.

"The

Statutes at Large," Vol. VIII, page 359.

t Idem, Vol. XI, page 781.


MARK OF THE

KING'S HEAD.

99

Sect. 5. Enacts that the Wardens or Assay Master shall mark with the following new mark, that is to say, with the mark of the King's head, over and besides the other marks directed by law, all and every parcel or parcels of gold or silver plate so sent to be touched, marked and assayed, etc. Sect. 7. An allowance of part of the duty to be made for goods sent to be assayed in a rough state, of one-fifth in weight and duty. Sect. 8. Gold or silver plate, made after December i, 1784, not to be sold, exchanged or exported until marked as hereby directed, on penalty of fifty pounds and forfeiture of the goods. Sect. 9. This Act not to extend to any jewellers' work (that is to say) any gold or silver wherein any jewels or other stones are set (other than mourning rings), nor any jointed earrings of gold, springs of lockets, etc. Sect. II. The new duties paid for plate shall be drawn back on

exportation thereon. Sect. 12. From December i, 1784, and the better to prevent the fraudulent relanding of any plate in this kingdom after the drawback has been paid, it is hereby enacted that all wrought plate of gold and silver, which shall be intended to be exported from this kingdom, shall be brought by the owner to the Assay Office, and shall be there stamped or marked with the figure of a Britannia, in order to denote that such plate is entered and intended for exportation, and to be allowed the drawback thereon. i, 1784, any person who shall counterin used pursuance of this Act, or shall stamp any stamp counterfeit stamp, or shall remove with etc., any wrought plate, any from any one piece of wrought plate, etc., to another any stamp to be used by the said companies or assayers, etc., or shall sell or export any plate with such counterfeit stamps thereon, etc., shall suffer death as a felon, without benefit of clergy.* REPEALED.

Sect. 16.

From December to be

feit

A.D. 1785. 25 George III, c. 64. Recites and repeals the two clauses in the Act of Twenty-fourth Geo. Ill, c. 53, relating to the stamping of the drawback mark on plate. "And whereas by the /aid recited Act it was al/o further enacted, That all wrought Gold and Silver Plate, which should be intended to be exported from this Kingdom into any foreign Parts, /hould, before the /ame was be /hipped, be brought to the Assay Office, and should there that such to denote in order a of with the Britannia, Figure stamped Plate was intended for Exportation, and to be allowed the Drawback thereon; And whereas the /triking of the Britannia Mark on many Articles of wrought Gold and Silver Plate, in their fini/hed be practi/ed without doing material Damage to State, can in no such Plate be it therefore enacted. That from and after the

Way

wrought

;

twenty-fourth day of July One thou/and /even hundred and eightyfive, the /aid two last recited Clau/es in the /aid Act contained, and each of them, /hall be, and the /ame are hereby re/pectively repealed. *

''

The Statutes at Large," Vol. XIV, page

577.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

100

By the same it was enacted, that from and after July 24, 1785, the person appointed to receive the duties payable for marking of of the duty for all plate may make an allowance of one-sixth part as directed of instead an unfinished in one-fifth, state, plate brought by the previous Act (24 George III). By the same Act the exin the inporters of gold and silver watches shall mark or engrave side of every case or box of each watch enclosing the works thereof, the same numbers and figures which shall be respectively marked or engraved on the works of the watch.* REPEALED. This appears to have been the law until 1871, when the provision was repealed by the Statute Law Revision Act of that year.

DUTY INCREASED. 37 George III, c. 90. By this Act the duty on gold at eight shillings per ounce, and silver at one shilling.

A.D. 1797.

was placed Repealed.

DUTY ON WATCH CASES REPEALED. George III, c. George III, c.

Repealed. This Act recites that, "Whereas it would be for the Advantage of the Manufacturers of Gold in this Kingdom, that Gold of an inferior Standard to what is now allowed by Law /hould be permitted to be u/ed for the /ame." And enacts that after October i, 1798, it should be lawful for a goldsmith to make or work any gold vessel or plate of the standard of eighteen carats of fine gold in every pound weight troy. Enacts that after October i, 1798, no person should Sect. 2. sell or export any gold vessel or plate of such standard until it had been marked with the new mark of a crown and the figures 18, instead of the lion passant, under a penalty of ten pounds. Sect. 3. Enacts that it should be lawful for the respective companies of goldsmiths in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Sheffield, and the wardens and assayers of gold at York, Exeter, Bristol, Chester, Norwich and Nev/castle-upon-Tyne to touch and assay such gold plate and mark it as before mentioned. Sect. 4. Provided that gold vessels and plate of twenty-two carats might still be made. Sect. 5. That this Act did not authorise the assaying with the mark previously used of gold vessels or plate of a lower standard than twenty-two carats. Sect. 6. Imposed a penalty of fifty pounds for each offence A.D. 1798. A.D. 1798.

38 38

24.

69.

against this Act. Sect.

marks

7.

This provides that any person counterfeiting any such

to be guilty of felony

and

liable to transportation for seven

years. "

The Statutes

at Large,"

VoL XIV, page

698.


FOREIGN PLATE. Sect.

8.

loi

This further provides that gold vessels or plate of the

new standard should be assayed and marked under

the

same regula-

tions as applied to the higher standard. Repealed in part.

43 George III, c. 69. The former Act of 24 George regards the licence, was repealed, and new licences appointed, viz. -For trading in gold more than two pennyweights and under two ounces in weight, and in silver over five pennyweights and under thirty ounces in weight, 2 6s. per annum for trading in gold of two ounces in weight and upwards, and in silver of thirty ounces A.D. 1803.

III,

53, as

c.

;

and upwards,

^ 15s.

REPEALED.

per annum.

DRAWBACK ON A.D. 1803.

2 of this Act.

PLATE.

44 George III, c. 98. Schedule referred to in Sect. Drawback for or in respect of gold plate and silver

wrought or manufactured in Great Britain, which shall be duly exported by way of merchandise to Ireland or any foreign parts, the whole duties which shall have been paid for the same. The duty was increased, on gold to sixteen shillings per ounce, and on silver to one shilling and threepence per ounce. REPEALED. A.D. 1812. 52 George III, c. 59. This Act was passed to allow, on the exportation of manufactured plate, for the private use of persons residing abroad, the same drawback as was then allowed on the plate,

exportation of such plate by

George

way

of merchandise.

185. By this Act the duties were on manufactured gold to seventeen shillings per ounce, on manufactured silver to eighteenpence per ounce, subject to certain A.D. 1815.

55

III,

c.

raised,

exceptions. Sect. 7. Makes the counterfeiting of the King's head duty mark a felony, punishable by death. This duty is paid to the assay officers at the time of handing the articles for assay, but if they are cut at the Hall and sent back as being worse than standard, the duty is returned with the articles.

Repealed. A.D. 1820.

on certain gold

I

George

IV,

c.

14.

An

Act to repeal the drawback

articles exported.

This A.D. 1824. 5 George IV, c. 52 (Local and Personal Act). Act authorised the Birmingham Assay Office to assay and stamp gold, as well as silver ware, the marks being the same as those used in London, except that the anchor is substituted for the leopard's head. This Act contained a number of provisions as to the management of the Birmingham Assay Office.

FOREIGN PLATE TO BE ASSAYED AND STAMPED. "And be it enacted, 5 and 6 ViCT., c. 47, Sect. 59. Gold and Silver plate, not being battered, which shall be imported from Foreign Parts after the Commencement of this Act, and sold, exchanged or exposed to Sale, within the United Kingdom A.D.

That

all

1842.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

102

of Great Britain and Ireland, shall be of the respective Standards now required for any Ware, Vessel, Plate or Manufacture of Gold or

wrought or made in England; and that no Gold or Silver Plate so to be imported as aforesaid, not being- battered, shall be sold, exchanged or exposed to Sale within the said United Kingdom until the same shall have been assayed, stamped and marked, either in England, Scotland or Ireland, in the same manner as any Ware, Vessel, Plate or Manufacture of Gold and Silver wrought or made in England, Scotland or Ireland respectively is or are now by Law required to be assayed, stamped and marked and that every Goldsmith, Silversmith or other Person whatsoever, who shall sell or expose to Sale in England, Scotland or Ireland any Gold or Silver Plate so to be imported as aforesaid, and not being battered, before the same shall have been so assayed, stamped and marked, as aforesaid, shall be subject and liable to the like Penalties and Forfeitures in all respects, and to be recoverable in the same Manner as the Penalties and Forfeitures now by Law imposed upon Goldsmiths and Silversmiths selling, exchanging or exposing to Sale in England, Scotland or Ireland respectively, any Ware or Manufacture of Gold or Silver Plate made or wrought in England, Scotland or Ireland respectively, and not assayed, stamped and marked, as required by Law Provided always that no Article or Ware of Gold or Silver so to be imported as aforesaid shall be liable to be assayed, stamped or marked as aforesaid which would not be liable to be assayed, stamped or marked if it had been wrought or made in England!^ Silver,

;

:

And

enacted. That in order that Gold and Silver aforesaid may be assayed, stamped and marked, it shall and may be lawful for any Person to send the same to any Assay Office in the United Kingdom at which Gold and Silver Plate is now by Law required to be assayed, and when so sent it shall be assayed, tested, stamped and marked in such and the same Manner, and be subject to such and the same Charges, other than Stamp Duty, as if the same were British Plate by Law assayable in such Office; and the Wardens and Officers in each such Assay Offices, and the Persons employed by them, shall have such and the Sect. 60.

Plate

so

be

imported

it

as

same Powers of

assaying, touching, testing, marking, cutting, breakor ing defacing such Gold or Silver Plate so sent to be assayed, as are now by Law exercisable by such Wardens, Officers and other

Persons in respect of Gold and Silver Plate now by Law required to be assayed in such Assay Offices. REPEALED, except Sections 59 and 60.

Provides that ornamen5 and 6 ViCT., c. 56, Sect. 6. prior to the year 1800 may be sold without being asmarked. {Vide also 30 and 31 Vict, c. 82, sect. 24.) RE-

A.D. 1842.

tal plate

made

sayed and PEALED, except Section 6. It is to be observed that these enactments did not oblige the importer to send foreign plate to be assayed and marked at the time of its importation, nor indeed at any time.


FRAUDS AND ABUSES. CRIMINAL

103

LAW CONSOLIDATION. MARK FOR

TWENTY-TWO CARAT GOLD. A.D. 1844. Abstract of the Act of the seventh and eighth VICTORIA, cap. 22, entitled "An Act to amend the Laws now in force, for preventing Frauds and Abuses in the Marking of Gold and Silver

Wares

in

England." i, the Act of the 13 Geo. Ill, c. 59, and that part of the c. 69, which relates to the III, 38 George punishment of offenders,

By

Sect

are repealed.

By Sect. 2, the forging or counterfeiting any die used by the Company of Goldsmiths ot London, or by the Companies of Goldsmiths in the Cities of York, Exeter, Bristol, Chester, Norwich, or Town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, or the Companies of Guardians of the Standard of wrought plate in the Towns of Sheffield or Birthe

mingham, for marking gold or silver wares, or knowingly uttering the same the marking wares with forged dies, or knowingly uttering any such ware; the forging any mark of any such die used as aforesaid, or knowingly uttering the same; the transposmg or removing any mark of any die used as aforesaid, or knowingly uttering any such transposed mark; the having in possession any such forged or counterfeit die as aforesaid, or any ware of gold or silver, or any ware of base metal, having thereupon the mark of any such forged or counterfeit die as aforesaid, or any such forged or counterfeit mark, or imitation of a mark as aforesaid, or any mark transposed or removed as aforesaid, knoiving the same respectively to have been forged, counterfeited, imitated, marked, transposed, or removed the cutting or severing any mark, with intent to join or affix the same to any other ware; the joining or affixing to any ware, any cut or severed mark and the fraudulently using any genuine die, are respectively made felony, punishable by transportation for any term not exceeding fourteen nor less than seven years, or by imprisonment with or ivithout hard labour for any term not exceeding three years. ;

;

;

By Sect. 3, every dealer who shall sell, exchange, expose for sale, export, import or attempt to export or import, or who shall have in his possession without lawful excuse (the proof whereof shall lie upon him) any ware of gold or silver, or base metal, having thereupon any forged or counterfeit mark, or any mark which shall have been transposed or removed, is made liable for every such ware to a penalty of

'ten

pounds.*

exempted from the penalty of discovering and making known the actual manufacturer of any such ware, or the person for whom the same was bought, had, or received. By Sect. 5, it is enacted, that if any ware which shall have been duly assayed and marked, shall be altered, by any addition being made thereto, or otherwise, so that its character or use shall be

By

Sect. 4, dealers are

* In the cases provided for by this section, it will be seen that it is not necessary for tjie Company of Goldsmiths, suing for the penalty, to prove a guilty knowledge.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

104

changed, or if any addition shall be made thereto (although its character or use shall not be changed), the weight of which addition shall bear a greater proportion of the original weight than four ounces to every pound troy weight, every such ware shall be assayed and marked again as a new ware, and the duty shall be paid upon the whole weight. But if the weight of such addition shall not bear a greater proportion to the original weight than four ounces to every pound troy, and the character or use of such ware shall not be changed, the addition only may be assayed and marked, and the duty paid on the weight of such addition only; but before any such addition shall be made, the ware shall be brought to the Assay Office for inspection, and the nature and extent of the additions explained, and the assent of the Company to the making of such addition signified And every dealer who shall alter, or add to, any ware which shall have been before assayed and marked, so that its character or use shall be changed, or so that the addition shall bear a greater proportion to the original weight than four ounces to every pound troy, without bringing the same to be assayed and marked as a new ware; or if its character or use shall not be changed, or the addition shall not bear a greater proportion to the original weight than aforesaid, without first bringing such ware to the Assay Office, and explaining the nature and extent of the intended addition to the Comand every dealer who pany, and obtaining their consent thereto shall sell, exchange, expose for sale, export, import or attempt to export or import, or who shall have in his possession any such ware so altered, changed or added to as aforesaid, is made liable for every such ware to a penalty of ten pounds; and every such ware may be :

:

seized.

By

exempted from the penalty on discoverthe actual manufacturer of any such ware, or the same w as bought, had, or received.

Sect. 6, dealers are

ing and making the person from

known

whom

Halls who shall mark as standard any ware worse than standard is made liable to a penalty of twenty pounds ; every such officer shall be dismissed; and every such ware may be seized. By Sect. 8, it is enacted, that every dealer who shall enter, or has already entered, his private mark, under the existing laws, with any of the Companies, shall give them the particulars of every place where he carries on his business, or keeps wares, and his place of abode, and so from time to time, under a penalty for every offence of five pounds. By Sect. 9, a penalty of five pounds for every offence is imposed on every dealer who shall fraudulently erase, obliterate or deface any mark of the several Companies of Goldsmiths from any

By

Sect. 7, every officer of the several

ware.

By vided

Sect. 10, the recovery

and application of penalties

is

pro-

for.

By

Sect. 11, Justices of the

Peace are required, upon information to grant such war-

by any of the several Companies of Goldsmiths,


LAW CONSOLIDATION.

CRIMINAL

105

rants to search for forged or comiterfeit dies and false or illegal wares; and every such die and ware may be seized, but not any wares which by existing laws are not required to be marked, nor any of the viz. Watch rings, watch keys, watch hooks, earrings, necklaces, eye-glasses, spectacles of gold, shirt -pins or studs, bracelets, head ornaments, waist bitckles.

wares following,

By vided

:

Sect. 12, the disposal

of false dies and wares seized

is

pro-

for.

Sect. 1 3 regulates the proceedings in actions and prosecutions against any person acting in pursuance or under the authority of this Act.

Sect. 14 defines the

meaning and interpretation of the words and

terms used in the Act. Sect. 15 provides that after October i, 1844, gold ivares of the standard of tiventy-two carats of fine gold in every pound troy shall be marked with a crown and the figure 22, instead of the lion passant, by the Goldsmiths' Companies in the Cities of London, York, Exeter, Bristol, Chester and Norwich and the towns of Newcastleupon-Tyne and Birmingham. Sect. 16 extends the powers, penalties and provisions concerning the lion passant to the mark directed to be used instead thereof, by this Act.

Act shall not extend to Scotland or

Sect. 17 declares that this

Ireland. Sect. 18 declares that

it

shall

come

into operation

on October

i,

1844.

amended or repealed in the and 19 REPEALED, Sections and 10 Repealed in part, and Section 10 Amended. It will be observed that throughout this Act the word "dealer" Sect.

19 declares that

then present session. 5

it

may

Sections

i,

be

13, 18

"

has been substituted for maker," as in former Acts, which enables the Goldsmiths' Company to sue any person who deals in plate, or has any ware of base gold, silver, or other metal, in his possession, having any forged or counterfeit mark, without lawful excuse (the proof of which lies with the dealer). The interpretation clause defines a dealer to be "one who deals

gold or silver wares, including every goldsmith and silversmith, and every worker, maker, and manufacturer of and trader and dealer in gold and silver wares, or shall sell such wares." This is the most recent statute, and must be taken as the guide and authority in all cases of forgery of the dies and marks used at the Assay Offices, and penalties for selling spurious plate, or having any such in possession, etc. in

This Statute repeals the 12 & 13 Victoria, c. 80. A.D. 1849 Act of 44 George III, c. 98, and enacts that for receiving the duty in Ireland respect of gold or silver plate wrought in Great Britain or 1 paying in the same and making out the account the sum of 100 so received and so in proportion. should be allowed for every


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

io6

REDUCED STANDARDS OF GOLD OF 9

15,

12,

AND

CARATS.

c. 96. An Act was passed allow17 & ing gold wares to be manufactured at a lower standard than before allowed by law, and to amend the law relating to the assaying of

A.D. 1854.

18 Victoria,

gold and silver wares. The first section recites that Her Majesty may, by Order in Council, allow any standard of gold wares not less than one-third fart in the whole of fine gold, to be marked with such mark or marks for distinguishing the actual fineness, to be declared in such order; and also to approve thereby of the instrument with which gold vessels, etc., shall be marked or stamped, setting forth in figures the fineness according to the standard declared. Sect. 2 provides that workers and dealers may have their wares assayed and marked at any established Assay Office which they may select.

Sect. 3 provides that if any of the gold wares which are not liable to be assayed and marked, shall nevertheless be assayed and marked, such wares shall not be chargeable with the duty. Sect. 4 extends the provisions of existing Acts to the new

standards.

who

Sect. 5 imposes a penalty of i^20 on any assayer or other officer shall mark a gold ware of a lower standard with the mark ap-

propriated to a higher standard. PARTLY REPEALED. Section 3 repealed and Section 5 amended. In pursuance of this Act, an Order of Council of nth December, 1854, fixes the new standards of 15, 12 and 9 carats, and provides that they shall be marked as follows, viz. The first with the figures 15 and the decimal mark .625. The second with the figures 12 and the decimal mark .5 (500). The third with the figure 9 and the decimal mark .375. Note. The Goldsmiths' Company of London advised against the introduction of these lower standards. The plain and intelligible manner in which it was ordered that wares of 15, 12, and 9 carats should be marked, has been, it is believed, the chief cause of the comparatively small quantity of gold of these standards which is manufactured. In the year ending May 27 (1878), at Goldsmiths' Hall, London, gold wares weighing 7,084 lbs. were marked, and the articles made of the higher standards (viz., 22 and 18 carats) weighed 6,607 lbs. 7 oz. 14 dwts. 14 grains. (Prideaux^s evidence.) N.B. All gold wares, whether manufactured of 22, 18, 15, 12, or 9 carats, are liable to the usual duty of 17s. per oz. as levied on gold plate; except watch-cases and certain wares mentioned in 12 Geo. II, c. 26, s. 6, and a few enumerated 7 & 8 Vict., c. 22, s. 11. These standards, especially that of 9 carats, are almost univerIt has been suggested that the sally disapproved of by the trade. law was made to accommodate the Birmingham manufacturers; but when they discovered that the Government did not allow the crown to be placed on these lower standards they said they did not care a :


LICENCES.

107

button about it. They doubtless desired the alteration for the purpose of forwarding English-manufactured goods abroad with the crown mark upon them, that the public should imagine they were of a higher quality than they really were. Evidence before the Parliamentary Committee, 1878. A.D. 1854. 17 & 18 Victoria, c. 82, s. 24. Foreign plate of an ornamental character made before the year 1800 is exempt. Partly Repeai.ed.

WEDDING 18

A.D. 1855.

of 18 Victoria,

c.

&

19 Victoria,

c.

RINGS. This Statute recites the Act standard for gold wares,

60.

96, authorising the lower

whereby it was enacted that gold wares not then previously liable to be assayed and marked, should be assayed and marked as therein mentioned, and that rings were exempt and that it is expedient that gold wedding rings should be assayed and marked. Enacts that gold wedding rings should be assayed and Sect. I marked, in like manner as other gold plate; and that the provisions of the statutes relating to the manufacture or sale of gold plate should apply to gold wedding rings. This repeals Sect. 3 of the Act of 17 & 18 Victoria, c. 96. Sect. 2. This section authorises certain companies to assay and Sect. 3. mark gold wares, and collect the duties on the same. ;

and 3 REPEALED. Gold wedding rings must not be sold without being duly assayed and marked. They can be made of any of the authorised standards, and are liable to the duty of 17s. per oz., of whatever Sections 2

Islote.

standard they

are.

DRAWBACK BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. A.D.

1866

29

&

30 Victoria,

c.

64,

s.

15,

provides for allowing

drawback on plate made in Great Britain exported from Ireland, and on Irish plate exported from Great Britain.

ANNUAL LICENCES. &

Annual Licences are A.D. 1867. 30 31 Victoria, c. 90, s. i. to be taken out by every dealer in gold and silver articles in respect of any shop, and by every hawker or pedlar.*

above 2 dwts. and under 2 oz., or if above 5 dwts. and under 30 oz., at If gold is 2 oz. or more, or silver 30 oz. or

If gold

is

silver is

more, at

.

.

Every pawnbroker

.

.

taking in

.

.

.

^,"2

6

o

.

p^5

15

o

gold or silver, in

o ;^5 ^5 respect of every shop ^ of in S '^S respect every shop Every refiner, *** No licence or silver or in for wire, dealing gold required thread *

A

lace.

penalty of

PARTLY REPEALED. 50

is

imposed for dealing without

licence.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

io8

i8;o. 33 & 34 Victoria, c. 32, s. 4. after July 6, 1870, it should not be necessary for to take out a licence as a dealer in plate. A.D.

This provides that makers of watches

Repealed, except Sections i, 4, and 5. 2 enacts that all A.D. 1876. 39 & 40 Victoria, c. 35. Section be sent to should from silver and foreign parts plate imported gold an Assay Office in the United Kingdom to be assayed and stamped, and that such plate should be marked in addition to the marks used at such Assay Office, with marks of the letter F in an oval escutcheon.

This mark continued to be used on foreign plate until 1904, when the Act of 4 Edward VII, c. 6, was passed. This Act made it compulsory en gold and silver smiths, etc., to have all foreign plate assayed at the Hall, and if not of the stan-

dard allowed by law, shall be dealt with in every respect as made United Kingdom, the sale or exchange of such foreign plate being prohibited unless so assayed. Upon pain that every such gold or silver smith, etc., shall forfeit and pay the sum of ten pounds for every offence, and in default of payment shall be committed by the Court to the House of Correction, and kept to hard labour for any time not exceeding six months, or until payment be made of the said in the

forfeiture.

This important addition to our hall-marks with regard to foreign silver was rendered necessary in consequence of the quantity of spurious silver from abroad which had found its way into this country, and notwithstanding an Act had been passed in 1841 prohibiting its sale unless of the proper standard, no notice had been taken until 1875, when procedings were instituted by the Goldsmiths' Company to recover penalties. In this respect the English Government tardily followed the example of the French, who for more than a hundred years had ordered all such silver from foreign parts to have a separate mark of E (etrange).

The

opportunities of importing plate without having

it

assayed

and marked at Goldsmiths' Hall are extremely easy, and no steps are taken by the Customs when it arrives in this country to test its The officer takes the duty of is. 6d. per oz. on whatever quality. stuff it may be, if it bears any resemblance to silver, and it is released without any mark being placed upon it. Although the traffic in unmarked plate is prohibited by law, the Customs take no cognisance of the prohibition, and are not in co-operation with the department who have the control of the standard, and whose duty it is to detect this base silver, and who would break it up when below


LICENCES.

109

the authorised standard, or if equal to it, after an assay, to place the marks of the Goldsmiths' Hall, with the additional stamp of the letter F, denoting its foreign origin. strong objection is raised to the system of placing the same marks upon foreign standard plate as upon English, for although the additional letter F is added, it can easily be obliterated and passed off as English, or even if left, few people would notice it, but look only to the lion and Queen's head the usual guarantee of British standard plate. One hardship in connection with the assay and stamping of foreign plate at Goldsmiths' Hall is, that although the duty of IS. 6d. per oz. may have been paid when imported to the Customs, unless the person sending the plate for that purpose can produce the certificate of its payment he will have to pay the duty over again, at the Hall, and in many cases, where the plate had been in the owner's possession for twenty or thirty years and could not produce proof, he would be liable to pay it a second time. Mr. (now Sir Walter) Prideaux, in his examination before the Committee on Gold and Silver Hall-Marking in 1878, gave the following replies to the chairman on the subject of sales by auctions Is a large quantity of foreign plate sold by auction at the preI have heard that a good deal has been sold. sent time? is it that you do not put a stop to this you have the power,

A

:

How

;

have you not, by Act of Parliament proceeding for the penalties.

?

No power

whatever, but by

That is very severe, is it not? 10 upon each article. Supposing there were a dozen spoons, the penalty would come to a large

sum ?

Yes.

Supposing that I have a set of foreign silver, and I send it to an auction room, and I sell it by the lot and not by the ounce, does not that get over the difficulty ? I have not had occasion maturely to consider the question, but

I

should think

not.

Supposing that the auctioneer is not liable by the existing law, do not you think that he ought to be ? Certainly and my opinion ;

is

that he

is

liable

With regard

he

is

the seller.

to licences,

we may

refer to a case

which was de-

877 in the Court of Exchequer. It was on an appeal from the decision of a metropolitan police magistrate with reference to the licence duty imposed by 30 & 31 Vict., c. 90, s. i. It was contended that the weight of pure gold in a chain that had been sold was less than two ounces, and consequently that the lower rate of duty only was sufficient; but the Inland Revenue contended that there was nothing as to pure gold in the statute, that the weight of the article sold as gold must be taken as the weight which regulates the rate of duty. The magistrate upheld the contention of the defendant in this case, and dismissed the information; but on appeal to the Court of Exchequer they took the view of the Revenue against that of the magistrate, namely, that the higher duty attached to it, and it was held that the weight of the article sold as gold is the weight which regulates the rate of duty. cided in

1


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

HO

A.D. 1876. By the Act 39 & 40 VICTORIA, c. 36, s. 42, clocks, watches, and other articles bearing a. counterfeited British mark, or purporting to be the manufacture of the United Kingdom, may not be imported, and if imported may be seized and forfeited. PARTLY

Repealed.

FOREIGN PLATE. NOTICE BY THE GOLDSMITHS' COMPANY. having been brought to the notice of the Goldthat articles of silver plate in considerable quantities have been for some time past imported into this country from foreign countries and sold without having been assayed and marked as required by law, the wardens of the Company consider it their duty to remind dealers in gold and silver plate of the laws which prohibit the sale of foreign plate of gold and silver imported into this country, unless it be of one of the authorised standards, and shall have been assayed and marked and the wardens, at the same time, notify that they will consider it their duty to institute proceedings at law against offenders in every case of an offence committed in breach of the law which shall be brought to their notice and A.D. 1876.

smiths'

It

Company

;

capable of proof.

NOTICE TO THE TRADE ISSUED IN AUGUST, THE GOLDSMITHS' COMPANY.

1878,

BY

In which the clauses from Acts of Parliament relating to foreign plate were reprinted, and attention was drawn to the 12 Geo. II and to the list of exemptions from compulsory marking. Also that in consequence of information given them of infringements of the laws, the wardens had been compelled to institute proceedings against several persons, the result of which had been the recovery of penalties in every case, and warning the trade and dealers generally that the wardens will not hesitate to put in force the powers vested in them to take such steps as will prevent all irregular and illegal practices.

NOTICE BY THE GOLDSMITHS' COMPANY. ;^ioo REWARD. "Whereas extensive frauds have been committed by counterfeiting the marks used by the Goldsmiths' Company of London, and by the transposition of such marks. And whereas the wardens of the Goldsmiths' Company, with a view to the prevention of fraud and the detection of offenders, have determined to offer such reward as is hereinafter mentioned. the undersigned. Walter I, Prideaux, Clerk of the said Company of Goldsmiths, for and on behalf of the said wardens, do hereby promise to pay the sum of 100 to every person who shall give such information and evidence

Now


SELECT COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

iii

as shall lead to the conviction of any person who shall have forged or counterfeited any die or other instrument which is, or has been used by the said Company of Goldsmiths for the marking of gold or silver wares, or who shall have marked with any such forged or counterfeit die any such ware, or who shall have uttered any such ware knowing the same to be marked as aforesaid, or who shall by any means whatever have produced an imitation of any such mark as aforesaid upon any ware of gold or silver, or who shall have transposed or removed or shall have uttered knowing the same to be transposed or removed, any such mark from any ware of gold or silver, or any other ware, or shall have in his possession any such ware of gold or silver having thereupon the mark of any such forged or counterfeit die, or having thereupon any such imitation of a mark as aforesaid, or any mark which shall have been so transposed as aforesaid, knowing the same to have been forged, imitated, marked, or transposed.

"Witness

my hand

this 4th

(Signed)

day of June,

1880.

Walter Prideaux, Clerks

The Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons ON THE HALL-MARKING OF GOLD AND SILVER PLATE, ETC., ISSUED IN May, 1879.

The Committee have examined numerous, witnesses upon the matter before them; and the Report of a Select Committee of this Honourable House that was appointed in the year 1856 "to inquire into the offices for assaying silver and gold wares in the United Kingdom," and the evidence taken by that Committee, have been considered by them. The inquiry before your Committee was directed to three distinct topics; the first being the incidence and effect of the duties at present levied upon articles of gold and silver manufacture; the second, the effect of the existing system of compulsory assay and hall-marking; and the third, certain complaints against the operation of the present law. It is in these days an accepted truism that every duty must operate as a fetter upon the manufacture on which it is imposed.

To this the duties on gold and silver ware are no exception. It is true that the feeling of the trade is generally in favour of the retention of the duty. The close connection between the duty and the hall-marking system has been prominently put forward as a reason why the tax is willingly borne by the trade. Probably, too, this feeling is, to some extent, due to an apprehension as to the effect of a remission of duty upon stocks in hand. The evidence establishes that the manufacture of gold and But It seems rather to be declining. silver plate is not growing. 9


112

HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

your Committee do not adopt the suggestion that this is entirely or even chiefly due to the duty. In England and Scotland duties were reimposed (in place of licences) in 1784, at the rate of 8s. per oz. on gold, and 6d. per oz. on silver. They continued at that rate till 1798, when the duty on gold was raised to i6s. per oz., and on silver to IS. per oz. In 1805 the duty on silver was again raised to is. 3d. per oz. The late duty (17s. per oz. on gold and is. 6d. per oz. on silver) was imposed in 1 8 1 7. In Ireland, from 1730 down to 1 806, the duty was

and silver alike, from 1807 till 1842 it was is. per oz. on gold and silver aUke. Since 1842 it has been levied at The returns of the the same rate as in England and Scotland. amount of duty paid during these periods do not suggest that the successive increases of duty had any depressing effect on the manuOn the contrary, the maximum return (^^"123,128) was in facture. For the 1825, nine years after the imposition of the existing duty. was amount of This the total ^^78,610 1878 only. duty year ending decline is to some extent due to change in fashion to some extent, also, to the durability of plate, which results in a large trade in second-hand silver; but in all probability is chiefly due to the development of the electro-plate manufacture, which seems to have become fully established in or about 1846, from which date a marked diminution in the yield of the plate duties is to be observed. That the trade in gold and silver articles (as distingushed from the manufacture of plate) is not diminishing is suggested by the returns of the licences granted to plate dealers, the proceeds of which have steadily increased from ;^i 6,898 8s. 6d. in the year ending 1846, to ;"44,2i6 15s. 9d. in the year ending 1878. One evident objection to the duties on plate is to be found in the inequality of their incidence. The list of articles exempted 6d. per oz. on gold

;

from duty is long and apparently capricious. It seems to be based on no principle, except that of the necessity of collecting the duty by means of the Assay Offices, and consequently of "exempting from duty all articles which cannot be assayed without damaging, pre" judicing, or defacing the same," or which are too small to be safely marked." In consequence, a large number of articles in common use, such as chains and bracelets, escape payment of the duty, not because their material is different from similar articles which are liable to duty, but simply because as the goods cannot be Hall-marked, the duty cannot be collected. Again, electro-plate pays no duty, though it is evident that a large amount of silver bullion is used every year in this manufacture. The imposition of a duty bearing so great a proportion to the intrinsic value of the raw material has a tendency to diminish the use of silver as an article of manufacture. Considering all the circumstances connected with this trade, and the importance of promoting the use of silver as an article of manufacture, the Committee recommend the abolition of this duty, both customs and inland, whenever the condition of the revenue will permit. To the principle of compulsorily assaying and marking articles of gold and silver manufacture there are no doubt some objections. It is possible that if the matter were new, and it were for the first


SELECT COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

113

time in contemplation to establish an c^ssay under the control of Government, these objections might prevail. But in this country the system has existed substantially in its present form since the reign of Edward I. Without speculating on its origin, and while making due allowance for its defects, it is established that it has resulted in the creation and the maintenance of a high standard of excellence for all British assayed wares, which has not only raised the reputation of British workmanship at home and abroad, but has also created a large amount of private wealth readily convertible by reason of the guarantees of value which the Hall-marks afford. As far as can be ascertained, every British manufacturer, and by far the largest number of the dealers, cling to the maintenance of the system with marked tenacity. The public do not complain of it. That the foreigner appreciates it, is shown by the fact that, rejecting the theoretical advantage of private marks and personal reputation, foreign watch-cases are sent to this country to be Hallmarked in yearly increasing numbers. Nor should tbe antiquarian or sentimental aspect of the question be altogether disregarded. At any rate this should prevail to the extent of throwing the entire burthen of proof on those who propose the abolition of a system which has worked well for five hundred years. The Committee do not consider that a voluntary or optional system of Hall-marking would be satisfactory. So long as the inland duty on plate is retained, no better means of collecting it than through the assay authorities has been suggested. But the Committee are of opinion that the abolition of the duty need not entail the abolition of compulsory Hall-marking. Watch-cases have been free from duty since 1798, but no difficulty has been experienced in enforcing the Hall-marking laws with regard to them. Assuming that the system of compulsory Hall-marking, with or without the duty, is to be maintained, the Committee proceed to consider the operation of the Acts under which that system is carried on. Since the report of the Committee of 1856 the Assay Office at York has ceased to exist. In other respects the condition of the offices described in that report seems to have continued unaltered. The chief complaint against the operation of the existing law comes from the manufacturers of watches and watch-cases. They have established by evidence that within the last few years a practice has sprung up, and is rapidly increasing, under which foreignmade watch-cases are sent to this country to be Hall-marked with the British Hall-mark, and are afterwards fitted with foreign movements, and are not then unfrequently sold and dealt in as British made watches and they assert that this not only injures their own reputation and lowers the credit of British workmanship, but is conThe Assay trary to the spirit and intention of our legislation. Offices are unable legally to refuse to Hall-mark these foreign watch;

cases

when brought

officials

for assay by registered dealers, though their are practically able to distinguish them from cases of

British manufacture.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

114

That Parliament has recognised the distinction between foreign and British plate is shown by the provisions of an Act 30 & 31 Vict., to be marked before c. 82, s. 24, which requires all imported plate " in order to denote that sale with the letter F in an oval escutcheon, was imported from foreign parts, and was or silver such gold

plate

not wrought or made in England, Scotland, or Ireland." Until the practice of Hall-marking foreign watch-cases sprang British Hall-marks were taken to indicate British workmanthe up, that foreign watches in and your Committee cannot doubt ship, as of British manusold are watch-cases so Hall-marked frequently The Committee are therefore of opinion that all foreignfacture. made watch-cases assayed in this country ought to be impressed with an additional distinctive mark (the lettei" F, by reason of its resemblance to existing marks, is not sufficiently distinctive) indicative of to be altered accordforeign manufacture, and that the law ought ingly-

are further of opinion that the Acts now in be amended in regard to the following matters (a) The assaying authorities should be allowed to return imported articles which are found below standard, instead of breaking them (b) A dome made of base metal should not exup, as at present, clude watch-cases from being Hall-marked, (c) The assay authorities should have power to mark articles which, though standard, have enamel or other metals or substances added for the purposes of ornament only, (d) The lower standards of gold, viz., 15, 12, of and and 9 carats (equal respectively to

The Committee

force require to

:

||ths,

||ths

^ths

pure metal), should be discontinued. A composition containing less than two-thirds of pure metal ought not to be called by the name of that metal, (e) The whole of the Assay Offices should be placed under the direct supervision of the Mint, so that uniform standard of quality shall be guaranteed, (f) So long as a licence duty is maintained it should be levied at a uniform rate. It appears that in 1857 a Bill was prepared by the Commissioners of the Inland Revenue for giving effect to the recommendation of the Committee of 1856, that the Acts relating to the assaying of plate should be consolidated into one Act but this Bill was never laid before Parliament. This is to be regretted. There seems to be a considerable uncertainty in the application of the law in consequence of the number of statutes in which it is found, and the Committee now express their opinion that the consolidation and amendment of the law should be carried out as proposed without ;

further delay.

46 & 47 Victoria, c. 55. Section 10 provides for the assaying and stamping of gold and silver plate imported into Great Britain or Ireland, by an assay office in the United Kingdom, and that the same shall be assayed and marked in the same manner as British plate, but with the addition of the letter F. And this section provides that if the plate is not of the standard quality, it shall be returned to the Customs authority A.D. 1883,


ALLOWANCE OF DRAWBACK

115

and may be exported by the importer but, if he does not do so, the plate shall be cut, broken and defaced. ;

desire to

THE DUTY ON GOLD AND SILVER PLATE ABOLISHED. A.D.

1890.

of the House of

53

&

54 Victoria, cap.

8.

The

Select

Committee

in their report on the Hall-marking of gold and silver in 1879, remarked that the imposition of a duty bearing so great a proportion to the intrinsic value of the raw material had a tendency to diminish the use of such metals as articles of manufacture. Considering all the circumstances connected with this trade, and the importance of promoting the use of

Commons,

silver as mediums of manufacture, the Committee strongly recommended the abolition of this duty whenever the condition of That time having arrived, the Governthe revenue would permit. ment, by the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1890, Part II, provided that on and after the first day of May, 1890, the stamp duties and duties of Customs on plate of gold and plate of silver should

gold and

cease to be payable.

ALLOWANCE OF DRAWBACK ON SILVER PLATE. The following notice was issued by the Inland Revenue to silversmiths with regard to the drawback of duty " Regulations as to claiming drawback of duty on silver plate which is as to every part thereof new and unused, manufactured in the United Kingdom, and which has never left the stock of a licensed dealer. " Plate will be received by the collectors of Inland Revenue for examination at the various Assay Offices on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th June, :

1890.

"

The claimant must produce his current licence dated prior to the 17th April, 1890 also his stock-book or some other satisfactory evidence to prove the date of purchase or manufacture of each article, and prove to the officer's satisfaction that it has never left the stock of a manufacturer or licensed dealer. " Care must be taken that only those articles which have actually paid duty and bear the impression of the duty mark (the sovereign's head) are included in the claim. " Foreign manufactured plate is not included in the claim." Then follows a penalty of ;^500 for making any false state:

ment,

etc.

4 Edward VII, c. 6. It was enacted by this Statute plate or article imported from a foreign part is brought to an assay office in the United Kingdom to be assayed or stamped, the same shall be stamped in such manner as the King by A.D. 1904.

that

when any

in Council may determine. The person bringing such plate or article to be assayed or stamped shall state in writing whether the same was wrought in the United Kingdom- or Ireland or imported from abroad. If it is not known where the plate or article

an order


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

ii6

was wrought, it shall be stamped as if it were imported. Any person makine a false declaration shall be liable to a fine. This Act came into force on November i, 1904. October 24, 1904. Order in Council. " " This Order was published in the London Gazette of October and it further were made for the assaying; 28, 1904, by regulations of foreign gold and silver, and illustrations were given of such hall-marks as should be particular to each assay office. The standard marks to be used in all offices are as follows On foreign gold plate, the carat value of the gold, together with the carat value for the six standard :

:

00

On

75

foreign silver plate for the two standards


HALL MARKS FOR FOREIGN PLATE. Different stamps were to be used

117

by each assay authority, so might be known at which office foreign plate was assayed. These marks are mentioned and illustrated in the notes relating to each Assay Office. Probably a less artistic or worse-drawn series of hall-marks have never been produced, than the series for foreign plate, as promulgated by these two orders, and here redrawn May II, 1906. Order in Council. Under this Order, which was published in the "London Gazette" of May 15, 1906, further regulations were made in relation to the assaying of foreign wrought plate. It was also found expedient to vary the marks to be used by the Assay authorities of London, Sheffield, Glasgow and Dublin. The marks for Birmingham, Chester and Edinburgh were not altered; nor were the standard marks changed. These new marks are noted and illustrated in their proper that

it

places.


QTijt

Stauiiarif.

The English sterling, or silver standard, which term first occurs in the reign of Henry II, was of the fineness of 1 1 oz. 2 dwts. in the pound troy, and 18 dwts. of alloy, and it has remained so, almost without interruption, for mere than six hundred years, with the exception of a period of twenty years, from the latter end of the reign of Henry VIII to the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth, when at one time it was so debased that nine ounces of alloy were actually employed with only three ounces of silver. In the earliest accounts in which the standard of fineness is mentioned, it is always spoken " of as the "old standard of England," or esterling." The Saxon pennies were of the same standard. In computing the standard of gold, it will be observed that the word karat is employed. This term is used by refiners, whereby they certify a certain composition of weights used in assaying and computing of standard gold, and this karat contains either the twenty-fourth part of a pound or the twenty-fourth part of an ounce troy.*

of gold, when first introduced into the coinage, karats, that is, pure gold, and from Henry III to Edward III remained so; it was subsequently 23 karats 3I grains fine, and

The standard

was of 24

half a grain only of alloy. The gold was debased by Henry VIII to 20 karats, but it was raised to 22 karats, which Charles II made standard, and which still continues to be so for coins of the realm. In the reign of Edward IV, A.D. 1477, an Act was passed which ordained that, as the Act had been daily broken in the manufacture of gold wares, the fineness of gold should be fixed at 18 karats, but it was raised again to the standard. One pound or one ounce of standard gold m.ust contain 22 karats of fine gold, i karat of silver, and i karat of fine copper, which together make 24 karats, or one pound or one ounce troy weight. * The karat is a bean, the fruit of an Abyssinian tree called Kuara. This bean, from the time of its being gathered, varies very little in weight, and seems to have been a weight for gold in Africa. In India it is used as a weight for diamonds, as well as in Europe. The orthoIt contains four grains. graphy of this word is varied, and we have, for the sake of uniformity, adopted the way it is spelt on the Continent karat for carat. The term karat or carat appears to have been first used early in the sixteenth century. In France the term denier was used to denote the fineness of silver, in the same manner as we use the word karat for gold. It indeed agrees with the English ounce. The pound is divided into twelve parts, or deniers, and each denier or twelfth part into two ohoJes, or twenty-four grains. :

118


THE STANDARD.

119

Sterling or standard silver contains f | of pure silver and ^5% Silver coins are usually alloyed with copper in the above

of alloy.

proportions, but gold coins, being sometimes alloyed with silver alone, sometimes with silver and copper together, no two sovereigns are of exactly the same colour, the former being of a pale gold, the So long as the bars of gold sent to the Mint to be latter more red. coined contain the correct proportion of pure gold, the nature of the alloy is not a matter of importance to the moneyer. Pure gold and silver are invariable in their qualities, from whatever mines they are produced. The marks for gold of 22 karats and for silver of 1 1 oz. 2 dwts., were, up to the year 1844, the same; hence a great facility was afforded to fraud, and, consequently, many instances occurred. An article of silver of the standard above named, being duly assayed and marked, had only to be gilt, and who but those more skilled than ordinary purchasers could say it was not gold ?

This was changed by 7 & 8 Vict., c. 22, s. 15, which required that all wares of 22 karat gold should be marked with a "crown and the figures 22, instead of the mark of the lion passant," but the operation of this Act did not extend to Scotland or Ireland. lower standard of gold was allowed by an Act, 38 Geo. Ill, c. 69, 1798, which was marked with a crown and the figures 18, instead of the lion passant.

A

In 1854, 17 & 18 Victoria, still lower qualities of gold wares were allowed to be made, of 15, 12, and 9 karats pure gold in 24: stamped with the figures denoting the fineness, without the crown and Queen's head, but not without payment of duty. Gold and silver wares may be assayed at any lawful Assay Office wherever manufactured, without being liable to any forfeiture or penalty imposed by any previous Act. (No particular standard named in this Act, but to be directed by an order from the Privy Council.) This Act is in force throughout the United Kingdom.

The Goldsmiths' Company have unfortunately no jurisdiction over the manufacture of jewellery, hence the spurious nature of a great proportion of the jewellery sold in England; and there is no real security to the public unless the articles have the Hall-mark; or wanting this, purchasers should insist on having the quality of the gold written plainly on the invoice as a guarantee of its genuineness, not only whether it is gold, for this admits of a wide interpretation, but the quality of it is expressed in numerals, as equal to Provided with such an invoice, they have 22, 18, 15, 12, or 9 karats. their always remedy against the jeweller.* the following passage in the " Comedy of Errors" (Act iy, Sc. 1, find that it was the custom in England, in Shakespeare's time, for 27) the goldsmith to place on his invoice the weight, the standard, and the charge *

1.

From

we

for fashion.

Angelo the Goldsmith says

How much The

We

:

" Here's the note your chain weighs to the utmost carat.

fineness of the gold,

and chargeful fashion."

quote this passage as given in most of the editions, which as

it

stands


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

120

the different qualities of gold permitted manufactured into plate jewellery, watches, etc., by the various Acts of Parliament, and stamped accordingly, calculated at the highest Mint price,* is as follows

The value per ounce of

to be

:

s.

karat or pure gold karat (first standard and currency) karat (Ireland only) karat (second standard) karat) 12 karat hince 1854 9 karat)

24 22 20 18 15

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

ALLOY

d.

4 4 11^ 3 17 lOi 3 10 9i 3 3 8^ 13 1 [2 2 5J -{2 (1 11 10*

...

None.

...

2 karat.

...

4

... ... ... ...

,,

6 9

,,

12 15

,,

If these variations in the value of the different qualities of gold were better known or attended to, the public would not so frequently be duped by hishonest tradesmen. Mr. Watherston, in his pamph"Advertisements are somelet "On the Art of Assaying," observes Fine gold chains weighing five times thus ingeniously contrived inferred that the ^ each,' by which it is meant to be sovereigns for while it the as fineness the same is of the chains in sovereigns, gold IS no such thing; and an accurate knowledge of this subject would enable the purchaser to detect the imposition by showing the vendor :

'

:

that five sovereigns would weigh i oz. 5 dwts. \2\ grs., and that sovereigns being standard or 22 karats, the weight of such gold at whereas the the Mint price of 77s. io\d. per oz. would be worth '^, gold in the chain might be only half the fineness, say, 1 1 karats, or = 2 los. Thus 2 los. T oz. 5 dwts. 12\ grs. at 38s. ii|d. per oz. would be obtained for the workmanship of the chain, which charge it was the object of the vendor wholly to conceal."

The Bank of England is bound to buy all gold at ^^"3 17s. lo^d. per ounce. The parliamentary price of gold is only an equivalent denomination; 17s. lo^d. is not the price of an ounce of gold, but is ac'i evidently an incorrect reading. \Ve\cihin(j a chain to its ^limost knrit is By placing the comimpossible, and the charrjeftd fashion incomprehensible. mas aright we arrive at the poet's meaning, and find that three separate items are alluded to in the Goldsmith's note. 1st. How viuch yo\ir chain iceighs, that is always expressed in troy ounces, pennyweights and grains. 2nd. To the utmost karat the fineness of the (jold, the standard or fineness is always computed by refiners in karats or imaginary weights. 3rd. The charrje for Shakespeare's meaning is clearly exfashion, that is the cost of making. piessed in another play, where the Prince saj's i.s

:

"

Therefore, thou best of gold art Avorst of gold Other, less fine in carat, is more precious. Preserving life in medicine potable." Second Part of " King Henry IV " (Act iv, Sc. 5, :

*

1.

161).

A

purcha.ser, in estimating the probable cost of a piece of plate or jewellery, must add to the intrinsic value of the gold, tiie duty paid by the gold.smith of seventeen shillings per ounce on all the standards, of 22 down to 9 karats, if above 10 dwts. (the small articles, and those which cannot be stamped with-

out injuring them, and watch-cases being exempted), the Assay Office fees, and the charge for fasliion or manufacture, Avhich, of course, varies according to the artistic labour bestowed upon the material by the designer, the chaser, and the engraver.


THE STANDARD.

121

cording to the number of gold coins that can be made out of an ounce of gold. This simple fact has not been generally observed. There are five standards for gold, and two for silver. The manufacturer may use either at his cption, informing the authorities at the Assay Office which he has adopted, in each parcel of goods The Higher Standards for Gold are 22 and sent to be assayed. 18 karats of pure metal in every ounce, the ounce containing 24 karats so that in each ounce there may be 2 or 6 karats (one -twelfth The coinage of England is or a quarter of the weight of alloy. of the higher standard, 22 karats. The lower standard is used for :

all manufacturing purposes, except in the case of wedding rings, which are usually made of 22 karat gold. Since 1854, debased gold standards of 15, 12, and 9 karats in the ounce of 24 karats have been legalised. The Standards for Silver are 11 oz. 10 dwts. and

dwts. of pure metal in every pound troy. The higher stanseldom or never used. The silver coinage is of the lower standard. It has been seen that in the year 1697 there was an alteration in the standard of fineness of silver, which was increased from 1 1 oz. 2 dwts. to II oz. 10 dwts. in the pound troy. This better standard was denoted by a change of stamps as follows: (i) The marks of the workers to be expressed by the two first letters of their surnames. (2) The mark of the mystery or craft of the goldsmith which instead of the leopard's head was to be a lion's head erased. (3) Instead of the lion, the figure of a woman, commonly called Britannia, was to be substituted; and (4) distinct variable mark to be used by the warden of the said mystery to denote the year in which such Both these marks were, after 1700, used by the plate was made. provincial Assay Offices, but the lion's head erased was omitted on silver of the new standard at Sheffield and Birmingham. On referring to the minutes of the Goldsmiths' Company, we find that, "on the 29th day of May, 1695, new puncheons were reAnd on ceived, the letter for the year being t in an escutcheon." "the 27th March, 1697, the puncheons for the remaining part of this year (viz., up to the 30th May) were received, being, according to Act of Parliament, a lyon's head erased, a Britannia, and for the letter, the great court A in an escutcheon." 1 1

oz. 2

dard

is

A


122

HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

Table showing the alterations English coins and plate have undergone with respect to weight and fineness, from the reign of William the Conqueror to that of Victoria :

MONEY.

DATK.

PLATE.


THE STANDARD.

123

Majesty's lion" for the first time added as a standard mark. The second change occurred in 1560. Up to that date the escutcheon or encircling- line had taken the form of the date letter; but in the second year of the glorious reign of Queen Elizabeth, when the purity of the coinage was restored to the old standard, for gold of 22 karats, and for silver 11 oz. 2 dwts., a change was made by the Goldsmiths' Company, and the letters were henceforward enclosed in a regular heraldic shield, commencing on Old Christmas Day, viz., January 6, 1561, with the letter D, as shown in our tables. The system of both gold and silver being standard measures of virtue of each being a legal tender to any value, which they were amount, was the source of much disorder; for, as their market prices were always subject to variation, one kind of coin had a constant tendency to drive the other out of circulation. To remedy this great inconvenience, our present monetary system was established fixing gold as the standard. By "The Coinage Act, 1870" (33 Victoria, Chapter 10), it was enacted that, a tender of payment of money, shall be a legal

m

tender

In the case of gold coins for a payment of any amount. In the case of silver coins for a payment not exceeding forty shillings, but for no greater amount. In the case of bronze coins for a payment of an amount not exceeding one shilling, but for no greater amount.

Besides this standard fineness of coins, there is also a legal weight, fixed according to the Mint regulation, or rate of coinage of each country. Thus in England twenty pound's weight troy of standard gold is coined into 934 sovereigns, and one ten shillingpiece, and a pound of standard silver into 66 shillings, with divisions and multiples in proportion; and hence the Mint price of standard gold is ^ 17s. io|d. per ounce, and that of standard silver 66 pence per ounce. The silver coins in circulation are considered only as tokens payable by the Government, and pass for more than their metallic value as compared with gold. Precaution is taken that it shall not be worth while to melt the silver coin into bullion, and it is so nearly worth its current value that imitation would not be ventured, on so small a profit. The Government will always receive back its tokens, however worn they may be, provided they be not wilfully defaced But gold, being the sole standard measor fraudulently reduced. ure of value, and legal tender of payment, circulates as a commodity and hence the necessity of Government receiving it at value on its return to the Mint, and making a deduction for loss of weight when the same exceeds the remedy of the Mint. The wear and tear of the gold coinage is such, that very nearly three per cent of the whole circulation goes out annually; and the quantity which will suffice to throw a sovereign out of circulation is parts, or about one-fourth of a grain. (Woolhouse.) ;

i^^


124

HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

Mr. Freemantle, Deputy Master of the Mint, in his report for amount of gold coined during the ^1,460,000, has again been below the average (which may be year, reckoned at i^5,ooo,ooo), notwithstanding that in 1873 the amount coined was only ;if 3,300,000, as against ;^ 15,000,000 1872, and This diminution in the demand for gold coin ;^i 0,000,000 in 1 87 1. is in a great measure to be accounted for by the magnitude of the coinages just referred to; but it should also be mentioned that the importations into the Bank of England during the year of Australian sovereigns and half-sovereigns, which are now somewhat of the same design as those issued from the Mint in London, are equally legal tender in the United Kingdom, and have been considerable, having amounted to iJ"i, 972,000, and have contributed in a sensible degree towards maintaining the supply of gold coin rethe year 1874, states that "the

m

quired for circulation in this country." It may be here remarked, while speaking of Bank operations, that the Bank of England weighs about 20,000,000 pieces separately and singly in each year, and if each had to be examined to see the date the labour would be trebled. " The natural colour of pure gold is a deep rich orange yellow. If, however, gold is beaten into thm leaves, and placed between the eye and the light, it appears of a green colour. Gold is also green in a molten state at a high temperature. When precipitated from its solutions it assumes a dark brown colour. If the brown precipitate is boiled in concentrated sulphuric acid, it cakes together, and If gold is precipitated as a very fine powder it is becomes red. black; if finely diffused in transparent glass it is violet; and it has been surmised that the colour of rose-quartz is due to a very fine diffusion of gold in that substance." (Lutsc.haunig.)

There are six different ways of giving gold the various shades of colour by means of alloy with other metals. These six colours may be combined and produce all the possible variations, i. Yellow gold, or pure. 2. Red gold, composed of three parts fine gold and one of purified copper. 3. Grass green gold, three parts of pure gold and one of silver. 4. Dead leaf green, half gold and half silver. 5. Sea green, fourteen parts of fine gold, and ten of fine silver. 6. Blueish gold, fine gold melted, in which is thrown a small quantity of iron. Coloured gold (of which cheap jewellery is made) means that the article contains a very small proportion of gold, less frequently than 9 karat gold, or nine parts pure and fifteen alloy out of the twenty-four, which is intrinsically worth about 30s. per ounce. As this debased gold is of a bad colour and wanting in brilliancy, the following operation is adopted, called colouring from the immediate surface of the article the copper is removed, exposing the pure gold only, but this coating of pure gold is not thicker than the looth part of the breadth of a hair. It is the same as if the article were gilt or electro-plated, only that in the one instance the alloy is taken from the gold on the surface, leaving the pure gold, and that in the :


WEIGHTS.

125

other the pure gold is put on. Any bad gold over g karats can be coloured by boiling in nitric acid, or other preparation acting in the same manner. " The bleaching of silver is an analogous operation to the colIf an article of silver alloyed with copper be ouring of gold. heated to a dull red heat, and then quickly dipped in water containing a small proportion of sulphuric acid, the copper will be taken away, leaving the pure silver on the surface as white as snow." (L utschaimig.) To convert gold or silver into grains or granular pieces requires The one procures a pan of cold water the assistance of two persons. and keeps it in movement by stirring it round with a stick, while the other pours the molten metal into it. This sudden transition from heat to cold, and the circular motion of the water, naturally converts the metal into irregularly shaped grains. Filagree is composed of two round threads, so twisted together of a tourniquet that they form but one thread. means by The Loupe or magnifying-glass is a sort of microscope of a simple glass, convex on both sides, or a pair of lenses (convexo convexes) fixed at a certain distance from each other in a frame, with a handle attached. The latter is used by goldsmiths and employes of the Assay Offices to verify the Hall-marks upon gold and silver It is more to be depended upon in a careful investigation, plate. as the whole field within the radius is magnified equally, while the single glass distorts that portion of the object seen towards the For this reason it is preferred by engravers. It is also very edge. useful for examining coins and medals to ascertain whether they are genuine.

The choice of a glass to verify the marks on plate, etc is very important, but it is impossible to establish any positive general rule, since every person must consult his own eyesight. In every case the to be set a flat border or diaphragm, mounted or in glass ought deep to concentrate the rays of light in the centre of the lens. The light should be thrown direct on to the object to render the whole surface The closing of one distinctly visible at one view without shadow. ,

eye during inspection should be avoided as much as possible, as this involuntary habit fatigues the eye without producing any better effect. The glass should be brought near to the eye, or at the most,

only two inches from

it.

WEIGHTS. The weight used by the Saxons was the Colonia or Cologne found of 16 ounces, containing 7,680 grains. This pound was divided into two marks of 8 ounces each, being equal to two-thirds of the Tower pound, still used in Germany. In the time of William the Conqueror the found Troy was introduced of 5,760 grains, as at present used for gold and silver, so called, it is supposed, from being used at Troyes, in France; but this idea is incompatible with


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

126

French name, which denotes a more remote origin, being called Poids Romain." There was another weight in use at the same time called the Tower or moneyer's pound ( pois d'orfevres), by which in consequence of the gold and silver coins were weighed, so called Tower This in the Tower. Mmt pound, which had being principal of 12 ounces of its own, consisted 5,400 grains, being less than the It or three-quarters of an ounce. Troy pound by 15 pennyweights the is still occasionally referred to on the subject of coins, and in its

"

fourteenth and fifteenth cenearly inventories of the thirteenth, the weight turies, such as the Exchequer and Wardrobe accounts, etc., of silver and gold is expressed by pounds, shillings and pence, the pound being subdivided into 20 shillings and 12 pence or pennyof an ounce.* This weights. The shilling represents three-fifths ceased to be a legal Mint weight in the eighteenth year of the reign of Henry VIII, when in 1526-7 the Tower pound was abolished by proclamation and the Troy pound substituted.

Royal

As an example of the manner of expressing weight and Mint value in the fourteenth century, we quote two items from the particulars of a present of plate from the City of London to Edward the Black Prince, on his return from Gascony in 1371

:

"Bought of John de Chicestre, Goldsmith (Mayor in 1369), 48 Esqueles and 24 Salt-cellars, weighing by goldsmith's weight, y6 5s. od., adding six shillings in the pound with the making; 1^ i8s. 9d., which Also, 6 Chargers, weight amounts with the making to 21 7s. 2d.," etc. (Riley's Memorials of London.) These imaginary coins had no exact representation in the coinof Great Britain until long after the period when they were used age merely as moneys of account. The term shilling was used by the Saxon as equivalent to four pennies, but William the Conqueror established the Norman shilling at twelve pennies, yet no positive coin of that denomination was made current until the reign of Henry VII. The mark was a Danish mode of computation introduced in the reign of Alfred, then valued at one hundred pennies, but William the Conqueror valued it at one hundred and sixty pennies, or The pound referred princi13s. 4d., being two-thirds of a pound. pally to weight; the pound of gold or silver meant the value in money, according to the current coins which could be made out of total, i;i09 OS. 9d.

pound weight of either metal. At the time we are speaking of, In the reign silver pennies were the only coins used in England. of Edward III (1327-77) coins of various denominations were introthe

*

This was a source of great revenue, and is thus stated in a MS. relating affairs which is presented in the Collection of the Society of Anti" There is a quaries ^yeight which hath been used in England from the beginin the King's Mints, till of late years, and derived from the Troy weights ning for by the Troy iveight of twelve ounces the merchant bought his gold and silver abroad, and by the same delivered it into the King's Mint, receiving in counterpoise by Tower weight., which was the King's prerogative. Avho gained thereby three-quarters of an ounce in the exchange of each pound weight converted into money, beside the gain of coining, which did rise to a great revenue, making for every 30 lbs. Troy, being a journey of coined money, 32 lbs. Tower." to

Mint

:

:


WEIGHTS.

127

duced groats, half -groats, pennies, half -pennies, and farthings, as well as the gold noble passing at 6s. 8d., its half and quarter. The first sovereign or double rial, coined by Henry VII, passed for Then succeeded, in the time of the Stuarts, the unit or 22s. 6d. pound sovereign of twenty shillings. There was a method of paying and receiving moneys so as to avoid the necessity of counting and weighing each piece separately, occupied in dealing thereby avoiding the loss of time necessarily " with large sums of money. This was termed payments ad sealant" and would be completely answered by the plan, provided the coins were of just weight and undiminished in the course of currency, each being weighed separately on recei-pt, as at the Bank of England, where the practice is still in use. In faying large sums in gold the first thousand is counted and placed in one of the scales, the additional thousands being estimated by weighing them successively This is sometimes adopted at banking in the other scale against it. houses in the present day. In a general way the gold coins are taken indiscriminately from the mass, but instances are recorded certain by which deception has in former times been practised. monk of St. Augustine's in Canterbury, in the fourteenth century, contrived to defraud those who made payments to that abbey, of whose rents he was the receiver, by taking advantage of the unequal manner in which coins were then formed, selecting the heaviest, against which he weighed all the money he received, gaining thereby sometimes five shillings and never less than three shillings and fourpence in every twenty shillings. On discovery of the fraud, however, the abbot and convent were severely fined. Troy weights are now exclusively used in the gold and silver trade, the weights being stated in ounces, and until recently in pennyweights and grains. The troy pound is not used; the troy ounce being the present unit of weight, which in 1879 was divided into decimals. Silver plate is always sold at per ounce. The old series of cup weights or nest set of ounce weights, established in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, are still in use in the City of London, for which there is no standard above 12 ounces, and they are usually made of brass. The Founders' Company claim the right to stamp and verify brass weights after they are made, but they have no power to enforce it. The right is based on a Royal Charter of James II, and a clause in the Weights and Measures Act reserves such, which, however, has

A

frequently been disputed, but no legal decision has been taken upon it. Troy weights marked by the Founders' Company should be stamped at Goldsmiths' Hall, but it is not done now. The legal provisions for stamping troy weights are practically inoperative.

A

set

of old troy standards

still

exists at Goldsmiths' Hall.

The standard brass weight of one pound troy made in the year 1758 is now in the custody of the Clerk of the House of Commons, and is by 5 Geo. IV, c. 74, the established standard, and called 10


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

128

Imperial Troy Pound." Very few troy weights are stamped and till recently they never were. They are sold unstamped but if the Goldsmiths' Company have not the power to enforce the supervision, a clause in some Act of Parliament should forthwith enable them to exercise it legally. It would be a better guarantee to the public. Troy weights are not subject to inspection like the avoirdupois, but although inaccuracy and fraud are seldom met

'The at

all,

;

with, yet goldsmiths' weights are frequently in an unsatisfactory condition, and require official supervision. It seems to us that the more scientific system adopted in France might be carried out advantageously in England. The French regulation requires weights to be marked with the name of the maker and stamped by the appointed inspector; not only this, for every part of a balance is made to a gauge like a watch, and the beams and scales stamped accordingly. Balances are also subject to variation through changes in the humidity of the atmosphere.

A

decimal series of troy ounces are used for bullion, legalised in 1853; but they have not been adopted by the general public, and are not used in the gold and silver trade. At that time the Bank abolished the system of weighing in pounds and ounces, and substituted weighing in ounces and decimals of ounces a more scientific method; but no one in the trade has adopted the system, except in his relations with the Bank. troy weight, gold, silver, jewels, and precious stones are Diamonds and pearls are the exception. They are weighed by the karat, which contains 4 grains but 5 diamond grains are only equal to 4 troy grains, the ounce troy containing 150 dia-

By

weighed.

;

mond

karats.

TROY AVEIGHT. 14 ounces 8 pennyweights 12 ounces 20 pennyweigjits 24 grains 20 mites 24 droits 20 periots 24 blanks

1 lb., avoirdupois weight (7000 grains). 1 pound, troy weight (5760 1

make

1

1 1

ounce (480 grains). pennyweight (24 grains).

grains).

grain.* mite.

1 droit.

1 periot.

The above subdivisions of troy weight are appended to an Act relating to a new coinage passed by the Long Parliament, and it wa.s probably copied from earlier records; but how these infinitesimal fractions were to be used is a mystery, and this Act does not furnish us with the information a blank being about the thirteen hundred and twenty-seventh millionth of a pound troy. These divisions of the grain are in reality only imaginary but there are real weights of decimal divisions to the thousandth part of a grain. ;

*

The grains

ip avoirdupois

and troy weight are

identical.


TABLE OF WEIGHTS.

129

REFINERS' WEIGHTS. A POUND WEIGHT KARAT.

12 ounces 4 grains

.

.

make

24 karats.

1

AN OUNCE KAR.\T. ounce troy makes 24 karats. .

,, ,,

1 karat.

1 grain. 1

.

make

1

karat.

karat grain.

COMPARATIVE TABLE OF TROY AND AVOIRDUPOIS WEIGHTS.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

no

ounce troy remains the same, containing 480 grains, but is now divided decimally into tenths, hundredths and thousandths, so that the thousandth part of an ounce troy is exactly equal to .48 grain, or nearly one-half. It will be seen from this that the exact equivalents in the new bullion and old weights cannot be shown without using decimals or complicated fractions, which being of no practical utility, are omitted in the following table, and only the nearest quarter-fraction inserted, the difference being always less than ^ of a grain. For weighing precious stones, the karat is abolished, and "decimal grain weights" (or the grain troy divided decimally) substituted; 3.17 grains being nearly equal to one karat, and the equivalents being calculated to ^^ th of a karat, as now used. The small sets of troy weights sanctioned by the Act of 1879 are sold in nests of ten, fitting into each other, the divisions being marked thus :

20

.

10

OZ.

OZ.

01. .

5

.

3

or. .

2

.

I

.

_2_

10

With .05

= 24

.oo5

-f^,

_3_ equal to 10 dwts. 10

4 dwts.

loose square weights,

grs.

= 2|grs.

.04

= i9igrs.

.oo4

= 2grs.

.03

^jy

=

2 dwts.

marked thus

:

= i4^grs.

.02

= i|grs.

.oo2

.oo3

6 dwts.

= Qigrs. = igr.

.oi

.001

= 4|grs. =| a

gr.

Table showing the corresponding value of the Old Troy weights lately in common use, and the 'New Decimals legalised in 1879, omitting the fractional parts of grains and dwts.

PENNYWEIGHTS. New Weights.


^issag. Manufacturers of gold and silver are required to register their names and marks which indicate the same (usually their initials) at the Assay Office of their district, and all articles sent in by them to be assayed must be impressed with this maker's mark. If they are then found to have been made in conformity with the appointed regulations, a small quantity, not exceeding eight troy grains in the pound, is to be cut or scraped from them for trial of their purity, according to the standard for which they are required to be stamped. One moiety of the scrapings, or diet, as it is called, to be reserved for the assay, and the other, if the purity prove to be correct, is to be put into that compartment of what is called the diet box which appertains to its standard. The diet boxes from the Assay Offices of Birmingham and Sheffield are proved twice a year at the Royal Mint by the Queen's Assay Master in the presence of an officer appointed by the Lords of the Treasury, and the fineness of the gold and silver must equal the standard trial plates which are kept in the custody of the Warden of the Standards at the Royal Mint. The other provincial Assay Offices are only compelled to do so when required. The method of ascertaining the quantity of pure gold in a given alloy is usually effected by adding to a weighed piece of gold three times its weight of fine silver, called inquartation, i.e., three parts silver to one part of alloyed gold these are wrapped all together in a piece of sheet lead and cupelled, or melted in a crucible called a cupel. All the impurities are thus got rid of, and the button taken from the cupel consists solely of the mixed gold and silver. This button is then flattened on an anvil, and twisted into a screw called a cornet. It is then placed in a bottle with aquafortis, in which it remains for a certain time, muriatic acid being subsequently added to make it stronger. This operation dissolves all the silver, leaving only the pure gold, which after being dried and shrunk, is carefully weighed, and the difference between that and its original weight before cupellation shows the exact quantity of alloy. The assay of silver is more simple. Weigh accurately the piece of silver to be assayed, wrap it in about twelve times its weight of sheet lead, melt the whole in a cupel, which expels all the alloy with the lead, leaving a bead of pure silver. It is again weighed in ^ very sensitive balance, and the allov calculated from the loss :

m

weight. 131


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

132

The assay marks used at the Goldsmiths' Hall of London were ordered to be the letters of the alphabet, changing every year. We do not know with certainty when this plan was first adopted, but it was probably as early as the time when the Goldsmiths' Company were empowered to assay the precious metals, which, according to We can trace these letters their Statute, was in the year 1300 back with a degree of certainty to the fifteenth century. This method of denoting the year in which any piece of plate was made and assayed, by placing upon it a letter of the alphabet, enables us at the present day to ascertain the date of its manufacture, if assayed at the Goldsmiths' Hall of London. Different arrangements of the letters were adopted by the Corporations of other towns, who subsequently had the privilege of assaying granted them. The marks of the principal towns Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Exeter, Chester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Birmingham, we have succeeded in establishing, and they are given in a tabular form through the kindness of the local authorities, who readily accorded leave to examine the records. The Goldsmiths' Hall of London employs the letters A to inclusive (omitting J), forming a cycle of twenty years, the charThese acter of the alphabet being varied every succeeding cycle.

U

letters are changed on May 30 in every year, the office suspending business on the two days preceding, and the diet box being proved on May 29. Each letter is therefore used during the moieties of two calendar years. If an Assay Master divulge any design, or pattern, or secret of the workman whose plate is sent to the Hall to be assayed and stamped, he is liable to a penalty of ;^20O, and to be discharged or if he mark any plate knowingly not of the required fineness. In a work published in 1678, entitled "News from the Goldsmiths, or a Tryal of Gold and Silver Wares," by W. T., a goldsmith, we are told that " There is a certain standard for gold and silver, according to which standard the coins of this kingdom (both gold and silver) are made and as good as that standard, all plate and small wares in gold and silver are to be made, and that there may be no defraud used by making any gold and silver work worse than the standard, there is a very easy and sure way appointed by law for the regulating those wares, the understanding of which may be of signal benefit to all who buy and wear any sorts of gold and silver ware whatsoever. " As to London and the places adjacent, the Company of Goldsmiths hath the oversight of those wares, and the tryal of them committed to them and therefore, three days in the week, there is a trial made of any workman's wares (whose name and mark is inroulled in their Assay Office), and whatsoever works they try and find standard are marked with these marks following first, the workman's mark who made the wares (which is usually the two first letters of his Christian and surname, and every workman's mark differs from other); the second is a leopard's head crowned; the third is a lion; ;

:

:

:

:


ASSAY.

133

is a single letter (the letter which is used this present year (1677-8); and whatsoever plate or small wares have these marks upon them, it is not to be questioned but that they are sterling or standard, that is, as good as money. " But there being several sorts of small wares, both in gold and silver, which cannot be assayed and marked at Goldsmiths' Hall, after they are finished they are therefore sold with the private

the fourth

being

^,

:

workman's mark; and to prevent defrauds in this, all workers in gold and silver, in London and its suburbs, are required by law to make known their marks to the wardens of the Company of Goldsmiths, at their Hall in Foster Lane, that one workman may not strike a mark that is like another workman's and that any persons who have wares marked with the workman's mark only, may, by ;

addressing themselves to the Company of Goldsmiths, find out the makers of their wares; and if the wares which they have marked be found worse than standard, the Company of Goldsmiths will procure the aggrieved party recompense and punish the workman. " The reader cannot but be satisfied of the excellency of this of warranting silver; but I shall show you how it's neglected to way the publick's great wrong. Although the wardens have power to

any goldsmiths' shops and houses, and carry away any works which they shall make choice, to try them, whether they be standard or not, and to fine the owners if they find them worse than standard yet the workers and sellers of gold and silver wares being so numer-

'search

;

ous and dispersed in their dwellings to all parts of the city and suburbs, it is not easy that all their small wares can be found out by the wardens of the Company, to be tryed; they being sold therefore upon the bare workman's or shopkeeper's credit, and they having the marking of these wares themselves there are these evils that do fol;

low

it.

"

I. Some of their wares are not marked at all, though they may very well bear marking (whereby they are forfeited, though they be standard). " 2. Some of their wares are marked with private marks, which are not inroulled at Goldsmiths' Hall For some of them who have a mark inroulled at Goldsmiths' Hall will have another mark not inroulled; which mark they will set upon adulterated wares: and this counterfeit mark shall be so like the inroulled mark, that it will not be known to be the unlawful mark by any that doth not know what marks are inroulled and what are not; for there is only this difference as if ^ (one over the other) is the mark inroulled at Gold" smiths' Hall, then P.B." (one by the other) may be the counterfeit " mark or if S." be the inroulled mark, then " I.S." may be the counterfeit, or any other way, according to the workman's device," etc. The following extract from the " Touchstone for Gold and Sil" ver Wares will show what marks were in use in 1677, and the views of the writer, himself a goldsmith, on the subject of marks "The Company of Goldsmiths have caused to be made (according to the aforesaid statutes and their Charter) puncheons of steel and marks at the end of them, both great and small, of these several :

:

:

:

.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

134

sorts of following, that is, the leopard's head crowned, the lyon; and a letter, which letter is changed alphabetically every year. The reason of changing thereof is (as I conceive) for that by the afore-

said recited statutes

it is

provided. That

if

any

silver

work that

is

worse than sterling be marked with the Company's mark, the Wardens and Corporation for the time being shall make recompence to the party grieved, so that if any such default should happen, they can tell by the letter on the work in what year it was assayed and marked, and thereby know which of their own officers deceived them, and from them obtain a recompence. These marks are every year made new for the use of the new wardens; and although the assaying is referred to the Assay Master, yet the Touch Wardens look to the striking of the marks. " They have also made in a part of their Hall, a place called by them the Assay Office, wherein is a sworn weigher. His duty is to

weigh all silver work into the office, and enter the same into a book kept for that purpose, and also to weigh it out again to the owner only four grains out of every twelve ounces that are marked are, according to their ancient custom, to be retained and kept for a reassaying once in every year, before the Lords of the Council, in the Star Chamber at Westminster, and before a jury of twenty-four able Goldsmiths, all the silver works they have passed for good the year ;

foregoing. " In this office

is kept for public view a Table or Tables, artithat is to say, one column of hardened columns, ficially lead, another of parchment or velom, and several of the same sorts. In the lead column are struck or entered the workers' marks (which are generally the first two letters of their Christian and surnames),

made

in

and

right against them in the parchment columns are writ and entered the owners' names, according to the intent of the words in the statute (2 Henry VI, 14), to wit, 'And that the sign of every Goldsmith be knozvn to the Wardens of the Craft' which said wardens' duty is to see that the marks be plain and of a fit size, and not one like another, and to require the thus entering the said marks, and also the setting them clear and visible on all gold and silver work, not oYily on every work, but also on every part thereof that is

wrought apart, and afterwards soldered and made

fast thereto, in

finishing the same."

The same work gives an engraving of the marks used by the Goldsmiths' Company for the year 1676, viz., the Leopard's Head crowned, the Lion passant, and the Old English Letter T of a peculiar form, being like an L, but evidently intended for the former, as the same is used at the head of each page in the word " Touchstone."

The

letter is

enclosed in a pointed shield.

(See Cycle

10.)

Hence we observe that tables were kept in public view in the Assay Office of the stamps of all the gold and silver plate makers their signs being struck or punched on a strip of hardened lead, their names being written at length on parchment columns immediately opposite and this plan of striking the signs appears to have ;

;


ASSAY

135

been adopted and continued since 1423. Unfortunately none of these tables has been preserved; but one very interesting relic of the custom is in existence, namely, a large sheet of copper closely stamped with makers' signs only of large and small sizes, but nothing is known of the names of the workers who used them.

The

s'ze of this copper plate is twenty-four by eighteen inches, inscription on a tablet underneath is as follows " On the above PLATE are the MARKS from WORKMEN taken at this OFFICE Prior to the Fifteenth of April, A.D. 1697, of which not any other Entry is to be found." With the permission kindly given by the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the Goldsmiths' Company, we are enabled to It will be rememgive, in this work, a copy of this important tablet. bered that 1697 was the date of the Act of Parliament ordering the new standard of 11 oz. 10 dwts., and altering the marks from the lion and leopard's head to a figure of Britannia and the lion's head erased, and that the makers' marks were ordered to be the two first Before that period the mark or sign of letters of their surnames. the workman was left to his own fancy, using a device or monogram of his own choice; and that the sign of every goldsmith should be known to the Wardens of the craft, it was struck upon a copper plate which hung in the Assay Ofiice. By a comparison of the makers' marks to the plate with pieces of silver bearing corresponding stamps and the letter denoting the year, we may safely assume that it was first used on February 23, 1675, the date of the Goldsmiths' Order (see p. 83), and is the identical table therein referred to for the plate-workers to strike their marks upon, and continued to be used for that purpose until April 15, 1697, when the new standard

and the

:

was adopted.

From

April

15, 1697,

the stamps were regularly placed against

names and date of entry and these records are fairly preserved in volumes, bound in parchment, in the Goldsmiths' Hall, the makers'

;

London.

A clause in

&

"

18 Victoria, cap. 96, directs that Gold and Silver Wares may be assayed at any lawful Assay Office, wherever manufactured, without being liable to any forfeiture or penalty imposed by any previous Act."

the Act 17

DIRECTIONS FOR ASSAYING. Assaying is the only method by which the real value of bullion can be ascertained; and about twelve grains of gold and one pennyweight of silver in cuttings or scrapings are sufficient for either. These must be rolled up in a piece of paper, about six inches long and three broad, turning in the corners to prevent the pieces dropping out, and the owner's name written upon the top. This paper must then be carried to an Assay Master, who will make his report in some of the underwritten characters, which compared with the scale will give the exact value per ounce.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

136

^ Hij

W

and B' f \ with meaning Worse or Better than Standard. The first stands for 1 ounce, the second 10 dwts., the third 5 dwts., those with the dots I dwt. each, ob (obulus) half -penny weight, the others for quarters Assayers' marks are

7 ^

oi

.

as usual.

Gold assays are reported in karats, three-quarter grains, half and quarter grains, and are thus expressed i kar. i gr. |Thus gold found to be 23 karats 2 grains fine is reported " Better karat 2 grains"; and gold of 20 karats 2 grains is reported " Worse karat 2 grains." Silver assays are reported in ounces, pennyweights, and halfoz. ( =:i> ti 00 (Ede.) pennyweights, and are thus expressed The standard for silver means 222 parts or pennyweights of grains,

.

:

I

I

:

i

pennyweights of copper, weighing together 240 parts or pennyweights, equal to one pound troy thus if silver has 19 parts of copper to 221 of fine silver, the Assayer reports i dwt. worse. If the silver alloy, on the other hand, contains only 17 parts of copper to 223 of fine silver, the report says, i dwt. belter. fine silver to 18 parts or

:

The more rational way of reporting the quality of silver is in millims or thousandth parts of a unit. So, for instance, an alloy of 9 parts silver to i part copper would be 900 millims, 1%%%, and our English standard of ||^ would be equal to 925 millims. The assay report for gold is also generally made with reference to standard, or '~^, that is 22 parts or karats of gold to 2 parts or karats of alloy (silver, copper, or of both), stating the number of karats under or above standard as so much worse or better. As, however, the goldsmith always turns the report into iine, that is, so many karats of pure gold out of the 24, it seems the most rational to report in the

manner most comprehensible, and

to say, for

Gold is also ple, instead of 4 karats worse, 18 karats iine. in millims (milUhnes), in the same way as silver. in

I

Parting Assays are reported pound troy. For example

in

exam-

reported

ounces of fine gold or silver

:

Gold

.

.

.

Silver This means, that of 12 .

.

.

oz

dwt.

8

3

10)

2

12

oj

oz.

which make

gr. .

'"

^

P""^ i

^'^^y-

pound

troy of the

alloy, 8 oz. 3 dwts. 10 grs. are gold and 2 oz. 12 dwts. silver, the remaining i oz. 4 dwts. 14 grs. being base metal. (Lutschaunig.) The decimal assay is always noted in the assay report as a memorandum, but never enters into the calculations of the value. It is not used as between the Bank and the public.

The millieme system of reporting assays in France goes to the ten-thousandth part, but experience shows that accuracy cannot practically be attained to that nicety. Assays may be relied upon to the millieme; but beyond that it is hardly safe, in consequence of difference between the different assayers it is barely possible to assay closer than -^ of the millieme. ;


ASSAY.

:

WASTE AND SWEEP.

137

ASSAY BY MEANS OF THE SPECTROSCOPE. Before concluding our account of the Assay Offices of the United Kingdom, we may here briefly notice the new system of assay of the precious metals by means of the spectroscope, recently Experiments have proposed by Mr. J. Norman Lockyer, F.R.S. been conducted at the Mint to ascertain the practicability of the scheme and determine whether it would be possible to adopt it. Mr. Roberts, Chemist of the Mint, expresses an opinion that by the aid of the spectroscope differences of composition more minute than the Tooou^h part might be readily distinguished. The Deputy Master of the Mint (Mr. C. W. Fremantle), in his report for the year 1873, states that he had requested Mr. Roberts to render every assistance to Mr. Lockyer in developing a process

of quantitative spectrum analysis, which might with advantage replace the methods of assay, or at any rate of verification, in use at the Mint. Experiments conducted by Mr. Lockyer and Mr. Roberts were continued throughout the early part of the year, and the results were communicated in a paper to the Royal Society, who have dir" ected their publication in the As, Philosophical Transactions." however, these researches were of the nature of laboratory experiments merely, it became necessary to conduct a series under conditions more nearly approaching those which would occur in actual practice, and instructions were given that such experiments should be conducted in the Mint itself. Instruments have been obtained, and arrangements have now been completed for this branch of the work.

WASTE AND SWEEP. The sweep is composed of cinders or dust from the forge, the sweepings of the workshop, broken crucibles, the dross which adheres to the ingots of metal after fusion, and of every waste which can possibly contain minute particles of gold and silver, which had escaped the notice of the workman, or had become dispersed and lost in the manipulation of the metals. This sweep is washed over a fine hair sieve, and the more perceptible portions of metal separated and refined but the remainder is called by the French les regrets, yet contain impalpable particles, and is usually sold to persons who have the necessary utensils and appliances, and who, by means of mercury mills, about the size of a coffee mill, burning it in the crucible, and by the employment of fluxes of saltpetre, etc., are able to extract whatever metal may remain. It is then cupelled to determine the proportions of gold and ;

silver eliminated in the process.

In large establishments the waste and sweep form a considerable item. may especially notice the coinage operations at the London Mint. The large gold coinage which commenced in 1871,

We

and was

finished in June, 1873, amounted to ,^24,500,000 sterling. of the metal actually deficient during the operation was

The value


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

138

;63,826 7s. lod., or

156

3s.

yd. per million.

The sweep, weighing

more than twenty-six tons, was sold for 2,/^!^ los. The loss, thereIt was confore, was sy 12s. 5d. per million. 1,411 17s. iod.,.or sidered by the authorities at the Mint that if the operation had been conducted there, the sum realised would not compensate them for the loss of time and labour necessary for the purpose.

THE TRIAL OF THE PYX AND STANDARD TRIAL PLATES. The

origin of the custom of the Trial of the Pyx is lost in obThe first statutory mention of it is in the Act of the first scurity.* year of the reign of Edward III. The examination was then deThe pyx (ttu^is) is a box or chest, creed, as of old time ordained. like an iron safe, divided into three compartments, two for silver coins and one for gold, secured by three intricate locks, each opened by different keys, which are entrusted to distinct officials of differIn the lid are three carefully protected apertures, ent departments. through which the coins are dropped, and when full, the fact is notified by the Master of the Mint to the Privy Council, and it is then examined in the presence of the Lord Chancellorf and other high functionaries of the State, the Master and Wardens of the Goldsmiths' Company, and a jury of freemen goldsmiths selected by them. No stated times are appointed, but usually the trial takes place every five or six years.

Each milling of gold " "

or silver, and its subsequent coinage, is or day's work. These journeys formerly were to mean the melting of 15 lbs. of gold, or 60 lbs. of silver, but now they vary in amount; and from each batch, whether large or small, specimen coins of every denomination that have been made from it are deposited in the pyx, marked with the date and value of the journey from which they are selected. The oath being administered to the Jury by the King's Remembrancer, they are addressed by the Lord Chancellor upon the importance of their functions, and the officers of the Mint are virtually given into their custody, until by finding the correctness of the com submitted to their assay, both in weight and fineness, they should deliver their verdict of acquittal, and give the officers their quietus. The assay formerly took place in a room at the Exchequer, fitted up with furnaces, crucibles, tests,

termed a supposed

but

etc.,

journey

now

as follows *

The

Edward

I,

:

it

is

done

the whole

first

at Goldsmiths' Hall.

mass of gold and

known writ

for a Trial of the

The

actual process

silver coin in the

Pvx

pyx

is

is

dates from the time of

1281.

+ Several royal and distinguished personages have in former times presided at the Trials of the Pyx. In 1611, James I, attended by Henry, Prince of Wales in 1669, Charles IJ, attended by the Duke of York and Prince Rupert and four years later, Prince Rupert,' himself a scientific chemist, presided. From 1717 to 1870 the Tx)rd Chancellor always presided, except in 1787, when the Right Honourable William Pitt was the president. ;

;


TRIAL OF THE PYX.

139

rolled under enormous pressure into two distinct ingots; a piece is then cut off the end of each, and rolled into a long and narrow plate, about the thickness of a shilling; a number of small pieces are then cut off each plate, and after being weighed with the strictest accuracy, are assayed in the usual manner, and the results compared with the standard trial pieces brought from the Exchequer, where they are always preserved. In the Annual Report of the Deputy Master of the Mint (C. W. " The Annual Trial of the Pyx was Fremantle, Esq.), he observes held at Goldsmiths' Hall on the 17th July, 1873, when the gold and silver coins struck at the Mint during the preceding twelve months were subjected to the rigid examination rendered necessary by the passing of the Coinage Act of 1870, which, by prescribing the standard weight and fineness of each coin, makes it necessary for the jury of the Goldsmiths' Company to pronounce their verdict, not only upon the correctness of the coins as weighed and assayed in bulk, but also upon the w^eight and fineness of any individual coin which they may select for trial. The amount of coinage under examination was ;"i 1,235,000 of gold coin, and ;"i, 597,000 of silver coin; and of the six sovereigns and three half-sovereigns examined, five coins were found to be of the exact standard of fineness, 916.6, etc., the greatest variation from standard being only Tonocrth part. The result of the examination as regarded the weight of the gold coins and the weight and fineness of the silver coins was equally He continues satisfactory." " There are few points connected with the operations of coinage of greater importance than the maintenance of accurate standards, by reference to which the fineness of coin may be determined and the integrity of a metallic currency guaranteed. From the first introduction of a gold coinage into this country in the reign of Henry III, whose coins were 24 karats fine, or pure gold, there have always been fiducial pieces with which the coin could be compared and the changes which have been from time to time made in the fineness of the coinage have always been accompanied by the establishment of standards intended to contain the exact proportion of precious metal prescribed by law. Fragments of ancient trial plates representing the various changes made, are still preserved in the :

:

'

'

;

Mint, and have been examined under my directions. " Having pointed out in my First Annual Report that the gold standard trial plate prepared in 1829, and then in use, was below the exact standard of fineness, and further, that it might be well to supplement it with a plate of fine gold, the Board of Trade took the necessary steps for the preparation of new standard plates both of fine gold and silver, and for supplementing them with plates of fine metal, and the preparation of them was undertaken at the Mint, and verified by the Goldsmiths' Company. The bar of standard gold was rolled into a plate and assayed carefully at different parts. It weighed 72 ounces. The silver trial plate weighed 104 ounces. It should be borne in mind that, as portions of the plate are distributed to the provincial Assay Offices in the country, and to the


HALL MARKS ON PLATE,

140

Indian and Colonial Mints, both their preparation and verification are matters of the highest importance." W. C. Roberts, Esq., Chemist of the Mint, in his report for the a statement of the results of year 1873, has given in a tabular form of the anassays which he had made to ascertain the composition The earliest cient trial plates, with some remarks as to their history. Edgold trial plate of which there is any record was made in 17 i a ward IV, 1477. Its fineness is 23 karats 3^ grains, and only karat alloy, which was principally silver. When gold coins were first introduced into England by Henry III, in 1257, they were 24 karats fine; that is, pure gold. Edward III, in 1345, was the first to The next is of 22 karats, issued by use the standard of this plate. Henry VIII. A trial plate of 1553 of 23 karats io| grains bears the X GRE DEMI FYNE following inscription STAN OF XXIII KARE " " PRYVE MARKE 4>. It has no date, but the pry ve marke (a pomegranate) is the same as that borne by the sovereigns and angels issued by Mary in this year. There are three of Elizabeth of 22 karats and 23 karats 3^ grains; one of James I, 1605, of 23 karats 3| grains; the first year of the Commonwealth, 1649, 22 karats; Charles II, 1660, of 22 karats. Since this date 22 karats has continued standard. The other trial plates are of 1688, 1707, 1728 and 1829, and the new trial plates made in 1873, one of 22 karats, the other of pure gold. Silver trial pieces of the same dates are preserved, which, with " " two exceptions as standards for Ireland much debased, were of the present standard, 11 oz. 2 dwts. These trial plates are in charge of the Warden of the Standards at the Royal Mint. " Mr. Roberts says It is evident that, although the standards of fineness were always prescribed by law, the trial plates have nevertheless at times been very inaccurate. The imperfections of the gold plates are mainly due to sources of error, which had been recognised, but which were ignored when the last plates were made and it is well to explain, therefore, that plates were in former times authoritatively pronounced to be 'standard' simply with reference to the results of an inaccurate process of assay. The process now consists in submitting an accurately weighed portion of the alloy to a rapid method of chemical analysis, whereby impurities are elimin.

:

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

:

;

ated, and the precious metal, thus purified, is again weighed; but the method is complicated, and the accuracy of the result may be affected by the retention of impurities, or by an actual loss of metal

during the process.

The weight of gold

will, in consequence, not represent the

as indicated by the balance amount originally present in

the alloy, and it is therefore necessary to control the 'standards' or check pieces, the composition of which is known. As, however, any error in the composition of these checks will be reflected in the result of the assay, it is preferable to use pieces of pure metal corresponding in weight to the amount which the alloys to be tested are anticipated to contain. Formerly such checks of pure metal

were not employed, and a small amount of silver, varying from To^uo^h to xoTJO^h part of the initial weight of the assay piece which


AMOUNT OF PLATE ASSAYED

141

remained in association with the gold was consequently reckoned as gold in the assay report. It follows, therefore, that even the more recent plates, when accurately assayed, are usually found to be sensibly below the exact standards which they were intended to represent."

The amount of gold and silver plate assayed and the Assay Offices for seven years ending May 29, 1 872

marked

:

London

.

Chester Exeter Newcastle .

.

Gold, 3926 lbs. 2 oz. 8 dwts. 8 grs. Silver, 692,528 lbs. 3 oz. 11 dwts. Total, 715 lbs. weight of silver plate. Total, 2800 lbs. weight of silver plate. Total, 7266 lbs. weight of silver plate.

at


CJjt lilts6 George

A

duty of sixpence per ounce troy which should be imported or made Goldsmiths to keep scales and weights. in Great Britain. A.D. 1756. 29 George II. Owners of plate to pay a duty of to be 5s. annually for 100 ounces; los. for 200 ounces; and so on A.D.

17 19.

was imposed on

I.

all silver plate

entered at the Office of Excise. Plate belonging to the Church, or stock in trade of goldsmiths,

exempt.

The previous Act was re1757. 31 George II, c. 32. in lieu thereof a licence of forty shillings substituted, to be taken out by every person trading in, selling, or vending gold or silver plate, and the licence to be renewed annually. A.D. 1758. The licence was increased to 32 George II, c. 14. ;^5 per annum for every person trading in gold plate of two ounces, A.D.

pealed, and

silver of thirty ounces and upwards. Persons dealing in gold of less weight than two pennyweights of gold, or in silver not exceeding five pennyweights, in one piece of goods, exempted.

and and

silver, A.D.

1784.

24

George

An

III.

Act was passed imposing an

additional duty of eight shillings per ounce on gold plate, and sixpence per ounce on silver plate. It was also enacted that the wardens or their assay masters should mark the pieces with a new mark, viz., the King's head, over and above the several other marks directed "

by law. The expression, The King's Head," is understood to mean the representation of the head of the reigning sovereign. After the passing of this Act, which came into operation on December i, 1784, a duty stamp of the King's head incuse was used for a short period. find it in conjunction with the letter i of There were several pieces 1784, and also with the letter k of 1785. of plate in the late Dr. and Mrs. Ashford's possession of the latter year, k and head incuse, viz., a cake-basket, pepper-box, and some

We

spoons.

The Duty Act of 1784 (24 Geo. Ill, c. 53) directs that all gold and silver plate intended for exportation shall be stamped at the Assay Office, when the drawback is allowed, with a punch of the figure of Britannia; and to distinguish it from the similar mark used for the new standard, it was stamped incuse. It was of short duration, for the manufacturers objecting to the number of stamps and consequent disfigurement of the plate, that part of the Act reM3


THE DUTY.

143

lating to the drawback stamp was repealed in the following year, 1785 (25 Geo. Ill, c. 64), and took effect on July 24 of that year; so that the incuse Britannia denoting the drawback was only in use

about seven months.

Upon the exportation of plate (except gold rings and wares under two ounces) a drawback of the whole duty is allowed if the plate be new and has never been used, and the same has been wrought in the United Kingdom. In 1797 the duty on gold was 8s. per ounce, and silver is. In 1803 the former Act of 1784, as regards the licence, was repealed, and new licences appointed. For trading in gold more than 2 pennyweights and under 2 ounces, and in silver over 5 ounces and under 30 ounces, 2. 6s. per annum for 2 ounces and above, and for The same year the 30 ounces and upwards, ^ 15s. per annum. duty was increased on gold to i6s. and silver is. 3d. per ounce. In 181 5 the duties were raised on manufactured gold to 17s. per ounce, and silver is. 6d. per ounce, allowing one-sixth of the weight for waste in finishing, called the rebate; watch-cases being ;

exempt by 38 Geo.

Ill,

c.

24.

In this year (181 5) the licences for dealing in gold and silver were raised to double the amount specified by the Act of 1803, viz., ;;^ii, los. for gold above 2 ounces and silver above 30 ounces, and the minor trading. the actual weight of the silver of one-sixth was equal to a rebate of 3d. per ounce on unfinished plate, reducing the duty to is. 3d. instead of is. 6d. per ounce, as an allowance for v/aste in finishing. On some articles, such as flat dishes, or waiters, the rebate scarcely covered the loss in finishing. On other articles the manufacturer realised a small profit, amounting to between a

^

I2S. for

The deduction from

penny and twopence per ounce, which ought, perhaps, to be looked upon as a sort of discount, as the maker paid the duty long before, in many instances, he recouped it again when the article is sold. The rebate of one-sixth in gold articles reduced the actual duty paid to 14s. 3d. instead of 17s. per ounce, so that on wedding rings, allowing for waste in finishing, there would, perhaps, be a profit of 2s. per ounce. Plate in an unfinished state when sent to the Hall to be assayed was subject to the full duty of is. 6d. per ounce, no rebate being allowed. By the 12 and 13 Victoria, c. 80, the allowance to the Hall for collection of the duty is fixed at one per cent. All gold, so called, whether of 22 and 18 karats fine, or the debased gold of 15, 12, or g karats in the 24, must pay the full duty, and be stamped accordingly. Wedding rings pay duty of whatever weight and quality they may be. Gold plate of any weight must pay duty. The weight of an article does not determine whether it is liable, and only articles specially exempted may be assayed and marked duty free. Articles not weighing 10 dwts. each are only exempted when they are too small or too thin to bear the marks. In 1890 the duty of is. 6d. per ounce on silver plate was abol-

II


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

144

was retained, and ished, but the duty of 17s. per ounce on gold of the with the marked as before sovereign's head to denote stamp the abolition of the duty on of For thereof. particulars payment silver the reader is referred to page 1 1 5 ante. and heavy masses of plate has entirely commencement of this century, such as dinner although the number of plate-workers has not de-

The fashion

for large

gone out since the services, etc.,

creased, the articles manufactured being usually of comparatively small character. The introduction of electro-plating has had considerable influence in diminishing the employment of silver in plate. Mr. Prideaux, Secretary of the Goldsmiths' Company, in his examination before the Committee on the Gold and Silver Hall-Marking, in the year 1878, handed in the following return of the duty on manufactured plate at Goldsmiths' Hall for seven decennial periods

from 1808

to 1878.

stated that it proved that the falling-off of the trade was to the use of electro-plate, which was introduced attributable greatly about 1843 or 1845, and got in full swing about 1848, when it will be observed that the duty on silver had decreased from ^^72 1,949 sterling in 1828 down to ;^487,633 in 1858, still dropping down to the present time.

He

AMOUNT OF DUTY RECEIVED AT GOLDSMITHS' HALL, LONDON, FROM APRIL 1, 1808, TO MARCH 31, 1878.


LICENCES. GOLD AND SILVER PLATE DUTY AND DEALERS' LICENCES FROM

145 1720

TO

1882.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

146

o

CO

00

10

00

c

pi

"3d

w

oQ

S o C3

K*^

00

1^ K < o ^

00

O

00

<M

o

t-

r

CC

I

S6

a5

OQ

^

a:

00

O

00 9j

CO

-P i-H

00

-^

"

10 5fi

P5S

o

;^

^

CO

P5

TS

<

S5

CO

O O ^

00

o s

>^

gs o H M

CO

-<*

(M

00

CO

00

U3

05 I

':3

^

o

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ENACTMENTS AND NOTICES.

14/

ENACTMENTS. Makers of plated

13 George III, c. 52; 24 George III, c. goods in Sheffield must not put letters on them unless they 20.

have first been approved by and registered with the Company. 6 & 7 William IV, c. 69. Makers of plated goods in Scotland must not put letters upon them.

NOTICES TO THE TRADE. The following Notices to the Trade have been issued from the Assay Office, Goldsmiths' Hall, signed by Mr. William Robinson, the Deputy Warden :

London, October

11,

1880.

"

I beg to refer you to the following extract from a letter Sir, received from the Secretary of the Board of Inland Revenue, in 'As regards reference to the payment of duty on plain gold rings plain gold rings, not intended for chasing or engraving, the Board adhere to their determination, that they must be regarded as wed:

ding rings and duty paid accordingly.'

"

"Assay Office, Goldsmiths' Hall, ''December, 1881.

"All plain gold

rings, irrespective of weight, not intended to with stones, or to be chased or engraved, will be regarded as wedding rings for the purposes of duty. By order of the Board of Inland Revenue,"

be

set

"Assay Office, Goldsmiths' Hall, ''August, 1882. "

Referring to the Notice issued from this Office in December, is hereby further given that all plain gold rings, irreof spective weight, not intended to be set with stones, or to be chased or engraved, will be regarded as wedding rings for the purposes of duty, and must be sent to Goldsmiths^ Hall to be assayed and marked before sale. By order of the Board of Inland Revenue. 1881, notice

"Wm. Robinson, Deputy

We may

likewise mention that the duty

mourning rings when sent

is

Y/arden."

no longer levied on

to be assayed and marked. It was disin October, 1878, by an order from the

continued to be charged Board of Inland Revenue. So that now all rings (other than plain gold rings irrespective of weight) are exempted from duty and compulsory Hall-marking.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

148

EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. A-ppomted to inquire into the manner of conducting the several Assay Offices in London, York, Exeter, Bristol, Chester, Norwich, and Newcastle-upon-Ty7ie, ordered to be printed in 1773. "

The Report commences, that in order to discover in what manner the several Assay Offices in London, Chester, Exeter, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne (being the only Assay Offices which they find are now kept up in this kingdom) have been conducted, ordered the Assay Masters to attend them, and produce an account of the number of Goldsmiths, Silversmiths, and Plate-Workers, etc. the names and places of abode of those now living that have entered their marks, also an account of the weight of all the gold and silver plate assayed and marked at each office for seven years last past." From this it appears that the offices at York, Bristol and Norwich were not then in operation. As to the Goldsmiths' Hall, London, Mr. David Hennell, Deputy Warden, stated that there are at the said office two weighers, four drawers, and two assayers; and described what their duties were. Mr. Fendall Rushworth, Senior Assay Master; Mr. George Fair, Clerk to the Company and Mr. Richard Collins, Fireman and Drawer, were also examined as to the annual diet tried on May 28, the modes of assay, etc. Mr. ^V. Hancock, a silversmith of Sheffield, said that his work had been injured by scraping; and he went to the Hall, and gave some drink to the Assay Master and scraper, since which time his Mr. Spilsbury said that drawers or plate had been less damaged. scrapers, if inclined, had opportunities of delivering to the assayer better silver than they scrape from the work; that the assayer had an opportunity of wrapping in lead what scrapings he pleased, to put upon the cupels which he delivered to the fireman; and as the standard mark is put upon the silver by the report of the assayer alone, he had opportunities of favouring any silversmith he pleased; that he had several times treated the workmen with drink; and thought it of consequence to be on good terms with the scrapers, as they had the power of showing favour for when his plate had been objected to, he had known those difficulties removed by eiving^ ^ ^ liquor at the Hall. As to the office at Chester, Mr. John Scasebrick, the Assay Master, described the mode of operating if pieces came from which he ;

;

:

could cut

bits,

he did so;

if not,

he scraped

off sufficient for the

Sometimes

it is

assay

and wrapped it m lead, and when the furnace and cupels were hot enough he refined the assay, but no flux was used, because the lead refined it. If it came out 1 1 ounces 2 dwts. fine silver, it was marked with the hon, the leopards head, the city arms (being three lions and a wheatsheaf ), and the letter for the' year, the letter for the official

year (1772-3) being U.

present

passed at

11 oz

but


COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

149

then the owners are written to to be more cautious for the future. He had no fixed salary his profit never amounted to ;!^io in any one year the diet was never sent to the Tower to be assayed. When asked how he knew when silver was sufficiently assayed, he an" We know by the assay it first has a cap over it, then that swered works off in various colours; and after that it grows quite bright, and then we know all the lead is worked away." Mr. Matthew Skinner, Assay Master at Exeter, described the mode of work. When asked to describe his method of assaying " I take a small quantity of silver from each piece silver, he said (the quantity allowed by Act of Parliament is eight grains from every pound troy weight), which I weigh by the assay pound weight I wrap it up in a thin sheet of lead, and when the furnace is properly heated, the assays are put in and fired off they are taken out when cool, and then weighed, and from the waste we ascertain the goodThat the standard for plate is 11 oz. 2 dwts. of fine silver, ness. and 18 dwts. of alloy, but they allow a remedy of 2 dwts. in the pound. That the marks he strikes upon wrought plate are the lion, the leopard's head, the Exeter mark (which is a castle), and the letter for the year; that the letter for the present official year (1772-3) is Z, in Roman character; that the letter is appointed annually, at the first Hall meeting after the 7th August, and goes through the whole will be the letter for next year." alphabet; and that Mr. Matthew Prior, Assay Master of the Goldsmiths' Company " at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, described his mode of assaying That of silver by fine lead and his flux for gold was aquafortis, fine silver and lead. That he puts four marks upon the plate, viz., the lion, the leopard's head, the three castles, and the letter for the year; and that the letter for the present official year (1772-3) is D." Mr. David Hennell described a fraud which was sometimes attempted by dishonest workers, called a convoy, to deceive the asHe said: "If scrapings or cuttings are taken from different sayer. pieces of the same sorts of plate, the whole mass so cut or scraped may prove standard, but several of these pieces may not be stan;

:

:

:

;

;

A

:

;

and that it amount of 10,

dard

common

to put good pieces in spoons, etc., to or 15 dwts. above standard amongst the bad ones, as a kind of convoy for the rest; but if that is suspected, they separate it, and make different assays of all the parts, and if they find one part worse than standard they break the whole." Another fraud spoken of by several witnesses was inserting iron, brass, etc., in the handles of snuffers, tankards, sauce-boats, etc., which had escaped detection at Goldsmiths' Hall, and had been

the

;

is

12,

marked accordingly.

An appendix to this report contains the names and places of abode of all the goldsmiths, silversmiths, and plate-workers then living, that have entered their marks in the Assay Office in Goldsmiths' Hall, in the City of London, March 8, 1773. The names and trades of the then present wardens and assayers of the Goldsmiths' Company, and when, at what times, and by whom they were respectively elected.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

I50

The oath taken by the Assay er at Goldsmiths' Hall. The Appendix also contains an account of the prosecutions which had been commenced and carried on by the Company of Goldsmiths of the City of London, against any person or persons for frauds or abuses, in gold or silver plate, within seven years then last past

:

"In 1767 William C, working silversmith, was prosecuted by indictment upon Stat. 28 Edw. I, and Stat. 6 George I, c. 11, for soland shoe-buckles which dering bits of standard silver to tea-tongs the same to the said Comand than worse were sending standard, to obtain their marks to in order fraudulently Office, pany's Assay the same. " In 1768 William K., of

London, working silversmith, was prosecuted by indictment upon the said statutes for making two salt cellars worse than standard, and selling them for standard. "In 1770 James M. E. and partners were severally prosecuted actions on Stat. 12 George II for making gold chains worse than

by

standard; and Roger S. and others were prosecuted for selling gold watch-chains worse than standard. "In 1778 John G. and William V., watchmakers, were prosecuted for selling two silver watch-cases without being marked, and which on that account were stopped at the Custom House in London, on their being found in a cask of hardware, in which action they suffered judgment to go by default."

PLATE MARKED WITH FALSE PUNCHES AND OTHER OFFENCES

A

consideration of this subject by the Government is of the highest importance, and the perpetrators of forged Hall-marks should be sought for with diligence and visited with condign punishment. Not only is it an evasion of payment of the duty and a deception towards the public, but it throws suspicion upon plate bearing the genuine stamps, and public confidence is destroyed. At the present day the sale of antique plate with forged Hallmarks is carried on to a great extent, especially in England, where, in consequence of the publication of tables of date-marks, its precise age may be ascertained, and the value of old plate having thereby increased enormously, forgers are busy counterfeiting the ancient marks not only in England but on the Continent. In many cases unprincipled dealers are cognisant of the fact, and assist in It is incumspreading the falsifications throughout the country bent upon the authorities to use their best endeavours to put a stop to such practices, and seize all spurious plate wherever it may be found, and the dealer (who is bound to know from whom he purchases plate) be made amenable and subject to penalties as in France. subjoin some of the cases of fraud which have been adjudicated upon.

We


FALSE PUNCHES, ETC. In the records of the Goldsmiths'

May

"

4,

1

597

:

The Attorney-General

151

is an entry, dated an information against

Company filed

John Moore and Robert Thomas, 'That whereas it had been heretofore of long time provided by divers laws and statutes for the avoiding deceit and fraud in the making of plate, that every goldsmith should, before the sale of any plate by him made, bring the same to Goldsmiths' Hall for trial by assay, to be touched or marked and allowed by the wardens of the said Company of Goldsmiths; the which wardens by their indenture, in their search, find out the aforesaid deceitful workmanship and counterfeit, also of plate and puncheons; yet the said I. M. and R. T., being lately made free of the Goldsmiths' Company, did about three months past make divers parcels of counterfeit plate, debased and worse than Her Majesty's standard twelve pence and more in the ounce, and to give appearance to the said counterfeit plate being good and lawful, did thereto put and counterfeit the marks of Her Majesty- lion, the leopard's head, limited by statute, mid the alphabetical mark approved by ordinance amongst themselves, which are the private marks of the Goldsmiths' Hall, and be and remain in the custody of the said wardens, and puncheons to be worked and imprinted thereon, and the said J. M. did afterwards sell the same for good and sufficient plate, " to the defrauding of Her Majesty's subjects,' etc. They were convicted, and sentenced to stand in the pillory at Westminster, with their ears nailed thereto, and with papers above their heads stating " their offence to be For making false plate and counterfeiting Her i;

They were then put in the pillory at Cheapsicie. and were taken through Foster Lane to Fleet

Majesty's touch."

had one ear cut Prison, and had

off,

to

pay a

fine of ten

marks.*

Although

this

is

the

mention of Her Majesty's lion, or lion passant, and the alphabetical mark, yet they were both used long before this date. The lion passant is first found on plate of the year 1545, a-^d the alphabetical mark was doubtless used since the first Charter was granted to the Goldsmiths' Company in 1327, and is alluded to in an ordinance of 1336 as the " assay e/s mark." A case under the Statute of 7 & 8 Victoria, c. 22 (1844), was first

tried before Lord Denman at the Taunton Assizes in Two 1849. silversmiths were indicted for having in their possession a silver spoon having thereon a mark of a die used by the Goldsmiths' Com-

pany, which had been transposed from a silver skewer; and also a similar charge in respect to a silver soup ladle. The prosecution was instituted by the Goldsmiths' Company of London. The spoon and ladle were of modern make, but bore the mark of the year 1774. An officer of the Goldsmiths' Company proved that on clearing off the gilding and using a blow-pipe, he found that the spoon and ladle were not made in one piece, which would be the ordinary mode *

This was the usual punishment for similar offences. In Belgium it was the goldsmith convicted of having fabricated base gold or silver market place, and there had his ear nailed to a pillar, where he remained thus fixed, until he released himself by leaving a piece of his ear behind him. slightly varied was led to the

;


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

152

of manufacture, but that the parts bearing the marks were "inserted" or "brought on." working silversmith proved that by direction of the prisoners he had made and sent to them two silver bowls for spoons; that they were afterwards returned to him with handles attached to be gilt, and when he burnished them he perceived the old Hall-marks that the bowls and stems or handles were generally made together. The defence was that the facts proved did not amount to a transposition, but were an addition, and as such were not a felony, but came under the fifth section of the Act, which imposed a pecuniary penalty for the offence. It was suggested that the spoon and ladle were made by using old silver skewers, with the old Hall-mark, for the stems, and add" ing to them bowls and figures at the top called apostles," in order to give them the appearance of old plate, and that this was an addition. It was admitted by the prisoners' counsel to be a fraud in contravention of the Act, but not a felony under the second section. The jury found that it was not a transposition but an addition, and the prisoners were discharged. The judge remarked however: "It appears to me very much to be questioned, at least, whether the description of transposition in the one section is not precisely the same as the description of addition in the other section." D. L. G., a dealer carrying on business in London, was 1876. convicted at the Central Criminal Court in August, 1876, of feloniously altering and transferring a certain mark of a die used by the Goldsmiths' Company under the following circumstances. customer found displayed in the prisoner's shop a coffee-pot. Hallmarked and bearing the letter of the year 1747, there being ap" pended to it a label with the words 120 years old." This he purchased for \Q). He also purchased a small silver ewer bearing the Goldsmiths' letter for 1744.

A

;

A

m

It

being discovered that these articles were of recent manufacGoldsmiths' Company issued a writ against the prisoner to recover penalties under sect. 3 of the Act 7 & 8 Victoria (1844); in regard to which, under another section, a dealer could, however, be protected if within twenty-one days he gave up the name of the person from whom he bought the article. He at first stated that he had bought it the way of trade, and did not know from whom, but he afterwards gave the name of a working electro-plater, who was thereupon arrested, and on the prisoner's evidence, being committed for trial, pleaded guilty. Judgment was postponed, and his evidence taken against the principal offender, from which it appeared that he had transferred to the coffee-pot and ewer certain o^d marks from pieces of silver brought to him by the prisoner for that purpose, the prisoner agreeing to purchase those articles if the witness would put the old marks upon them. The offenders were thereupon sentenced, the dealer to six months' and the electro-plater to two months imprisonment, in both cases with hard labour. A few hints may be acceptable to the collector in his investigation of antique plate. ture, the

m


FALSE PUNCHES, ETC. By

the electrotype process, an ancient vase, cup, or

153

any

piece

of plate, may be moulded with the greatest exactness, showing the minutest chasing and engraving and even the hammer-marks of the These reproductions are original, as well as the Hall-mark itself. difficult of detection to the uninitiated, but an expert will at a glance discover the spurious copy, although the means by which he arrives An experienced at such a conclusion are not so easily explained. numismatist will, by the feel as well as the sight, distinguish between a true and false coin; so a perceptible difference will be observed between a genuine piece of old chased silver and its modern prototype. There is about the latter a greasy, unsatisfactory appearance, which a practised hand and eye will at once detect. course in these electrotype copies the reverse would show the formed in the process but these are inside the cup or vase, and if in sight are tooled over to prevent detection. Sometimes English Hall-marks are cut from a spoon or small article and transferred to a large and more important piece of plate, such as a cup or vase, perhaps of old German manufacture. This might be detected by an assay, to ascertain if the quality correspond with the English standard, foreign plate being usually inferior, which could be done with little trouble and at a trifling cost at an Assay Office, by scraping a few grains from the piece. On close examination with a magnifier, the transposed fragment containing the Hall-mark may be traced by the line round the edge, which is generally inserted with solder; or, if highly polished, the junction may be observed by applying the fumes of sulphur, or by the blow-

Of

crystals

;

In examining pieces with supposed counterfeit or forged Hallmarks several indicia must be specially considered. We must first try and divine the motive of falsification; whether it be to pass off inferior or base metal as standard, or whether the object be to deceive by making the piece appear of a more ancient date than it really is, by placing the counterfeit of the old die upon good silver and taking advantage of the increased value between antique and modern plate. In the first case we easily arrive at a safe conclusion

by an assay in the second we must to a great extent be guided by the style and fashion of the vessel, and judge whether they correspond with the date assigned to it by the stamps, which, if copied accurately from the English Hall-marks, can be easily ascertained. Again, the methods of manufacturing plate, ancient and modern, are essentially different, as indicated by the presence of hammermarks, etc. The style of ornamentation in repousse, engraving and chasing differs materially the colour and tint of old gilding is also difficult to imitate. Moreover, we must not be misled or taken off our guard by abrasions, marks of wear and tear, or rough usage, as ;

;

these are easily counterfeited.

Another method of detecting spurious plate is by a close observation of the position of the Hall-marks on the piece of plate under examination. The stamping of plate at the Assay Offices is not done at random, but is subject to official orders and regulations.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

154

rules are issued instructing the stamping clerk on ticular part of each piece the punch is to be applied.

and

which parThis estab-

lished practice dates from an early period, and was so constant that of the any deviation will, to a connoisseur, raise in his mind doubts From under the habit, of person any inspection. piece genuineness accustomed to examine ancient Hall-marks knows exactly the position in which they ought to be placed, and an inexperienced person

do well to compare a doubtful piece with an undoubted specimen, and form his judgment accordingly. Spoons are sometimes found metamorphosed into Postles" by the addition of a modern statuette of a saint cut from a German

will

''

spoon. In Holland and in Germany spoons are still made in the style of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and recently large quantities have come into the English market but by the Hall-marks they are easily recognised, and if not equal to English standard are now prohibited for sale unless previously stamped at Goldsmiths' Hall. In genuine apostle spoons, the statuette is frequently affixed to the end of the stem by means of solder, but in a particular manner, to a point like the lete.g., the end of the stem is filed downwards ter V, and the pedestal of the figure is wedge-shaped to fit closely Modern additions are into the opening and fastened with solder. cut straight off and soldered on, usually in a very clumsy and un;

satisfactory manner. may here remark that the old-fashioned French pattern spoons which have been superseded by the modern fiddle-head, instead of being consigned to the crucible, are purchased by silversmiths at the melting price, the bowls being chased with fruit and gilt, and form very elegant spoons for dessert; but of course the chasing is modern, and not of the date indicated by the Hall-mark.

We

The large old-fashioned plain tea-kettles, teapots and milk-jugs of the last one hundred and fifty years are in like manner elaborately chased or engraved by modern

artists.

Deception is practised in many other ways. For instance, an antique silver bas-relief with its Hall-mark is soldered into the centre of a salver, the border being modern and very heavy, the former weighing perhaps no more than five or six ounces, and worth 40s. to 50s. per oz., the latter twenty or thirty ounces, made at a cost of about 8s. per oz. The new Hall-mark is erased, leaving only the old one visible, and the purchaser is deceived, thinking the whole salver

is

antique.

In old times the Beef-eaters (as they are termed) of the Tower, when in their pride of office, with the old Stuart costume, wore on their left arm a large silver badge or cognisance, having the arms of the ordnance (three mounted cannons) in a handsome scroll border, measuring about ten inches by eight, of oval form. From motives of economy the late administration ordered these emblems to be sold for their intrinsic value. The purchaser having about twenty of these silver medallions conceived the idea, in preference to melt-


FALSE PUNCHES, ETC.

155

into ingots, of converting them into articles of genby adding silver branches with nozzles for candles on the lower parts of the badges, transmogrified them into very handsome sconces to hang upon the walls; the old Hall-marks upon the medallions proving incontestably to an unwary purchaser the an-

ing them

down

eral use; so

tiquity of these cleverly

adapted

articles.

The duty mark of

the sovereign's head, denoting payment of This additional stamp at once the impost, was first used in 1784. proclaims the comparatively recent date of a piece of plate. To remedy this, the intrusive stamp is frequently erased, leaving only four marks, as previously used, instead of five, which, if it does not convince every collector, at any rate puzzles him, and in many instances the deception

is

successful.

Even

the experienced collector may occasionally be deceived, requires somewhat more than a hasty glance to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion on the merits or demerits of a piece of plate, e.g., an isolated spoon, with cleverly imitated Hall-marks, might

and

it

pass muster, but when a whole set is produced suspicion is naturally aroused, and a more scrutinising investigation with the magnifying glass becomes necessary. We shall perchance discover that the three or four Hall-marks exactly correspond on each spoon, and all are precisely in the same relative position or distance from each other, the same angle of inclination of each punch, in fact, the exact counterpart in the minutest particular. Now a little reasoning on this coincidence will prove that such a close resemblance of one set of stamps to another amounts to an impossibility on genuine spoons, when we consider the method of stamping at the Hall, the marks being punched with several punches at different times, the maker placing his registered stamp upon the article before he sends it to be assayed, and after the assay is completed the Hall-marks are

placed by

its side.

Transformations are common, and old-fashioned articles of plate are frequently beaten out, added to, or ornamented in such a manner as to render them serviceable and attractive, still retaining the ancient Hall-mark, although it appears in a wrong position on the piece. Old saucepans of Queen Anne's time having become undishes originally saleable, are converted into tankards and mugs plain are turned into chased waiters or baskets; old decanter stands (now out of date) are, by trifling additions, turned into soy ;

frames,

etc.

These transformations have been dealt with to a certain extent & 8 Victoria, cap. 22, sect. 5. Manufacturers are allowed by 7 by this Act to add to any piece of silver a quantity not exceeding onethird of the whole, which additional piece may be sent to the Goldsmi-ths' Hall and stamped, but these additions must be made in such a manner as not to alter the original use for which it was intended thus, a piece may have a foot, handle, spout, or stand affixed; an old tankard may have a lip attached for pouring out liquids, but ;


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

156

must not have a spout added so as to serve as a coffee-pot. In no piece whatever may be diverted from its original use by any addition or alteration. Pieces of Hall-marked plate which have been added to beyond the limit of one-third proportion to the weight of the article are subject to a duty upon the whole, and must be stamped accordingly. The old Hall-marks, in this case, are not obliterated, but a new series of Hall-marks are placed under the original marks hence the occurrence of these two sets of Hall-marks reveals the alterations and additions made by the manufacturer. it

fact,

;

The Hall-marks were formerly placed on plate by rule and not by chance, according to the form of the piece. Before the year 1700 the marks v/ere placed upon cups and bowls outside, on the margin, near the mouth. On tankards they will be found on the margin to the right of the handle, and if a flat lid, straight across in a line with the purchase-knob or sometimes upon the flange; dishes and At and after Queen Anne's period, these salvers, upon the faces. rules were altered, and instead of being so conspicuously situated, the marks were placed on the backs, and upon cups and bowls were stamped underneath or inside the hollow stem of the foot, and inside the lids of the tankards. Any variation from these rules will naturally give rise to suspicion, and a careful examination will be necessary to ascertain whether the piece of plate has been altered from its original shape as before mentioned. In early spoons the leopards' head, crowned, was placed inside the bowl close to the stem, the maker's mark, date letter, and lion on the back of the stem; but on rat-tail spoons of the latter half of the seventeenth century all the four marks were placed on the back of the stems. The books of the Goldsmiths' Company of London having perished in the great fire of 1666. the orders for the application of stamps in their relative positions on articles of plate are unknown, but there was evidently a regular system adopted, as in France. The application of the punches in that country was entrusted to the comptrollers of the bureaux, and in this operation to ensure uniformity a catalogue was published previous to the prohibition of massive plate in 1679, and again, in 18 19, giving instructions for placing the stamps in the exact positions indicated on each new catalogue was issued in 1838. piece of plate.

A

A

case of considerable importance came under the immediate notice of the late Mr. Chaffers. This case was afterwards tried before the Court of Queen's Bench and the Court of In the

1872 and 1873

Appeal.

years

silversmith sold to a collector a large service of Queen Anne plate, consisting of spoons, forks, knives, etc., of all sizes, suitable for dinner and dessert, numbering upwards of six hundred pieces. Half the articles had on the ends of each of the stems a bust of Queen Anne, the other half a bust of her husband, "i

Prmce George of Denmark. The very magnitude of this service naturally caused a suspicion of its genuineness, and on close inspection it was discovered that all the stamps were forgeries.


FALSE PUNCHES, ETC. The

service consisted of the following

157

:

and tea spoons.

326 table, dessert, 17 gravy spoons, fish slices, ladles, and butter knives. 180 silver-handled knives and forks. 120 gilt dessert knives, forks, and spoons.

643 It may be desirable to give a more minute description of these particular articles as a caution to future collectors, especially as many most imposing pieces of plate of the time of William and Mary and Anne have come under our notice bearing, in some cases, identical marks, and being evidently from the same source; and

although of different periods, bearmg makers' initials which were never entered at Goldsmiths' Hall, or if imitated, were not in existence at the date falsely indicated. Those pieces with the bust of Queen Anne bear four Hall-marks all cast in the same mould as the stem itself. These were: (i) Britannia; (2) lion's head erased; (3) date letter H, of the year 1703; and (4) the maker's initials, PE, crowned. The pieces with the bust of Prince George of Denmark have three marks cast, but on several the fourth, indicating the date, is struck with a false punch of the Court hand R, of 171 2-3. The maker's initials are // in italics, no such letters being entered in the book at Goldsmiths' Hall of that date. Other pieces of an equally suspicious character, bear the same struck letter R^ of 17 12, the other three being cast, and the maker's initials, H. B., not found at the Hall of that date. may also add that on an assay being made, the quality of the silver was far below the Britannia or New Standard. The fraud having been brought to the notice of the House of Commons, application was made to the Goldsmiths' Hall for information, and their clerk, Mr. Walter Prideaux, reported on June 22, 1880, as follows "In the years 1872 and 1873 a silversmith in London, in an extensive way of business, sold a large quantity of silver plate to a customer. Last autumn a gentleman who is well acquainted with plate-marks saw this plate, and informed the owner that it was

We

:

.

spurious.

"Hereupon the Goldsmiths' Company were communicated with. officers were sent to examine the plate, and over six hundred pieces were found to bear counterfeit marks. "Application was then made to the seller, and he was informed that the Goldsmiths' Company would sue for the penalties, unless he could relieve himself under the statute by making known the person, and the place of abode of the person, from whom he received Their

After having seen the invoices he admitted the sale, and, after time, during which he had the plate examined by several persons in the trade, gave the name and residence of a person who, he This person is said, supplied him with all the articles in question. a working silversmith in a small way of business. it.

some


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

158 "

The Goldsmiths' Company thereupon applied to the last-mentioned person, who examined some of the plate in a cursory way, and after some time, through his solicitor that he was not replied

or that he had ever had prepared to admit that he sold the plate, the plate in his possession; but that if the wares in question had been sold by him, they must be some of certain wares which in 1872 he either bought or received in exchange from a person whose name he mentioned, who is dead. " The solicitor of the first person applied to was then asked by letter whether he was prepared by production of his books, or in some other manner, to substantiate his statement. " Whereupon he produced invoices which covered about six hundred pieces of plate answering the descriptions of the plate which

the subject of inquiry, and cheques to order for payments made for it, all of which cheques appear to have passed through a bank, and are duly endorsed. ib

"

The circumstances bore a very suspicious appearance, but the Goldsmiths' Company were advised that the evidence was not such as would be deemed sufficient in a court of law, and that they would not be doing right to continue the proceedings against the person who apparently had cleared himself under the provisions of the Act of Parliament.

"They thereupon commenced proceedings

against the person he asserts that he bought the plate in question, and these proceedings are now pending. " The defendant has raised a point of law under the Statute of Limitations, which is set down for argument on demurrer.

from

whom

"The articles in question purport to be of the time of Queen Anne, before the duty was imposed, and therefore do not bear the duty mark." This case came before the Court of Queen's Bench on November 1880; Robinson, a deputy warden of the Goldsmiths' Company, being the plaintiff, and Currey the defendant. This action was brought by the plaintiff to recover penalties amounting in the aggregate to ;^6,430, from the defendant, a silversmith, of Great Sutton Street, Clerkenwell for having sold 643 articles of silver bearing a spurious mark, the penalty, for each offence being i^io. The defendant pleaded first, that he had bought the articles from a well-known dealer in Islington, and had resold them in ignorance that the marks were forged and secondly, that the plaintiffs could not maintain the action, as it had not been brought within the period specified by law 7 & 8 Vict, c. 22, to amend the laws then in force on the marking of gold and silver wares in England. The offence was clearly proved, but a point of law was raised as the cause of action did not arise within two years before the action was brought. On November 17, the Court, consisting of Justice Field and Justice Manisty, gave judgment for the 12,

;


FALSE PUNCHES, ETC.

159

defendant on the ground that the action had not been brought within two years of the time of the offence.* The Goldsmiths' Company, however, were not satisfied with this The case came before the Court of Appeal, decision, and appealed. consisting of the Lords Justice Bramwell, Baggallay. and Lush, on April 2, 1881. Mr. A. Wills, O.C, and Mr. Webster, Q.C., and Mr. Coxon were Counsel for the Goldsmiths' Company Sir John Holker, O.C, Mr. Crump, and Mr. Jones, represented the defendant (the then ;

respondent).

The Court of Appeal reversed the judgment of the Divisional Court, as they were unanmiously of opinion that the statutes did " not apply in this case, as the plaintiffs were neither common informers" nor "aggrieved persons," who could only bring actions The Company were not respectively within one and two years. restricted as to the periods in which they could bring actions for The judgment of the penalties against persons infringing the law. Court below was, therefore, rev-ersed, with the costs of the demurrer and also of the appeal. t The following paragraph

"

"

City Press of December 23, 1 88 1, announces the termination of the action by a verdict for the plaintiff and full amount of penalties, amounting to ;^6,430 in the

:

"

The proceedings by

the Goldsmiths' Company for the recovery of 643 penalties of i,io each in respect of the sale by a well-known dealer in Oxford Street of a large quantity of spurious Queen Anne plate have been terminated by the defendant abandoning his defence. Judgment has been signed by the Goldsmiths' Company for the whole of the penalties in question. understand, however, that the amount of the penalties may probably be reduced by the

We

Company."

The Criminal Law Consolidation Act of 7 & 8 Victoria, which we have quoted (page 103), " for preventing frauds and abuses in the marking of gold and silver wares or possessing such without lawful excuse," imposes a penalty of ;^io for each article. This comparatively trifling penalty (which formerly was death, or at least transportation for a lengthened term), when a number of forged articles are detected, increases proportionately, s we have seen, to a large amount; but with larger and more massive pieces of plate, each of which would weigh fifty to a hundred ounces, requiring only one Hall-mark, if that be forged, the penalty of ;'io is cheerfully paid,

and the forger, for this trivial compounding of felony gets off scot free. Hence whether a piece weighs half an ounce at the cost of a few shillings, or a hundred ounces at the cost of as many pounds, the penalty is the same. At the present moment we know of several most imposing silver vases of the time of Queen Anne bearing forged Hall-marks, for which great prices have been paid. * t

Law Law

If a

Reports, Q. B. D., Vol. VI, page 21 Reports, Q. B. D., Vol. VII, page 46o.

12


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

i6o

limit were put to the weight, corresponding to the penalty, the law might prove effective. As it is now, a premium is held out for placing the forged marks on large and important pieces of plate.

Before the introduction of milling the edges of coins, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the dishonest were accustomed to clip small pieces carefully from the edges, which being struck, were not always in a true circle when they were issued from the Mint. Although the weight was diminished, the fraud was not easily deThis system of peculation was, it was thought, put a stop to tected. by the milled edges being placed upon the coins in the reign of

But although baffled by this invention, the inthieves another system of fraud, professionally discovered genious called "sweating." They placed a large number of sovereigns loose in a coarse linen bag; this being violently shaken, rubbed off portions of gold which adhered to the sides of the bag, which was then burnt in an iron vessel, and the particles collected together. The coins after this operation had the appearance of being worn by circulation, until about thirty years ago the whole coinage was called into the Mint and allowed for by weight instead of being taken as The public, upon whom the loss fell to a great extent, currency. became more careful, and rejected the gold unless of full weight, and sovereign scales came into general use. This habit of weighing

Queen Elizabeth.

sovereigns was in time discontinued, and people judged from the more wholesome system of disinappearance of the coin only. tegration was then conceived, viz., filing off the edges of the gold coin and afterwards milling them afresh, the size and weight being thus considerably reduced, but the fresh appearance of the surface At the Liverpool Sessions in 1879, a man was sentenced preserved. " to twelve months' imprisonment for " sweating sovereigns and reducing them in size by one twenty-fourth. The Recorder said hundreds of sovereigns, which had a new milling substituted for the genuine one, had in a short time found their way into the bank. The case had been waiting the judgment of a Court of Criminal Appeal, which, by a majority of the judges, was against the prisoner.

A

A

somewhat curious case was tried at the Assizes held at Manon May i, 1905, before Mr. Justice Bray; when Joseph Adelman pleaded guilty to an indictment under the Gold and Silver Wares Act, 1844, charging him with transposing the Hall-marks stamped upon nineteen rough strips of gold by the Goldsmiths' Company of Chester to the corresponding number of half-hoop rings and with uttering the same. The prisoner, who was a working jeweller in Manchester, had been accustomed to send rough strips of 18 carat gold to the Goldsmiths' Company of Chester to be assayed and stamped. The Hallmark was impressed at the end of each of these strips, and the prisoner had cut off those portions of the strips, and welded each of them on to a finished half -hoop ring. These rings were not all of the same standard. One was above the standard, four of the full chester,


FALSE PUNCHES, ETC.

.

i6i

1 8 carat standard, five within half a grain of the standard, seven over 17 carats, and two of 16 and 15 carats respectively. The reason given for the offence was that an urgent order for half-hoop rings had come to the prisoner when he had none in stock which had been assayed and Hall-marked, and that it would have taken too long to complete the rings in stock and have them assayed. The judge said he would believe that there had been no actual fraud in the case, but that he must pass such a sentence as would serve as a deterrent, and he therefore sentenced the prisoner to one month's imprisonment, without hard labour, and to pay twenty guineas towards the cost of the prosecution.



TABLE OF MARKS.


Table of Marks nsed

in 1^20

rtt

ihe

Assay

Offices in

England, Scotland, and Ireland.


Table of Marks used i

Assay

Town

|

Description.

in 1701-2 at the

Assay

Offices in

England, Scotland, and Ireland.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

i66

STANDARDS. There


0nglauir, By far the most important of the English Hall-marks are those impressed in London. Probably out of every hundred pieces of silver plate in this country, r;inety-ninc were assayed at Goldsmiths' Hall.

These marks are therefore

first

considered.

The marks on English silver stamped in London have never been more than five, and are reduced to four, although an additional mark is now placed on foreign silver assayed in England. If we consider these marks in the order in which they were adopted, we find them in the following sequence :

The The The The

Leopard's Head. Maker's Mark.

The

Annual

The Sovereign's Head. The Mark for Foreign

I-etter.

Lion Passant.

L

Lion's Britannia.

Head

erased,

and

Silver.

THE LEOPARD'S HEAD.

Taking first the London mark of the leopard's head, which was the earliest assay mark impressed on vessels of gold and silver, we give the forms of this stamp for the last six centuries. This mark used to be called sometimes the " Libcrdes Hede," " sometimes the Liberd Heed," and sometimes the " Catte's Face.' The stamp itself was known as the " punson," and it was most zealously guarded. It is mentioned in the statute of 1300 as "une te/te de leopart"; and in the charter granted in 1327 to the Goldsmiths' Company, the puncheon of the leopard's head was then said to have been of ancient use. At all events, it is always found on assayed silver, from the middle of the fifteenth century. The form of the head has changed at various times. At first the leopard's or lion's head crowned within a circle was used, and this form continued in use until early in the sixteenth century.


1

HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

68

In 1 5 19 the leopard's head appears with a different crown, and within a shaped outUne.

From that time until the end of the seventeenth century, the crowned leopard's head was placed within a line following the shape of the head and crown. The appearance of the lion at this time is noble, and he appears as the crowned king of beasts.

In 1678 the head was once again and for the last time placed in a

circle.

In 1697 the Britannia standard was introduced, and the head erased was used instead of the leopard's head.

The form of in the time.

lion's

stamp has never been altered, and is still used outline, for the higher standard, at the present

this

same shaped

The old standard was

revived in 1720, and the leopard's head at this time were of very

crowned was again used, but the shields uncertain shape.

In 1739 the shield was altered to a shape similar to that of the

date

letter.


THE LEOPARD'S HEAD. After 1763 the head was

made

169

smaller arid placed in a plain

shield.

In 1822 the leopard's head was deprived of its crown, and deits mane and beard a great change from the bold front presented in the old punches and it has ever since looked more like a half-starved cat than a lion.

nuded of

;

Indeed, from the earliest times until constantly changed, and each change has The leopard's head of the last cycle, certainly is a great improvement, though with universal approbation.

The form of time

the leopard's head

i8g6, this mark has been been for the worse. adopted in 1896, however, the shield may not meet

and shield

is

at the present

:

II.

THE MAKER'S MARK.

This mark was first made compulsory in 1363, although it was no doubt used before that time. The early workers almost invariably employed a symbol or emblem, such as an animal, fish, crown, " It was ordered to be a mark of the goldsmith known star, or rose. by the surveyor." In 1379, "Every goldsmith shall have his own proper mark upon the work." In 1433, "The mark or sign of the worker." This mark was frequently a single letter, and frequently two letters for the Christian or surname of the maker. In 1675, the Goldsmiths' order enjoins that " the plate workers shall bring their marks to Goldsmiths' Hall, and there strike the same in a table kept in the Assay Office, and likewise enter their names and places of


170

HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

habitation in a book there kept for that purpose, whereby the persons and their marks may be known unto the wardens of the said

company."

In accordance with the Act of 1697-8 the maker used the first two letters of his surname in lieu of his initials. This enactment in compelled a great number of makers to obtain new punches; but their to returned makers was Act when this repealed, many 1720, former marks. The matter was settled once and for all by the statute of 1739, which directed the makers to destroy their existing

punches, and substitute the initials of their Christian and surnames, of entirely different types from those before used. Sometimes a small mark, such as a cross, star, etc., is found near the maker's mark; it is that of the workman, for the purpose of tracing the w-ork to the actual maker thereof; in large manufactories some such check is indispensable. III.

-DATE MARK.

A letter of the alphabet. This was the assaycr's mark, and was introduced in 1478, and since that time a date letter has been reguThe various alphabets, each larly used, at the London Assay Office. composed of twenty letters, have constantly succeeded each other, different characters having been used at different times. The letters used are from A to or V inclusive the letters J, W, X, Y, and Z, were, however, always omitted. At first the letter was enclosed in a shaped outline following its form, but since 1560 the letter has been enclosed in an heraldic shield, the design of which has constantly varied. Each Assay Office has its peculiar alphabetical mark, indicating the year in which the plate was assayed and stamped; and, therefore, plate that was stamped in any other place than London had to be, when entered for drawback, accompanied by a certificate of the date from the office in which it was assayed and stamped. In London, previous to the Restoration, the annual letter was changed on St. Dunstan's Day (May 19), w^hen the new w-ardens were elected. Since 1660 the assay year commences on May 30, and the new wardens were appointed on the same day in each and every year. The debased standards of the coinage of the previous tw^cnty or thirty years were raised by Queen Elizabeth to their former purity, and in February, 1 560-1 all the base money was called in by proclamation. The minutes of the Goldsmiths' Company record that on June 18, 1561, "the first dyett of the new standard was tried" that is, the trial of the quality of gold and silver of the new standard of the year ending in June, 1561. The restoration of what should be more properly styled th;^ old sterling standard by the Queen, was commemorated by an alteration in the style of the date letters, or rather, their enclosures. This change is notified in a minute of the Goldsmiths' Company, dated June 16, 1560, and is indicated by the use of a regular shield instead of an escutcheon taking the form of a letter.

U

;


lliE

STANDARD MARK.

171

Roman

letters, and in simCycles 14 and 16 being both in small ilar shields, it is at first sight difficult to distinguish the dates of

1776-95 from those of 1816-35. The following remarks will assist us in doing so. The former alphabet up to i of 1784-5 is not accompanied by the duty mark of the King's head, there being only four marks. After that date down to the g of 1822-3 there will be no difficulty, as there is an additional mark; but from 1824 down to 1835 there would be nothing but the King's head (the portrait of Geo. Ill being changed for Geo. IV) to depend upon, except that in that very year, 1823, the crown was taken from the leopard's head, and it remains uncovered to the present day. It will be noticed that in the various alphabets the sovereign's name appears at different times the explanation being that the date of the commencement of the reign may be before or after the date of the change of the annual assay letter. ;

THE STANDARD MARK.

IV.

The standard mark of the lion passant has been used on all standard gold and sterling silver, from 1545 until the present time, except from 1696 to 1720. The first mention of the lion passant is in the records of the Goldsmiths' Company in May, 1597, where it is

called

"

Her Majesty's Lion."

It is

not referred to in any statute

The earliest piece we have met with bearing the mark until 1675. of the lion passant is the silver gilt rose water dish and ewer, bearing the London Hall-marks for 1545-6, now at Corpus Christi ColThe lion passant may, however, have been used lege, Cambridge. in one of the intervening years between 1540 and 1545, but no pieces have come under our immediate notice. The following representations of the lion passant are of those used by the Goldsmiths' Company, the provincial marks vary slightly from those employed in London. The lion was always represented as passant guardant, and during the first few years was life-like, crowned, and enclosed in a shaped outline. The lion used at the present time is not guardant. The form of the crowned lion from 1545 until 1548 was :

In 1548 the lion appears uncrowned in a rectangle, and so continued for ten years :


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

T72

and

In 1558 the lion is enclosed in an irregularly shaped outline, so appears until 1678 :

In 1678 the lion was placed in an arched outline, which was used until 1697 :

The standard of silver was raised, and the mark of the lion " passant was changed to that of the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia," on

March

25, 1697.

This form of stamp is still used at the present time for the higher standard. In 1720 the old standard was again allowed and the lion passant was agam used. Between 1720 and 1739 the lion was placed in a rectangle :

From 1739

until 1756 the

The marks From 1756

at this period are somewhat uncertain in form. until 1896 the lion was placed in a shield

shaped outline was again used

regular


DUTY MARK

173

In 1896 a new form of shield was introduced, having three lobes above and the same number below, which was used until 1916:

On

new cycle of date letters in 19 16, the and was placed in an oblong outline,

the introduction of the

lion ceased to be guardant, having three lobes below :

THE

LION'S

HEAD ERASED, AND FIGURE OF BRITANNIA.

When the standard for silver was raised in 1697, it was enacted that in lieu of the leopard's head and lion passant, the assay marks should be the figure of a lion's head erased, and the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia. This higher standard with these marks continued to be compulsory until 1720; when the old standard was again allowe'l, with the old marks. The higher standard is still perfectly legal, and when used is denoted by the lion's head erased, and figure of Britannia. These are illustrated above.

V.DUTY

MARK.

The head in profile of the reigning sovereign. This mark was introduced in 1784. (24 George III.) It indicated the payment of the duty, and was impressed at the Assay Offices on every manufactured article of standard gold and silver that was liable to the duty after payment to the officers of the Goldsmiths' Company who were the appointed receivers. After the passing of the Duty Act, which took effect on St. Dunstan's Day (May 19), 1784, the duty stamp of the King's head incuse was used for a short period. find it conjunction with the letter i of 1784, and also with the letter k of 1785. The head of George III is in an ellipse and is turned to the

Wc

right

:

m


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

174

reign of King George III ended January 23, 1820. George the Fourth's is also turned to the right for the silver mark, though he is turned to the left on his coins

The

:

January

The next in a similar

1820, to

June

26, 1831.

William the Fourth, was turned

sovereign,

manner

29,

to the right

:

June

The head of Oueen

2fi.

1830, to

Victoria

June

June

/ ^

20, 1837.

was turned

to the left

:

20, 1837, to 1890.

Both the crown and chity mark of the sovereign's head were omitted on the three lower standards, and although they paid the same duty as the higher standards, there was no indication of it on the stamps.

The duty on silver was abolished head consequently omitted.

VI.

in 1890,

and the sovereign's

THE MARK FOR FOREIGN PLATE. The Letter

F.

In 1876 it was enacted by 39 & 40 Victoria, cap. 35, that all gold and silver plate imported from foreign parts, which should be sent to an assay office in the United Kingdom to be assayed and stamped, should be marked in addition to the marks used at such assay office, with the mark of the letter F in an oval escutcheon.


MARK FOR FOREIGN PLATE. Under

the Order in Council of 1904 the

gold plate was

London

1/5 office

mark

for

office

mark

for

:

(Phoebus.)

^

And

for silver

Under the Order in Council of 1906 the foreign plate for gold is

London

:

(Sign of Constellation Leo.)

And

for silver

:

13



LONDON ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS.


/


LONDON ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE

CYCLE

1.

Black Lkttke

LOMBABDIC

EDWARD

IV.,

RICH.

III.

HENRY

& HENRY Vli.

1478-0

&

i

1521-2

1541-2

1502-:i

1522-3

1542-3

V.

1

1485-0 Henry

w m

1503-4

III.

i

504-5

1505-0

VII.

t

1480-7

1539-40

)B

1501-2

1482-'"^

1484-5

1538-9

1510-20

a

MARY.

1540-1

1481-'^'

Richard

B

VIII.

1520-1

1500-1

l48;}-4

HENRY

VIII.

1518-9

1409-00

4.

KO.MAX Capitals.

CAPITAI.S.

HENRY

VIII.

1480-1

Edward

LOMBARDIC

S.mai.i,.

1408-0

1479-80

D-

VII.

CYCLE

CYCI>E 3.

2.

^

1523-4

1544-5

1524-5

H

1525-0

1545-0 1540-7

1520-7

150()-7

1543-4 I

Edward

1487-8

1507-8

148S-!)

15(),S-9

1548-9

1528-9

^^

VIII.

VI.

1547-,S

1500-10

1529-30

1549-50

1400-1

1510-1

1530-1

1550-1

1401-2

1511-2

1531-2

]480-<)0

#

m

Henry

1527-8

1402-:^

@

1551-2

1532-3

1552-3

533-4

1553-4

1554-5

1512-3 1

140:i-l

1513-4

iVJary.

1

14!)4-.>

1514-5

1534-5

1405-0

1515-0

1535-0

1

14i)0-7

1510-7

1530-7

1550-7

1517-8

1537-8

1557-8

1407-8 THiii;r.

Marks. crowned

1.

1477.

I.pop.ard's Head, 2. Dati- Lrttor.

1.

3.

|

in

Mnk.Ts Mark. No lion pass.'int. No ri>j,''iilar shield.

This letter being^ aeeompanied

Thhkk .Marks. 1.

2.

Thiiik Mahks. TiOopard's Head, crowntd. Date Letter.

-'.

Leopard's Head, crowned. Date Letter.

J.

.Makers Mark.

3.

-Maker's .Mark.

Xo lion j)assaut. No regular shield. \i\

the lion ])assant on

jilate

No No

may

be

from the S of

2.

4.

Date Letter. Maker's .Mark. Tabout ^')i'> lion passant lir&t used

'I'lie

No

eseuteheoiiB.

(lifctinfi-iiislied

FovR Marks. L Leopard's Head, crowned. 3.

lion passant.

\o'.i5.

555-0

egeutclieons.

when there were only three marks.


LONDON ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CVCLK

5.

Black I.kttkh

MARY.

^ ^

Smai.i..

E LIZ.

CYCl.K 6. KOIIAX

('\PlTA]..S.

ELIZABETH^ 1578-!)

1558-!) Elizabeth.

K)

1579-80

L')")!)-(;(

L')(;()-i

^

L')Gl-2

^1

,

1

1580-1 L")81-2

L-)(;2-:i

1582-.'i

158:^-4

1584-5

io.-(;

1585-(;

[J] I

158G-7

til'

L5GT-H

m

lo()8-9

IP loGO-TO 1570-1

1571-2

(J) 1572-;i L57.S-4

1574-5

1575-G 157G-7

1577-S Four Mahks. 1.

Ijeopard's Hond. cr.

2.

J, ion

3.

Date Letter. Maker's Mark.

4.

The date

paBsnitt.

letter first put a Bliield.

[n:

L587-8

CYCLE

7.


LONDON ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS.

Fofit Marks. Leopard's Head. cr. 2. lAon passant. 3. Date Letter. 4. Maker's Mark. The old standard reTived in 1720, hut both the old and new were allowed simultaneously The head leopard's smaller after 1721 than 1.

1.

-. :i.

i.

FOTJE Marks. Lropard's Hcnd. Lion passant. Dato Letter. Maker's Mark.

cr.

FocB Mark.s. L Leopard's Head,

Four Marks.

2.

\A<m passant.

z.

3.

Date Letter.

3.

Britannia. Lion's head erased. Date Letter.

4.

Ifaker's Mark.

4.

Maker's Mark.

or.

The leopard's hnad was large up to after years smaller. *

169C it

;

in

was

1.

Tlie of the

two

first

letters

maker's surname.

ForR Marks. 1.

2. 3. 4.

Leopard's Head, Lion passant. Date Letter. Maker's Mark.

cr.

After 1739 the initials

maker's Christian and surname. of

before.

towards the end of the official year, appears to have been injured, as represented, but it is also seen quite perfect. NoTi:.- The two stnui])8 of tlie leopard's head and the lion passant were, previous to 1673, placed in irn^frular shields, the ))ordpr line following- tlie de8if,m after that time the leopard's head was placed in a symmetrieal shield, and the lion in a distinct oblonj,' with a few exceptions; from and after 1750 botli punches had regular heraldic shields. Tliis letter,

;


T.ONDON ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE

CYCLE

15.

liOMAX

Bi.ACK Lkttkb Capitals.

GEORGE

II.

&

GEORGE

IIL

IT5G~T

1T5T-8 1

IS

758-9

lTr)9-(j()

1700- I George

e

CYCLK

T

BOMA.V

GEORGE

III.

CYCLE

17.

HOMAN

C'APtTAI.S.

III.

GEO.

III.,

GEO.

CYCLE

18.

Black Li;ttkr

SMAI.I..

IV.

& WILL. IV,

1776-7

1796-7

1816-7

1777-8

1797-8

1817-8

1778-9

1798-9

1818-9

1779-80

1799-00

1819-20 George

1780-1

WILL.

19. Cap;tai.s.

&

IV.

VICT.

183G-T

m m

IS.'iT-S Victoria.

1838-9 1839-40

IV.

1800-1

1820-1

1840-1

1801-2

1821-2

1841-2

822-3

1842-3

1823-4

1843-4

1824-5

1844-5

III.

17G1-2 1

16.

SMAI.1,.

762-;}

17G3-4 17G4-5 17G5-G

1781-2

i E I B

[F]

1782-3 1783-4

1784-5

1802-3

(H) CI]

1

1803-4 1804-5

/

1785-G

1805-6

1825-6

1845-6

1786-7

1806-7

1826-7

1846-7

17G7-8

1787-8

1807-8

1827-8

1847-8

1768-9

1788-9

1808-9

1

828-9

1848-9

1769-70

1789-90

1809-10

1829-30

1790-1

1810-1

1830-1

1771-2

1791-2

1811-2

1831-2

1851-2

1772-3

1792-3

1812-3

1832-3

1852-3

1793-4

1813-4

1833-4

1853-4

1794-5

1814-5

1834-5

1854-5

17GG-7

T)

1770-1

1849-50 1850-1

..--

William IV.

m ^

1773-4

1774-5 /

1795-6

1775-6 Four 1.

2. ;).

4.

Date Letter. .Maker's Mark.

cr.

1.

Leopard's Head.

cr.

l.ion passant. ;{. Date r.etter. 4. ]\laker'8 Mark. 2.

King's Head. .After 1784 the duty mark of tlic King's lieaci. 5.

By the Duty Act com nmpanied by the date

B ritannia

in<'Ux

1815-6

Five Marks.

]Maiiks.

Leopard's Head, Lion jiaseant.

>

1.

2. .i.

4. .">.

Five JfARKs. I.eopard'g Head cr liion passant. Date Letter. Maker's Mark. King's Head.

After

KflS gold

of IS

was marked with a I'rown and 18. car.

^

1835-6

1

Five IMarks.

1855-()

Five

Leopard's Head. Lion passant. Date Letter.

;MAitKs.

3.

Leopard's Head. Lion passant. Date Letter.

4.

^Maker's ilnrk.

4.

^Maker's AInrk.

o.

King's Head.

5.

Queen's Head from

1.

2.

3.

-After

1823

the

1.

2.

1838.

leo-

pard's head without a cruwn.

the gold standard wbs marked with ii2 and a crown .After

1845

of March, L84, the payment of duty was denoted by a stamp of the King's head, which at first was ntriixr letter i, and was continued in 1785-6 with the letter k; for the drawback of duty on exportation a stamp was adopted, but it was discontinued in the following year; the King's head was subsequently in relio'f

ji


LONDON ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE

2 0.


Cljrnnological iist of

>ugltslj

'^htt

The following

list of English plate contains examples of almost date letters used by the Goldsmiths' Company of London, between the year 1481 and the end of the eighteenth century. The list is founded on that compiled by the late Mr. William Chaffers " when cataloguing the Special Exhibition of Works of Art on Loan," at the South Kensington Museum in 1862, which included a magnificent collection of plate. Whenever a number appears after the date letter it refers to the Catalogue of the Loan Exhibition.

all the

Other examples of date letters are taken, by the kind permis" The sion of the authors, from the four privately printed books on Communion Plate of the ('hurchcs in the City of London," "The Communion Plate of the Parish ('hurches in the County of London," " The Communion Plate of the Parish Churches in tlie County of " Middlesex," and The Communion Plate of the Parish Churches in the County of Essex," by Edwin Freshheld, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., and The Church Plate of the (bounty of Northampton," by C. A. Mark" ham, F.S.A., and The Illustrated Catalogue of the Loan Collection of Plate Exhibited in the Fitzwilliam Museum, May, 1895," by permission of the publisht^rs, Messrs Deighton Bell and Co., and Messrs. Bowes and Bowes. "

In the

cases no doubt the vessels here mentioned are not in

many

same possession as when these notes were made. Cycle L

May,

1478, to

May,

ATE.

148

1.

(Henry VIL)

D. Silver gilt Cup, known as the "Anathema Cup," inscribed with the name of the donor, Langton, Bishop of Winchester, the date 1497, and the words, "Qui alienaverit anath-

ema

1

1498.

Pembroke College, Cambridge. Silver gilt low Bowl, fluted stem, inscribed "Bene, dictus. Deus. Im. Dona. suis. ame," in Lombardic letters. sit."

48 1. D. 5725. /.

Diinn Gardner, Esq.

1487. K. Silver gilt Salt Cellar.-

-Om/'.f College, Cambridge. Spoon with full-length figure of a saint, the earliis spoon known with an Apostle. The date letter O ""

1493- Q- Apostle est

1S4

/


CHRONOLOGICAL

LIST.

183

BATE.

cuspcd inwards and outwards

;

maker

Tlie Rev.

S.

T.

Stanifurth. 1497. V.

Three small Spoons, with slender stems.

Rev. T. Stani-

forlh.

Cycle 1499.

Jtr.

1500.

t.

II.

-May, 1498, to May, 1518.

(Ilenry VII

and VIII.)

Grace Cup and ("over ornamented with crossed 5455. the panels are maidens' heads and flagons, bands, and the badges of the Company; on the cover a maiden seated with a unicorn, with blue enamel bands, etc., presented by Sir Thomas \.q^. Mercers' Company, London.

m

Old English

^Tpoon. -Painter Stainers'

Company, Lon-

don. 1506.

i.

1507.

h-

1507.

h.

5 10.

11.

Bishop Fox's .Spoons, with owls at the handles. -Corpus Christi College, Oxon.

ends of the

Silver gilt Beaker and Cover in form of a Tudor rose, battleinented, engraved with roses, portcullises and daisies (marguerites), given by the foundress, Margaret, Countess

of Richmond.

1

-Christ's College, Cambridge. Pair of silver gilt Salt Cellars, of hour-glass form, ornamented with Tudor roses, etc., presented by the foundress, the Countess of Richmond. -Christ's College, Cambridge.

The mounting

of a Mazer Bowl.

The

late Sir A.

W.

Franks.

Small

I5I2.

silver Cn'p.

W ymsiv old Church, L.etcestershire.

Spoon. -Rev. T. Sianiforth. Gothic silver Paten; within a tressure of six spandrils is the head of our Saviour and radiating borders. Heivorth Church, Neii'castle-upon-J'yne. 151

5.

S.

Apostle Spoon, with the maker's mark of an Mrs.

1515.

s.

1

5 15.

s.

1

5 16.

t.

1

5 17.

ij.

S.

Dr. and

Ash lord.

Silver gilt Tazza Cup and Cover, ornamented with 3207. stamped pattern of roses and fleurs de lis. Corpus Christi

College, Oxford.

Apostle Spoon (St. Paul), one of a set of thirteen given by Archbishop Parker. -Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Bishfjp Fox's Spoons, with balls at the ends of the stems. Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Gothic silver Paten, parcel gilt, sunk centre; within a tressure of six arches is the head of our Saviour, a nimbus round His head and radiating borders, engraved and gilt. Rev. T. Staniforth.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

i86

Cycle

III.

May,

1518, to

May,

1538.

(Henry VHI.)

DATE. 1

5 18.

Salt

A. 5448.

Cellar,

of

hour-glass

ioxva.^lronmongers'

Company, London. 1

5 19.

B. Set of twelve Apostle Spoons, maker S. Rev. T. Staniforth.

1520. C. Silver Cup. 1

Cambridge.

Old English Spoon, with

521. D. 5726. /.

Christ's College,

from the Bernal Collection:

fluted

knob on the stem.

Rainey, Esq. Salt

1522. E. 5448.

Cellar,

of

hour-glass

form.

Ironmongers'

Company, London. 1522. E. Spoon, with seal top, in the possession of Dr.

and Mrs.

Ashford, Torquay. 1523. F.

Henry VlII's Cup, repousse with scrolls, and rose, w4th bells on the bottom of the cup. Surgeons' Company, London.

S402.

Cup, silver mounted.

Cocoa-nut pany, London.

1523. F. 5497.

1524. G.

Alms

Vintners'

Com-

5/. Mary Woolnotk Church, City of London. The Grace Cup of St. Thcmas-a-Becket the cup and cover of ivory, mounted in silver gilt, inscribed " Vinvm tvvm bibe cvm gavdio " the ornamented

Dish.

1525. H. 7767.

;

.

.

.

.

The

H. 7753.

silver

;

Philip H. Hoiuard, Esq., of

borders are of a later period. Corby. 1525.

de Barber

fleur

lis

Spoon given by Henry VI

to Sir

Ralph

1463, together with his boots and gloves, at Bolton Hall, after the battle of Hexham, now preserved at Hornby Castle, Lancashire. -Capt. Pudsey Dawson.

Pudsey

in

and Paten, given by Henry VIII to Sir Thomas Trinity College, Oxford. 1528. L. Spoon, with statuette of St. Nicholas, and three children in a tub, of good early work; the .stem is inscribed SYNT. 1527. K. Chalice

Pope.

NYCOLAS PRAY FOR WS. This spoon is supposed to have been formerly used in the Abbey of St. Nicholas, Abingdon, founded by Edward VI. /. Dunn .

.

.

Gardner, Esq. 1529. M. 3202. lege,

Mazer Bowl,

silver gilt

mounting.

.4//

Souls' Col-

Oxford.

Two Apostle Spoons; maker S. Rev. T. Staniforth. O. Silver gilt Cover for cu^. Corpus Christi College, Cam-

1530. N. 1

53

1.

bridge. Silver gilt Cup and Cover, double handled and urn shaped, repousse with scrolls. Christ's College, Oxford. 1537- V. Apostle Spoon, with dots on the date letter as shown on the table. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. LS33- Q- 3204.

t


CHRONOLOGICAL Cycle IV.

May,

LIST.

187

May, 1558. (Henry YIII, Edward VI and Mary.)

1538, to

BATE.

Innholders' Com f any. 1539. B. Apostle Spoon. and Ewer. 1 545. H. Silver gilt rose water Dish

Corpus Chnsti Col-

lege, Cambridge. H. Spoon, witli lion passant on the stem and leopard's head crowned in the bowl. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford, of Torquay. silver gilt Communion Cup and Cover Paten. Beautiful L. 1548. Clapton Church, ]>J or thampt oris hire. St. James's Church, Garlick1549. M. Silver gilt Communion Cup. London. hithe,

1545.

Two

1550. N. 1

55

1.

Two

O.

Communion Cups.

silver gilt

Cornhill,

St.

Michael's Church,

London.

silver gilt

Communion Cups.

5/.

Margaret's Church,

Westminster, L^ondon. 1552. P. Silver gilt Communion Cup. hithe, London. 1553. Q. Silver

St.

Communion Cup.

gilt

N orthamptonshire.

James's Church, Garlick-

Great Honghton Church,

1554. R. Sir Martin Bowes's Cup, presented (according to the Goldsmiths' Company, London. utes) 1 561.

Communion Cup and

1557. V.

Cover.

Min-

Waterbeach Chitrch, Cam-

bridgeshire.

Cycle V. 1558. 1558.

1559. 1559560.

1558, to

May,

1578.

(Elizabetli.)

seal top; maker's mark, mullet and crescent. Rev. T. Staniforth. a. Stone Jug, silver mounted, repousse with scrolls, fruit, satyrs, and masks, the cover surmounted by St. George and the Dragon; on the handle a bifrons maiden's head and quaint head-dress. /. Dunn Gardner, Esq. Silver mounted Stoneware Jug and Cover, with date of ll. R. Temple Frere, Esq. presentation, 1560; maker S. K. a.

b.

Spoon with

Two the

I

May,

r.

silver gilt

Communion Cups.

St. Peter

ad

Yincida,.

Tower of London.

Spoon, with stem cut off obliquely. Rev. T. Staniforth. Spoons, with seal tops maker's mark, a rose. Rev.

Two

;

T. Staniforth. 1

56 1,

ij.

1562.

f.

1

t.

Apostle Spoon. Innholders' Company, London. Delft Tankard, silver mounted, given by David 5500Vintners'

Gifting in 1563. 562.

Apostle Spoon Staniforth.

;

Company, London.

maker's mark, a trefoil

leaf.

Rev. T,


HALL MARKS

88

PLATE.

Ox\

and Cover, given by Archbishop Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. 5S05. Large Cup and Cover, engraved with subjects rethe manufacture of wax, the gift of Richard to lating Normansell. ir^.r Chandlers' Company, London. Silver gilt Communion Cup and Cover Paten.^5/. Liikc's Silver gilt Circular Salt

562.

Parker in 1570.

Church,

W ellingborough,

Northajnptonshirc. maker's mark, a trefoil leaf. Apostle Spoon;

Rev.

T.

Staniforth. 5412. Square Salt, given by Roger Dunster in Clothivorkers' Company, London.

The Cockayne Cups; London.

maker

G,.

-Skinners'

1641.

Company,

Silver gilt Communion Cup. /. P. Dexter, Esq. Plateau; maker R. V. Skinners' Company, London. Set of eleven silver gilt Apostle Spoons, given by Archbishop Parker in \^70.^Corpus Christi College, Cam^727.

bridge. Silver ('up

Kimcote Church, Leicester-

and Cover Paten.

shire.

Silver gilt

Communion Cup and Cover

Paten.

Christ's

College, Cambridge. Silver gilt Cup. -Welford Church, 'N orthamptonshire. Silver gilt Communion Cup and Cover Paten. Trinity

Hall, Cambridge. Silver

Cup and Cover

Paten.

Barnack Church, North-

amptonshire. tit.

Silver gilt .Standing lege,

Cup and

Cover.

C or pus

Christi Col-

Cambridge.

(Aip and Cover, richly ornamented with masks, and flowers, and female heads in relief, surmounted by a nude male figure, given by Archbishop Parker in 1569. Corpus Christi College, Cambridge Brown Stoneware Jug. silver mounted; maker tit. 57293234.

fruit

569.

I.

ttt. tt.

E. A. Sanford, Esq.

R.

5729Silver

Stoneware Jug,

Cup and Cover

silver

mounted.

/.

Toovey, Esq.

Paten. -Pits ford Church, North-

amptonshire.

571-

Z>r. and Mrs. Ashford. used as a Flagon. Gonville and gilt Tankard, Caius College, Cambridge. 0. Silver gilt Tankard, repousse with arabesques, given by Archbishop Parker in 1571. Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Brown Stoneware Jug, silver mounted; maker 0. 5730N. S. interlaced. /. P. Dexter, Esq. It.

Silver seal top Spoon.

tl.

.Silver

.


CHRONOLOGICAL 1571.

0.

572-

JI.

189

Cup and Paten, with engraved Dunn Gardner, Esq.

5731/.

J

LIST.

Earthenware Jug,

5733-

belt,

dated 1576.

mounted.

H. Magniac,

punched ornaments.

Christ's Col-

silver

Esq. I

572.

p.

Silver gilt Tazza, with

Cambridge.

lege,

1573-

IJ.

5734-

Tankard engraved with

Silver

1573-

ij-

5735-

1574-

!*

573^-

and Paten, with engraved

^-"P J.

pattern.

574.

r.

work and

belt of

running

Rainey, Esq.

Silver

Tankard; maker's

\i(t\.\<(iQxv.Ashviolean Mnsettm, 1

strap

female heads; maker's mark, a crab.

medallions of L. HiUh, Esq.

Apostle Spoon

;

initials, C. L.,

a halberd

Oxford.

maker's mark, a

shell.

iv^t'

T. Stani-

forth.

1576.

t.

5739

1576.

t.

5423.

Cup and Paten. -/. Rainey, Esq. Simon Gibbons' square Salt. Goldsmiths' Com-

Silver

^577-

pany, London. Stoneware Jug, silver mounted; maker's ^' 5741C. C. /. D. Gardner, Esq. iy Apostle Spoon. Rev. T. Staniforth.

JS77.

il.

^577-

Handsome mark L H.

Cycle

VI.-

silver gilt cocoa

initials

nut Cup, bearing the maker's

Baron Rothschild.

1578, to

May,

May,

1598.

1578. A. Gilt Apostle Spoon, inscribed "A. Octob. 10. Inter. Hor. 12 et Pri. in

(Elizabeth.)

H. Nata Ano Dni 1578 Aurora Susceptorc Gual

yioysd'Rev. T Staniforth. A. Silver gilt Tankard, repousse with fruit and 1578. 5742. flowers; on the purchase is a mermaid; maker's initials E. S. Baron de Rothscfiild. 1578. A. Silver gilt .Salt Cellar, cylindrical, with high cover, surmounted by a soldier, elaborately ornamented with strap

work and repousse masks,

lions' heads, fruit, etc. maker's mark, a bird Math wings expanded. Sir Richard Wallace. Silver gilt Tazza, chased with cartouches and re1579. B. 5744. pousse helmeted head maker H. C, a hammer and vice. H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge. Silver Cup, in form of a "Pelican in her piety," 1579. B. 5745. the stem ornamented with masks and scrolls, the foot with maker's mark, a bird. Sir Stephen hunting scenes Glynnc, Bart. Dr. and Mrs. 1580. C. Antique Spoon, with terminal female bust. Ashford. ;

;

;


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

190

Cup and Cover; maker's mark, H. C,

a L. Huth, Esq. Silver gilt Ewer and Salver, beautifully chased, 1581. D. 5746. set with Oriental agates: one of the finest examples of Silver gilt

1580. C. 5748.

hammer and

vice.

English plate known maker's mark, a of Rutland. Stoneware Jug, silver mounted. 1 58 1. D. 5750. E. Communion Cup and Cover Paten. 1582 ;

N orthauiptonshire.

1582. E.

The Duke

trefoil.

L. Huth, Esq.

Fawsley

Spoon with baluster knob; maker's mark, a

Church,

shell.

Rev.

T. St a niforth. 1583. F.

Two

silver gilt

Flagons.

St.

Margaret's Church, West-

London.

minster,

Square Salt Cellar. Baron Lionel de Rothschild. Mounted stoneware Jug; maker's mark, B., a pellet A. TF. Franks, Esq. in each space. Porcelain Vase, silver mounted; maker's mark, 1585. FI. 5753. H. Farrer, Esq. three trefoil leaves. maker's I. with seal mark, mullet and ring under. top; 1586. Spoon 1583. F. 5751. 1584. G. 5752.

1586.

I.

Rev. T. Staniforth. mounted cocoa-nut Cup. Esq.

Silver

1587. K. Silver gilt

Communion

Paten.

The St.

late E. P.

Mary

Monckton,

at Hill Church,

London. 1587. K.

Communion Cup and Cover

Paten.

Radston

Church,

Northamptonshire. 1588. L.

5754.

of

Ostrich

Egg Cup;

maker's mark, a flower.

Earl

Home.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. 1588. L. Silver Paten; maker FL C. Messrs. Garrard. 1589. M. Silver Cup; maker's mark, a trefoil. 1589. M. Apostle Spoon; maker's mark, a mullet and crescent. Rev. T. Staniforth.

Rose-water Dish, chased with dolphins and flowers, heads, etc., the gift of William Offley. Merchant Taylors' Company. Rev. T. Staniforth. 1590. N. Spoon with seal top; maker, L. 1 Nezubottle Church, 591. O. Communion Cup and Cover Paten.

1590. N. 5465.

lions'

N orthamptotishire.

Robert Napier, Esq. 591. O. Stoneware Jug, silver mounted. 1592. P. Ostrich Egg Cup, with silver mountings. Corpus Christi 1

College, Cambridge. 1592. P. 5755. Silver gilt Cup, baluster stem. /. P. Dexter, Esq. Silver Tazza. 1593- Q- 5756. /. P. Dexter, Esq. 1 Rev. T. Stani593- Q- Seal top Spoon; maker's mark, a mullet. forth. Gilt Salt Cellar 1594. R. 3206.

and Cover, ornamented with resurmounted by an amorino. Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

pousse

scrolls, etc.,


CHRONOLOGICAL 1594. R.

1595. S.

LIST.

191

Stoneware Jug, silver mounted maker C. B. Hugh Owen, Esq. Ewer and Salver, the gift of Robert Kitchen, 5651. broken up during the Bristol Riots; maker I. B. and a rose ^o\e. Corporation of Bristol. 5757.

;

From St. Faith's Church, 1595. S. Silver gilt Communion Paten. now at St. Augustine's Church, City of London. 1596. T. Spoon with seal top; maker's mark, a v!\n\\e.t.Rev. T. Staniforth. 1

596. T.

Apostle Spoon, R.

1

St. Peter

;

maker

WC or W in a crescent.

Temple

Frere, Esq. Silver Ewer and Salver of very fine work, with sea 597- V. 5678. deities and monsters, Neptune and Amphritrite, etc., the gift of Henry Howard; maker I. N. and a rose below.

1597. V.

Corporation of Nonvich. Cup, "the gyfte of John Stuart,

Rev.

T.

(Elizabeth and James

I.)

A.D.

1600."

Staniforth.

Cycle VII.

May,

1598, to

May,

161

8.

Rev. T. Staniforth. 1598. A. Spoon with seal top; maker W. C. Octavius Morgan, Esq. 1598. A. Parcel gilt Salt Cellar. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. 1599. B. Spice Box, in three compartments. 1599. B. 5445.

Silver Cup, the gift of Grace Gwalter.

Innholders'

Company, London. Rev. T. Staniforth. 1599. B. Apostle Spoon. 1600. C. Communion Cup. -Pickwell Churchy Leicestershire. 1600. C. Silver gilt Candlestick. Pembroke College,

Cambridge.

1

60 1. D. Silver

gilt tonshire.

1601. D. 5771.

Communion Cup.

Maxey Church, Northamp-

Silver gilt Cup, engraved with fruit

and

flowers.

Earl of Derby. 1

60 1. D. 5422.

Circular Salt, the gift of Richard Rogers, "CompHis Majesty's I\Iint," given in 1632 to the Gold-

troller of

smiths'

Company.

60 1. D. Communion Cup. Aynho Church, Northamptonshire. 1602. E. Spoon with seal top; maker T. in a crescent. Rev. T. 1

Staniforth. t6o2. E.

Spoon with

1603. F. Silver

gilt

seal top.

Ewer

Dr.

and

and Mrs. Ashford. Lord Willoughby

Salver.

de

Eresby. 1603. F.

Communion Cup and Cover

Paten.

Coiirteenhall Church,

Northamptonshire. 1604. G.

Communion Cup and Cover

VdXQn. Stanford Church, Northamptonshire. Silver covered Cup, engraved flowers; maker's 1604. G. 5774. mark, I. H. and a bear. Lord Willoughby de Eresby. 14


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

192 SATE.

Tankard, engraved scrolls. Z. Hiith, Esq. The "Cockayne" Loving Cups in the form of 605. H. 5481. T/z^ Skinners' Company, London. cocks. Y^yxxn^W.Clothworkers' Salver, the gift of John 605. H. 5414. Company, London. 7?. Silver gilt Salt Cellar, in form of a temple. 606. I. 604. G. Silver gilt

5;;7-

Neville Grenville, Esq. 606.

L

607. K.

Silver Cup, 5776. Holbtirne, Bart.

with punched ornaments.

Broad and shallow two-handled Cw^.

5z>

T.

TV.

Baron de Roths-

child.

and Salver, with square escutcheons of 607. K. Silver gilt Ewer and engraved interlaced designs between. repousse flowers T^ouis Hiith, Esq. maker W. C.Rev. T. Stantforth. 607. K. Apostle Spoon; Tern fie 608. L. Old English Spoon; maker D. enclosing

C.R.

Frere, Esq. 608. L. Silver gilt Standing

Cup and Coyer.Trinity

Hall,

Cam-

bridge. 609.

M. Handsome

silver

gilt

Standing CuT^.The Marquis of

Exeter. 609. M. Silver 609.

gilt

Cambridge. M. Spoon with

Tazza, on baluster

stem.Chrisfs College,

lion sejant top; maker,

W.

C.

Rev. T. Stani-

forth.

610. N. 610. N.

Old English Spoon. Octavttis Morgan, Esq. Old English Spoon; maker's mark, a pair of compasses. Rev. T. Staniforth. Tall standing

611. O. 5406.

Cup and

Cover.

Broderers'

Com-

pany, London.

Standing Cup, the gift of John Reeves. CarpenCompany, London. Communicated by Mrs. 612. P. Small Paten in Derry Cathedral. Dorothea Alexander, of Black hill, Coleraine. Silver gilt Spice Box maker's mark, a bow between 613- Q- 5778. I. T.Sir T. W. Holburne, Bart. 611. O. 5407. ters'

;

Rev. T. seal top; maker T. in a crescent. Staniforth. Silver gilt Circular Salt, given by John Sweete, 614. R. 5440.

613. Q.

Spoon with

614. R.

Two

\6^^.Innholders* Company, London. Apostle Spoons; maker M. H. joined.

Rev.

T.

Staniforth.

Tall Cup and Cover, surmounted by a statuette of 615. S. 3244. Hercules.^ -St. John's College, Cambridge. 616. T. 5779.

Salver, repousse, subject of Alexander and Darius; Sir T. W. Holburne, Bart.

maker's mark, a trefoil leaf.


CHRONOLOGICAL

LIST.

193

1616. T. Dish, inscribed "The dishes of the Arch Duke gotten at " Taken by the Lord Visthe battle of Newporte," and count Wimbaldon in the year 1600." C. Winn, Esq.

Silver Beaker, engraved with roses,

1617. V. 5780.

161 y.

thistles,

and

pomegranates. /. P. Dexter, Esq. V. Apostle Spoon; maker I. C. Rev. T. Staniforth.

Cycle VIII.

May,

1618, to

May,

1638.

(James

I

and Charles

I.)

Tall silver gilt Tankard, repousse with strap work of sea monsters and the arms of Norwich, of fine work. -Corporation of Norwich. Lofty silver Beaker and Cover, engraved with imbricated " The pattern, surmounted by a female figure, inscribed gyfte of Sir William Cockayne, sonne of Roger Cockayne, of Baddesley, Warwickshire, 16 19." E. C. Baring, Esq.

161 8. a. 5580.

and medallions

161 8.

a.

1619. 1619. 1620.

b.

1620.

c.

1

62 1,

b. c.

d.

C.Rev. T. Staniforth. All Sotds' College, Oxford. Silver Communion Plates. Salt Cellar, with double receptacles and open covers, surmounted by an obelisk. Dr. G. Dasent. Apostle Spoon. Rev. T. Staniforth. Apostle Spoon; maker R.

W

.

Pair of silver gilt Tankards, given by Richard Wyatt, citizen and carpenter maker I. C. W. Cozier, Esq. Spoon, seal top; maker I. F. Another of the same date, with maker's mark, B. Y., over a three-barred gate. R. 5782.

;

1621. d.

Temple 1622. 1622.

e.

1622.

e.

e.

Frere, Esq. 5z>

Apostle .Spoon. Apostle Spoon.

Communion Cup

W.

Stirling, of Keir.

Innholders^ and Paten.

Company, London. St.

Antholin's Church, City

of London. 1623.

/.

and

1624. g. 1624. g. 1625. h. 1626.

i.

The Camden Cup and

Cover, repousse with leaves Painter Stainers^ Company, London. Three Apostle Spoons; maker S. V. Rev. T. Staniforth. Silver Paten at Mark, Somersetshire. Silver gilt Cup, the gift of Richard Chester to the 5784. Corporation; maker T. F. Viscoicnt Clifden. Rose-water Dish, the gift of Francis Couell. Skin5482. 5407.

inscription.

Company, London. Skinners' Salts, given by John Wetterwcrth. Company, London. k. Six Silver Apostle Spoons, given in the same Innyear. holders' Company, London. /. R. Temple Frere, Esq. .Spoon, seal top; maker R. I. /. Apostle Spoon; maker D. Rev. T. Staniforth. m. The Ivatt Cup, given in the same year. Haberdashers' Company. m. Spoon with seal top; maker R. G. Rev. T. Staniforth. ners'

1626 1627. 1628. 1628.

1629. 1629.

i.

5439.

Two

Rev. T. Staniforth. 1630. n. Apostle Spoon. 1630. n. Silver Communion Cup. Queen's College, Oxford.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

194

1

63 1,

o.

1.

o.

163

1632. f.

1633.

q.

1633.

q.

1634.

r.

Apostle Spoon; maker D.Rev T. Staniforth. Silver Communion Cup. BrooDifield Church, Kent. St. James's Church, Silver Communion Cup and Paten. Dover.

Large Silver Flagon. Corporation of Bristol. Two-handled Cup. R. Tern fie Frere, Esq. Pair of Tankards; given by John Dodridge. 5650.

Cor-

poration of Bristol. 1634.

r.

1635.

s.

1635.

s.

r636.

t.

1636.

/.

1637. v. 162,7-

V.

Apostle Spoon; maker C. D.

Rev. T. Staniforth. the Circular Salt, gift of Sir Hugh Hammersley, 5433. Knight. Haberdashers^ Company, London. Apostle Spoon, inscribed with date of presentation, 1635; maker C. D. Rev. T. Staniforth.

Apostle Spoon. 6^. H. Head, Esq. Apostle Spoon, inscribed with date of presentation, 1637; maker C. D. Rev. T. Staniforth. Apostle Spoon, 1637; maker R. C. Rev. T. Staniforth. " Fides ex 5438. Loving Cup, repousse work, inscribed Charitate agens valet." Haberdashers' Company, London.

Cycle IX.

May,

1638, to

May,

1658.

(Charles

I

and Common-

wealth.) 1638. A.

Two-handled Cup and Cover, embossed with South Kensington Museum.

flowers.

Circular Salt, of hour-glass form. Mercers' Company, London. 1639. B. 5493. Loving Cup, the gift of Robert Bateman, ChamberSkinners' Company, Loitdon. lain, of London. Two Wine Cups, the gift of John Harris to the 1639. B. 5785. Company of Taylors, Oxford, in 1639. /. Dunn Gard1638. A. 5458.

ner,

1640. C.

Esq.

Communion

Paten.

St.

Alban's Church,

Wood

Street, City

of London.

Four Cups, the gift of George Humble, in 1640. Leather sellers' Company, London. D. Two seal top Spoons, with date of presentation. Rev. T.

1640. C. 5452. 1

64 1.

Staniforth. 1641.

D. 5787.

Viscount Clifden. Cup and Cover; maker R. Two-handled Porringer. R. Temple Frere, Esq. H. Communion Paten. St. Vedasfs Church, City of London. /. Silver Spoon; maker C. D. Rev. T. Staniforth. /. Spoon, with seal top; maker T. H. in monogram. ;f?. Temple Frere, Esq. 'i^i.

1642. E.

1645. 1646. 1646.

Willisham Church, Suffolk. 1647. K. Silver Paten. St. James's Church, 1648. L. Silver gilt Communion Cover Paten. City of London.


CHRONOLOGICAL

LIST.

195

Spoon, seal top; maker T. H. joined. R. Temple Frere, Esq. Tankard, the gift of W. Clissworth, 1661. 1649. M. 5417. 1648. L.

1650.

165

1.

1652.

1653.

A^.

Coopers' Company, London. Cup, the gift of George 'Qx&ion.

5491.

-Skinners^

Com-

pany, London. Four Apostle Spoons. Corporation of Hedon. 0. 5667. P. 5788. Covered Cup, said to have been given by Oliver Cromwell to his daughter. Lady Fauconberg; maker E. S. The late Paul Battler, Esq. Q. 5504. Cup and Cover, the gift of Thomas Bloodworth, in 1682. Vintners'' Company, London.

W

Sir T. Silver Ladle. Holbnrne, Bart. 1653. Q- 57^9Rev. T. Staniforth. 1654. R. Apostle Spoon; maker S. V. Silver Cup, given by Christopher Pirn to the Black1655. S. 5791. " smiths' Company, inscribed By hammer and hand all " arts do stand ; maker I. W. /. P. Dexter, Esq. .

Tankard. /. Dunn Gardner, Esq. 1655. S. 5790. T. Old 1656. English .Spoon; maker W. C. Rev. T. Staniforth. 1657.

I'.

Apostle Spoon.

1657.

]'.

Cup and

Cycle

C'over.

X.- -May, 1658, to

1658.

Innholders" Cojnpany, L^ondon. Peterhouse College, Cambridge.

May,

1678.

(Commonwealth and Chas.

Silver gilt Cup, the gift of

''5444.

Edward

II.)

Osborne.

Company, London. 5665. Large Mace, the gift of Henry Guy. Corporation of Hedon. Spoon with seal top; maker S. V. R. Temple Frere, Esq.

Innholders'

Silver \l2ice.

5655.

Corporation of Doncaster.

Three Apostle Spoons.

Innholders'

Company, L^ondon.

Silver Salver, repousse with the labours of Her5794. Baron LJonel de Rotliscliild. cules and trophies of arms. F^arl Salver. Spencer, K.G. 5901. Large

Goldsmiths' Company, L.ondon. Cup. The late Paul Butler, Esq. stem maker I. I., a bird, and fleur de lis.

Silver Grace Cup. .Silver

5795. 1|.

Spoon, flat Rev. T Staniforth. Cup given by Charles ;

.

Embossed Silver Cup. Old English Spoon. Rose-water Dish. 1669.

Si.

II to

the Corporation of Oxford. Morgan, Bart.

Sir Charles

O. Morgan, Esq. Queen's College, Oxford.

Two-handled Bowl and Cover.

Sir C.

Morgan, Bart.

* The stamp of the ( luiich-text A on some of these pieces, towards the of the official year, appears to have been injured.

end


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

196 DATE.

1669. ffi.

Cup and Cover, engraved with the royal arms and the arms of Robertus Creyghtonus; on the cover is inscribed " Ex donis Caroli Secundi Regis." Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

1670.

^.

1670. |S

Queen's College, Oxford. Porringer, inscribed 1670. Rat-tailed Spoon. -Major C. A. Mark ham.

167 1. <.

Communion

1672.

5683.

Westminster Abbey. the gift of Thomas Bawtrey, Tankards, ^, Lord Mayor of the City of York in 1673. Corporation of plate.

Two

York.

^. 1673. ^1672.

1674. fl. 1674.

Jl.

Two-handled Cup; maker M G. R. Temple Frere, Esq. C'overed Cup maker I. N. in fine gold, plain with 579^scroll handles, coiled serpent on the cover. (Hall marks the same as on silver.) /. IT. Walrond, Esq. Two-handled Cup, the gift of Sir John Cutler to 5799Charles Lush; maker I. N. The late Paul Butler, Esq. ;

;

5797-

Two Cups

fitting into

each other, matted surface.

ir. B.

1675.

^.

5800.

Stopford, Esq. Set of three Casters

1676. %>

Cup and Cover with two

1676. %,

Silver

1677.

H.

1^77-

SI.

1677.

.

a

maker R. A.

handles.

5.

A'.

f Rainey, Esq. .

Mnsenm.

Corporation of Oxford.

li'axAs.'a.xA.

8103. Cup. Messrs. Pair of Candlesticks.

Hunt and

Roskell.

Earl of Charlemont. stem, triple rat-tail ornament; maker A. K.

Spoon, flat Rev. T. Staniforth.

Cycle XI.^May, 1678, William 1678.

;

5803.

to

&

March, 1697. (Charles Mary, and William III.)

Two-handled

Cup,

chased

with

II,

James

leaves.

/.

II,

P

Dexter, Esq. 1679. 1680.

h* r*

5804.

Silver Ladle.

5461.

The "Brett" Loving Cup and

Taylors' 1

68 1.

il

/.

P. Dexter, Esq.

Cover.

Merchant

Company, London.

5806. Large silver Cistern, the handles in form of peacocks, resting on four lions' claws, weighing 2,000 oz. maker R. L.* Duke of Rutland. ;

1682.

t*

1682.

t*

Tankard.

Sir T. IT. Holburne, Bart. with Spoons, heart-shaped ends; maker E. H. and crown. Rev. T. Staniforth. 5807.

Two

* It holds GO gallons, and is said to have been filled with caudle when the father of the late Duke was born, and with punch at the christening of the Marquis of Granby in January, 1814, the Prince Regent being sponsor.


CHRONOLOGICAL 1683.

f.

1683.

f.

1683.

f.

197

Silver Tazza, with figures in the centre of Jupiter, maker W. F. Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart. ;

5808.

Diana,

LIST.

etc.

Oval Casket and Cover, engraved with Chinese South Kensington Museum. birds, etc.

figures,

Basin engraved with Chinese figures, trees, fountains and /. Dunn Gardner^ Esq. Covered Bowl, pounced with Chinese figures; 5809. maker I. I. and lis. Sir T. W. Holburne, Bart. Spoon, flat stem, heart-shaped end; maker L. C. crowned.

birds.

1684. 1684.

jj

Brett Collection. 1685. 1686.

\i*

Silver Tankard.

i

Communion

Messrs. Garrard.

Plate; maker's initials

I.

S. in

monogram.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

1687.

Tankard, the gift of James Langdon Reynolds; 5945maker I. R. crowned. Skinners^ Company, London. k Mace with the arras of James II. Mayor and Corpora-

1688.

I.

1686.

t*

tion of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Circular Salver, engraved with Chinese figures. 5810. P. Dexter, Esq.

/.

1688.

1689.

1690.

1

69 1.

Pair of Candlesticks, in form of architectural 581 1. columns. W. Maskell, Esq. Rev. T. Staniforth. lit* Spoon with heart-shaped end. n* 5813. Silver Tankard, the cover in form of a helmet repousse with trophies, etc.; maker G. G. Baron Lionel de Rothschild. Embossed Altar Candlesticks. Westminster Abbey.

!

1692.

p.

1693.

q

1693.

1694. 1695. 1696.

Silver Q.\x^.] esus College, Oxford.

Wine Cups.

Pair of

J.

Dunn

Gardner, Esq.

Two

Spoons; maker L. C. Rev. T. Staniforth. ^* Mercers' Company, London. X* Silver Loving Qmi^. P. Silver Cup of Richard Deeble, 1724. 5. 5815. Doyle, Esq. t.

5816.

M. A.

Cycle XII.

Pair of

Fire

Dogs

at

W.

Hampton Court; maker

His Majesty the King.

March, 1697, to May, 17 16. George I.)

(William

III,

Anne, and

1697. A. 5817. Teapot of rock-work, vine-leaves and grapes. 5?V T. W. Holburne, Bart. Silver-gilt Cup with Cover, on the top the royal 1697. B. 5818. arms and W. III and a pair of large pricket Candlesticks on tripod stems, with the royal arms of W. Ill

R

;

;

maker 1698. C. 5894.

d A

.

The Duke of Manchester.

Pair of silver gilt Candlesticks.

Rev. G. Jepson.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

igS DATE.

C. H. Leigh, Esq. E. Ewer, engraved with the royal arms Helmet-shaped 5902. 1700. H. A. Lord Willoughby de maker William of III;

1699.

D. Silver Candlesticks.

Eresby.

Large silver Fountain, engraved with the Marlborough arms; maker H. A..~Earl Spencer, K.G. F. 5894. Two Ewers and Salvers, engraved with the Marlborough arms; and large Cistern weighing 1,920 oz., Marlborough plate; maker H. A. Earl Spencer, K.G.

1/00. E. 5898. 1

70 1.

1701. F. Pair of massive Flagons,

Marlborough plate; maker G. O.

Earl Spencer, K.G.

crowned. stars above and 70 1 F. 5907. Ewer and Salver; maker W. L, two Abercorn. lis below. of Marquis Helmet-shaped Ewer, with female" bust handle, en1702. G. 5910. " graved with the royal arms and motto, Semper eadem maker M. E. Lord Willoughby de Eresby. 1

;

1703. 1703.

H. 591 1. Tureen; maker Ne. Lord Bateman. H. Silver Porringer. R. Temple Frere, Esq. Silver Porringer.

R.

Temple Frere, Esq. stem, heart-shaped end; maker L. A. and crown. Spoon, Rev. T. Staniforth. Two-handled Cup and Cover, with the royal arms, 1705. K. 5912. The late presented by Queen Anne to Sir John Leake. 1704.

/.

1704.

/.

flat

Paid Butler, Esq. K. Two-handled Cup; maker's mark, an anchor dividing the 1705. letters W. A. Captain North's Collection. Gilt Communion Service, the salver engraved with 1706. L. 5913. Earl of Stamford and Warthe Descent from the Cross. rington. 1706. L.

Tankard.

Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. Loving Cup, given by William Humphreys. mongers' Company, London.

1706. L. 5449. 1707. 1708.

M. Old English Spoon. 0. Morgan, Esq. iV. The Goldsmiths' Company's Minutes. A'^. Silver Porringer; maker B. E. R. Temple Frere, Esq

1708. R. Temple Frere, Esq. 1709. 0. Silver Porringer. 1 R. Temple Frere, Esq. 7 10. P. Silver Porringer. Four circular Salt Cellars; maker P. A. 171 1. Q. 5914. rose.

17 1 2.

1

71 2.

W

under a

Maskell,*Esq. R. 5450. Loving Cup, the gift of Randulph Lane, in the same year. Ironmongers' Company, London. R. Salver, engraved with the royal arms and motto, "Semper eadem," 15! in. diam. maker F. A., lis above, pellet below. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. .

;

1

Iron-

71 3. 5. Silver

Tankard.

J.

Dunn

Gardner, Esq.


CHRONOLOGICAL 17 1 3. S.

Two Cups and Alms

199

Cover Patens, Flagon, Bread Holder, and and made by Paul de Lamerie.*

all silver gilt,

Dish, Castle Ashby Church,

171^. T. Snuffers' Tray. 1

LIST.

N orthamptonshire.

Pembroke College, Cambridge.

Loving Cup, the gift of Hugh Radcliffe. HaberCompany, London. R. Temple Frerc, Esq. T. Pepper Caster; maker V. I. Rev. T. Stuniforth.' V. Six Spoons; maker Sc.

714. T. 5432.

dashers'

1714.

171

5.

Cycle XIII. 17 16. A.

May,

1716, to

May.

1736.

Two-handled Porringer; maker

(George

F. L.

-R.

I

and

Temple

II.)

Frere,

Esq. 17 17. B. Silver Monteith or

Punch-Bowl, with a detached escallop G. Fanshawe, Esq. B. Silver Porringer. R. Temple Frere, Esq. C. 5919. Silver Waiter. /. P. Dexter, Esq. C. 5920. Silver Basin and Cov^er; maker W. I., two stars and lis. Sir IF. Stirling of Keir. D. 5921. Pair of covered Cups, chased with scrolls and head of Bacchus. Earl of Stamford and Warrington. E. 5657. Sugar Tongs. Corporation of Doncaster. F. 5677. Cup, the gift of John Kilpatrick. Corporation of Norzvich. CroivJiiirst Clinrch. G. Silver Paten. H. Communion C'up, Paten, Flagon and Alms Dish. Lowick

rim./.

1

7 17.

1718. 1718. 1719. 1720. 1

72 1.

1722. 1723.

Church,

1724.

I.

1725. K.

1726. L. 1727. M.

Isl

orthamptonshire. R. Temple Frere, Esq. Porringer. Silver gilt Oar, a copy of a more ancient one of 6005. the time of Queen Elizabeth, 3 ft. 3 in. long, inscribed, " This oar, a badge of authority, used by the ancient Corporation of Boston, was sold by the modern Town Council in 1832, and purchased by Francis Thurkill, Esq., an Alderman of that Borough, by whose widow it was presented in 1840 to the Earl Brownlow." Earl Broivnloiv. Two-handled Porringer. R. Tejuple Frere, Esq. in a square (second size punch), Paten; the date letter the larger one being in the form of a shield. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. 5923. Helmet-shaped Ewer, engraved with the arms of

Two-handled

M

1727.

M.

1727.

George I. M. Handsome

/.

P. Dexter, Esq.

silver gilt

helmet-shaped Ewer.

TJie

Marquis

of Exeter. *

The first entry of Paul de T.anierie in the mark-book of the Goldsmiths' Hall occurs in 1712, Avhen lie resided at the Golden Ball, in "Windmill Street, in the Haymarket. In 1739 he removed to Garrard Street or Gerard Street, Soho. His mark np to 1732 was L. A. ciouned. In 1733 it was altered to P. L. crowned for the Old Standard.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

200 BATE.

1728.

M. Alms Dish. London.

1728. N. 5928.

5/.

Helen's Church, Bishops gate,

Gilt Toilet Service;

maker L L.

City

of

Earl of Stamford

and

\Varringto7i. Lord Bateman. Silver Basin, scrolls and flowers. 1729. O. 5929. Earl of Stamford and P. A. crowned. maker Six P. Sconces; 1730.

Warrington.

Holy Trinity Church, MinCity of London. 1 73 1. Q. Silver Paten. Saint fohn's Church, Peterborough. Pair of gilt Tankards; maker P. L. (Paul de 1732. R. 5934. Lamerie), star and crown above, lis below. Earl of Stamford and Warrington. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. 1732. R. Two-handled Cup. Basket of wicker pattern; maker P. L. (Paul Bread S. 5938. 1733. de Lamerie), crown and star above, lis below. J. Dunn boss. 1730. P. Dish, with gilt centre ories.

Gardner, Esq. Jesus College, Cambridge. 1733. S. Fork. 1734. T. Silver gilt Cup, Cover Paten, Flagon and Alms Dish. Private Chapel in Bjtrghley House, orthamptonshire.

N

1734. T. 5671.

The Walpole Mace; maker

T. R.

Corporation of

Norwicli.

Paid de Lamerie, Easton Nesion Church, N orthamptonshire. 1735. V. Teapot, melon-shaped, chased with shells and flowers.

1735. T. Beautiful silver gilt Flagon.

/.

Dunn

Gardner, Esq.

Cycle XIV. 1736.

a.

1736, to

Sacramental Flagon.

1737. b. 5939. ^7?)7-

May,

May,

1756.

(George IL)

Crowhurst Church.

Paten. Messrs. Hunt and Roskell. Cover Paten. Harpole Chiirch, 'Northampton-

Cup and

b.

Cup and

c.

Silv^er

shire.

1738.

1739. d. 1740.

e.

74 1.

f.

Cup and Cover Paten and Flagon. Abthorp, Northamptonshire. Spoon, the stem surmounted by a group representing Charity. Hon. G. Mostyn. Pair of Vases and Covers, chased with deities and 5426. emblems of the arts and sciences, scroll handles of terminal figures; maker's initials T. T. Goldsmiths Co7npany, London.

1

Large Ewer and Salver, handsomely chased with " deities, Minerva holding a scroll inscribed, By " and I maker am restored prudence good management Paul de Lamerie. Goldsmiths' Company, L^ondon. Silver Cup and Cover, elaborately chased; maker 5940. P. L. (Paul de Lamerie), and star, crown above, lis below.

5424.

heathen

;

1742. g.

Messrs.

Hunt and

Ros/eell.


CHRONOLOGICAL

LIST.

201

Pair of Silver Dishes; maker N. S., star above. His Majesty the King. Cake Basket, with mermaid handles; maker H. W.D"

1743. h. 5941. 1744.

i.

and Mrs. Askford. Major C. A. Markham. 1744. i. Small silver Mug. orthamptonshire. 1744. i. Communion Paten. -1^ or ton Churchy From St. Antholin's Church, now at 1745. k. Silver gilt Tankard. St. Mary's Chiirch, Aldermary, City of London.

N

Standing Cup and Cover.

1745. k. 1746. 1.

Two

silver gilt Flagons.

Clare College, Cambridge. Martin in the Field's Church,

St.

London. 1747. m. 5943.

Pair of tortoiseshell Caddies, silver mounted, ornamented with repousse work in figures, scrolls, etc. maker P. L. (Paul de Lamerie), crown and star above, lis below. ;

Dunn

/.

Gardner, Esq.

1748. n. Pair of Vases and Covers, with acanthus-leaf ornament. Jos. Bond, Esq. and Alms Dish. -Eydcn 1748. m. Communion Paten, Flagon,

Church,

N orthamptonshire.

Communion Communion

1749. o 1750. p.

Great Warley Church, Essex. orthampBoddington Church,

Qv.^.

N

Cnp.U pper

tonshire.

Cruet .Stand by Paul de Lamerie./.

1750. p. 5944. ner,

175

1,

175

1,

1752.

Communion

Cup and Flagon. Northamptonshire. Silver Cruet. /. H. Walter, Esq.

q.

q.

Communion Cup and

r.

Is!

Paten.

r.

Small Tea

r.

5649.

1753.

s.

Communion Cup and Cover

1753^7541754.

s.

1755-

u.

1755.

u.

Church,

Middleton Cheney Church,

Walter, Esq. Corporation of Bristol. Paten.

Daventry

Church,

Set of Casters. Sir W. Stirling, of Ketr. with Jug repousse foliage. Jesus College, Cambridge. Two Tea Caddies; maker M. F. Earl of Stamford 5948. and Warrington. 5950. Milk-pot, repousse, with vine-leaves and grapes; maker P. B. Sir T. Holburne, Bart. Flagon Dragenham Church, Essex. 5945.

W

Cycle XV. 1756.

Cliff e

Caddy./. H.

State Sword.

N orthamptonshire.

t.

King's

orthampton.ihire.

1752. 1752.

t.

Dunn Gard-

Esq.

^-

May,

1756, to

May,

.

1776.

(George

II

and George

III.)

Tea-kettle, gourd-shaped, engraved with land595^scapes and figures on a stand. /. D. Gardner, Esq. ;

1756- %,'

Communion Flagon.

Kettering Church, Northampton-

shire.

^757-

18-

Two

silver

gilt

Communion

Patens.

St.

Church, King and Martyr, City of London.

Edmund's


1/58.


CHRONOLOGICAL ft-

i;;2 1772

Ji

1772

fi.

^773

LIST.

203

Pair of pillar Candlesticks. Lord Bateman. 5967. Fluted Vase and Cover, satyr-head handles, festoons, etc., fluted bod}', square foot. South Kensington Miiseiim.

Gold Cup and Cover. Peterhouse, Cambridge. ^. Handsome silver Fire Irons. The Marquis of Exeter. %. Corinthian column Candlestick. CAare College, Cambridge. Kettle and Stand, chased with foliage, \^z.xQ&x\Qi. Messrs. Hancock.

U73 ^. Tea

1774

%. %. %,

1774

9^.

1774 1774

1775 1775

Candlestick.

Silver gilt Spoon.

^.

1776.

a.

1776.

a.

Meyrick, Esq.

Temple Frere, Esq. Bartholometv the Great Church,

Queen's College, Cambridge. -Harlington Church, Middlesex. Four Salt Cellars; maker S. M. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

Communion Cup.

Cycle XVI. a.

St.

IF.

C.R.

City of London. Cup and Cover.

.

1776.

Brett Collection.

Two-handled Cup; maker W.

by Paul de

Silver

May,

1776, to i\Iay, 1796.

and

Cup

N orthaviptonshire.

Cover

Paten.

(-George III.)

Northborough

Church,

1777. b.

Coffee-pot; maker's mark W. G. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. Pair of Candlesticks, in form of figures holding flowers. Messrs. Hancock. Silver Cup. Easton on the Hill Church, Northampton-

1777. b.

Milk Jug; maker

shire.

177^.

c.

1779. d.

S. I. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. Set of three Vases, designed by Addims.Percy Doyle, Esq. Silver Cup, Cover Paten, Flagon and Alms Dish. Whilton Church, orthamptonshire.

N

Pair of Vases, open-work body, with rams' heads and festoons maker W. G. R. /. W. Brett, Esq. Cream Jug, repousse with flowers and scrolls, stalk handle. Two Communion Patens. Hanwell Church, Middlesex. Two Communion Tankards, Cup and Cover Paten. St. Bartholomew the Less Church, London. Muffineer. -Jesus College, Cambridge. Cream Jug; maker H. B. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. Small two-handled Cup, stamped at the Hall between December I, 1784, and July 24, 1785, with these four marks 1st, the drawback mark of Britannia incuse;* 2nd, the duty mark of the King's head incuse; 3rd, the Hall mark of a leopard's head in relief; 4th, the maker's initials; the date letter being omitted. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

\77g. d. 5969.

;

1780.

e.

78 1.

f.

1

1782. g. 1783. h. 1783. h.

1784.

i.

:

*

This refers to the drawback.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

204 DATt.

i;85. k. Pair of Salts,

open

ribs,

festoons and lions'

heads./. D.

Gardner, Esq. Pair of Cups, with ivory plaques; maker L B. His 1. 59/1. 1786. Majesty the King. 1. Gravy Holder. ~-M;or C. A. Markham. i;86. More ton Pinkney Church, Northainp178;. m. Silver Alms Dx%h.. tonshire.

Long silver Gravy S^oon. Major C. A. Markham. 1788. Silver gilt Salt Cellars; maker's mark M. N., R. G. 1788. n. 5676. n.

Lord Bate7nan. 1789.

o.

1791. q. 1792.

r.

1792.

r.

1793.

s.

Two

silver

Cups.

Pembroke College, Cambridge. Snuffers Tray. Silver globe Inkstand. /. TV. Brett, Esq. 5978. Communion Cup, Paten, Flagon and Alms Dish. ley Church,

1793.

s.

Spratton Church, Northamptonshire. Queniburgh Church, Leicestershire.

Communion Flagon.

Blakes-

N orthamptonshire.

Urn and Tea Pot with

Stand.

Queen's College,

Cam-

bridge. 1794. 1794.

t. t.

1795. u.

Flagon. Ley ton Church, Essex. Fish Slice. Queen's College, Cambridge.

Handsome

Cycle XVII.

The Marquis of

silver Fire Iron.

May,

1796, to

May,

1799.

Exeter.

(George

.

III.)

St. Bride's CJiurch, London. 1796. A. Silver gilt Spoon. Great Bcalings Church, Stiff oik. 1797. B. Two Communion Patens. Nether Br ought on Clturch, Leicester1798. C. Communion Paten. shire.

1799. D.

Small

1799. D.

Communion Cup.

1799. D.

Four Spoons.

silver

Taper Holder. -T.

The

Marqiiis of Exeter.

Sapcote Church, Leicestershire. R. Matthew, Esq.


LONDON GOLD AND SILVER

SMITHS.



iaiibon

(Snlir

Stl&a* Smitijs,

auii

list of marks or touches used by London gold between the middle of the fourteenth and the end " of the eighteenth century, has been principally compiled from The " in The Plate of the Churches the of Communion London," City Communion Plate of the Parish Churches in the County of Lon" don," The Communion Plate of the Parish Churches in the County of Middlesex," "The Communion Plate of the Parish Churches in " and " The Church Plate of the County of the County of Essex Northampton," by permission of the authors of these works, and "An Illustrated Catalogue of the Loan Collection of Plate exhibited in the Fitzwilliam Museum, May, 1895," by permission of the publishers of this work.

The following

and

silver smiths,

MAKER

MARK.

S

.\RTICLE.

Within an oval shield

1350

Silver gilt Beaker and Trinity Hall, Cover. bridge.

1507

Silver parcel gilt Chal-

thefollowing charges: in base a lion transfixed, in dexter chief two keys in saltire,

and

in sinister

two

Cam-

es-

callops.

Maiden's head, out shield.

A

A

with-

fish.

1507

Silver gilt Beaker and Christ's College, Cover. bridge.

heart.

1515

Silver

Capital

1518

without

Cam-

Apostle Corpus Christi College,

gilt

Cambridge.

Spoon.

D

West Drayton Church, Middlesex.

ice.

Silver parcel gilt Dish, St.

Mary

Woolnoth

Church, City of Lon-

shield.

don.

A

and

crescent

star.

1520

Silver

gilt

Standing Christ's

Cup and Cover.

A

ragged

1521

staff.

A

Mazer, with mounts.

silver

gilt

A mark 8,

A I

C

like the figure

1521

cross

orb

tween

on orb.

and

cross

gilt

be-

Communion Alms

1531

Silver

Maiden's head crowned, 1543

Cam-

Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Communion Great Walth am Church,

1524

letters.

in outline.

Silver

Paten.

without shield.

College,

bridge.

Essex. Dish. St. Magnus Church, City of London.

Cover gilt Standing Cup.

of

Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Rose Water Corpus Christi College, Dish and Ewer. Cambridge.

Silver gilt

207

15


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

208

W

ARTICLE.

MAKER'S MARK.

DATE.

above curved

1548 Silver gilt Communion! Clapton Church, Northamptonshire. Cup and Cover Paten.

line.

|

Covered cup in shaped 1548 Silver Cup. shield.

RD

in

monogram

1549 Silver gilt

in

in

Communion;

St.

Communion

St.

1549 Silver gilt

shield.

shaped

Communion

St.

in monogram plain shield.

Jewry

Church City

of

London.

1552 Silver gilt

in

James's

Garlickhithe,

Cup.

TL

Lawrence

Church, City of Lon don. Peter upon Cornhill Church, City of London.

Cup.

plain shield.

FB

gilt

Communion:

Cup.

'

St.

James's

Garlickhithe,

Church, City of

London. I

R

M

I

above some mark, 1553 Silver Cup. i

W

1557

gilt

Communion Great Houghton Church, |

Northamptonshire.

Communion

and; Waterbeach

Cup

Cover Paten.

A

bird in shaped shield. 1559

i

Communion Cup.

Church, Cambridgeshire. Botolph's Church, Aldgate, City of London.

St. |

j

i

A

cone shaped mark, above two semicircles.

1559 Silver

gilt

Communion

St. j

Cup and Cover Paten.;

HW

pellet above and 1559 below in shaped out-

Communion Cup.

Mary-le-Bow Church, City of London.

Vedast's Church, Citv of London.

St.

line.

Fleur de

Communion gilt ' " Cup and Cover Paten.

in shaped 1559 Silver '"

lys,

shield.

SK

in

-r^

shaped 1559 Stone ware Jug, silver mounts.

heart

shield.

A mullet, without

shield.

1559 Silver gilt

St.

Stephen's

.

Avith

Communion

Cup.

Walbrook, London.

Church, of City

R. Temple Frere, Esq St.

Dunstan's

Stepney,

Church,

County

of

London.

C C linked in

rectangle.

1559 Silver

gilt

Communion

Cup.

A

stag's head, in shaped 1561

linked,

in

shaped 1561

six-pointed

ellipse.

Vincula

Tower

of

Harefield Church, County of Middlesex.

Communion Cup.

North Ockendon Church, Essex.

shield.

A

ad

Communion Cup.

shield,

RB

Peter Church, London.

St.

star

in 1561

Silver

Cup.

gilt

Communion

St.

Lawrence

Jewry

Church, City of London.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

I

209

MARK.

S

C, an animal's head 1562 Parcel in between letters, Cup.

gilt

Communion Hadley Monken Church, Middlesex.

plain shield.

A hand,

holding a cross 1562

crosslet, in line.

RD A

shaped out

holly

leaf,

and! Christchurch Church City of London.

Cup

Cover Paten. 1562 Silver gilt Cover.

linked letters.

shield.

Communion

and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Salt

i

without 1562 Silver gilt Communion St. Stephen's Church, Paten. of Walbrook, City

London.

FG

above star, shaped shield

in

1562 Silver gilt Communion St. Margaret's Church, of Cover Paten. City Lothbury, 1

j

London. circa

A An

cart wheel.

acanthus

1562

monogram

in 1563

P

Communion Cup.

in shaped shield.

1563

Silver

gilt

C

G

in plain shield.

A

Capital

in

1565

Cover Rainham

Church,

Es-

sex.

gilt

Communion

St.

Luke's Church, WelNorth-

lingborough, amptonshire.

Communion Cup.

Warley Church,

Little

Essex.

The Cockayne Cups. gilt Communion Cup and Cover Paten.

shaped 1566 Silver

shield.

Church

Essex.

Communion

Dexter hand open be- 1564 Silver neath crown. Cup. in a shield with es- 1564 calloped top.

Church, Es

Communion Hornchurch

Paten.

I

Ham

East sex.

Cup.

plain shield. I

Cam

Communion Heydon Church, Cup and Cover. bridgeshire.

within sun in splen- 1563 dour. in

Clipston Church, Northamptonshire.

1563 Silver gilt

leaf.

W

RD

Communion Cup.

The Skinners' Company, London. fft.

Alban's

Wood

Church,

Street, City of

London.

Ry

above heart.

1566

Plateau.

St.

Alban's

Wood

Church,

Street, City of

London.

A A demi

stag.

1566 Set of silver gilt Apos- Corpus Christi College, tle Spoons, Cambridge.

ing a flag.

1567 Silver gilt Paten.

TB

1567

lion sejant hold-

in

monogram.

Communion

Communion

St.

Stephen's

Walbrook, London.

Cuy

Cover Paten.

and Christ's bridge.

Church, of City

College,

Cam-


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

2IO

MAKER

A

S

dexter hand grasping 1568 Silver gilt Communion Harrow Church, Middlesex. a hammer, in shaped Cup and Cover Paten. stamp.

RF

shield.

A hand holding Avith flowers leaves.

R

a branch 1568

and

of shield.

HS

St. Mary-le-BoAv Church, City of London.

gilt Communion Cup and Cover Paten.

Trinity Hall,

Silve.r

gilt

amptonshire.

ware Jug silver mounts.

grapes in plain 1569

Cam-

bridge.

Communion Welford Church, North

1569 Stone

not crowned.

Bunch

Communion Cup and Cover Paten.

Silver gilt

head in shaped 1568 Silver Cup.

stag's shield. I

in 1568

monogram

in

shaped

A

OWNER.

MARK.

Communion

witli

Cuj).

E. A. Stanford, Esq.

Barnack Church, Northamptonshire.

1569

Communion Cup.

out- 1569

Communion Cup.

Cosgrove Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion Cup.

Great Doddington Church, Northampton

interlaced.

Brigstock Church.

Northamptonshire. in

Trefoil

shaped

line.

Small black letter

O

in

1569

circle.

shire.

animal's head plain shield.

An I

H

above

trefoil

in

1569

de

lys

shield.

A

fish

in 1569

in ellipse.

1569

shaped shield.

1569

with

X

Italic shield.

in

Communion Cup Communion Cup

and Kings Sutton Church, Northamptonshire. and Little Oakley Church, Northamptonshire.

Silver gilt

Cover Paten.

Leaf inverted in plain 1569 Communion shield.

head erased shaped shield.

Bvill's

amptonshire. Little Harrowden Churcli, Northamptonshire.

Communion Peterborough Cathedral Cup and Cover Paten. shaped 1569 Communion Cup and Stanion Church, North-

bifurcated 1569

stalk.

and Pitsford Church, North-

Communion Cup.

Cover Paten. 1569

North-

amptonshire.

Cover Paten. Leaf

ingdonshire.

Communion Cover Pa- Ecton Church,

without 1569 Communion Cup Cover Paten.

with pellet between letters in plain shield. in

and Alwalton Church, Hunt-

ten.

RS

SL

Cup

Cover Paten.

plain shield.

Fleur

Communion

ten. in

1570

amptonshire.

Cover Pa- Wansford Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion Paten

Pytchley Church, Northamptonshire.


LIST OF MARKS.

211

maker's mark.

Fleur de

shaped 1570 Communion Cup Cover Paten.

lys in

outline.

Cross

in plain

pommee

1570 Silver gilt

amptonshire.

Communion Ashley Church, North-

Cup and Cover Paten.

shield.

AL

and Dodford Church, North-

linked

shaped 1570

in

Denton Church, North-

Communion Cup.

shield.

A

amptonshire. or thistle shield.

flower

shaped

HS

above

pellet

in

1570

Communion

and Braddon Church, North-

Cuj)

Cover Paten. in

1570

amijtonshire.

Communion Cup.

E

linked

plain 1570

in

Communion Cup.

shield. I

H

WH

in

oblong.

1570

above annulet in 1570

M

Capital

in

plain

shield.

TF

Lutton Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion Cup.

Whittlebury Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion

Croughton Church, Northamptonshire.

Cujd.

plain shield.

FR

Green's Norton Church,

Northamptonshire.

plain shield.

H

amptonshire.

in

monogram.

1570 Silver gilt Paten.

Communion

St. Augustine's Church, City of Jjondon.

1570 Silver gilt Flagon.

Communion

Gonvillc and Caius College,

Cambridge.

shaped 1570

Communion Cup.

Alderton Church, Northamptonshire.

1570

Communion Cup.

Holdenby Church,

with pellet between 1570 letters in shaped

Communion Cup.

linked

shield

P

I

in

.

in shaped shield.

Northamptonshire. I

C

Rothersthorp Church, Northamptonshire.

shield.

FR

in

monogram.

1570

Silver gilt Tankard.

Trinity Hall,

Cam-

bridge. I

G

in

monogram.

1571 Silver

gilt

Communion

Cup.

Churc Bread Street, City London

St. Mildred's

h.

of

.

NS

interlaced.

1571 Stone silver

A dove

C

with

J. P. Dexter.

1571

Silver gilt Tankard.

1571

Silver gilt Tazza.

Christ's College, bridge.

in plain shield.

1572

Communion Cup.

Wootton Church, North-

in

1573

in

A I

ware Jug mounts.

shaped

shield.

trefoil.

Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Cam-

amptonshire.

No

shaped

shield.

Horn Beaker with gilt

mounts.

Church, Cripplegate, City of Lon-

silver St. Giles'

don.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

212

maker's -MARK.


LIST OF MARKS.

213

maker's habk.

T 8 above headed

a

Communion Flagon.

double 1587

St.

HC

a cross between

let-

Mary

Woolnoth

Church, City of Lon don.

eagle displayed, in plain shield.

1588

Paten.

1588

Ostrich egg Cup.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

ters.

A A

flower.

crescent and star in 1589

Earl of Home.

Seal headed Spoon.

Trinity Hall, bridge.

circle.

I

A

above qiiatrefoil

in

Communion Cup.

1591

Ecton

plain shield.

SS

line

mullet

Cam-

Church,

North-

amiJtonshire.

between and 1591 above letters

Communion

Cup

Cover Paten.

and Newbottle Church, Northamptonshire.

in lilain shield.

NR

above four pellets 1591

Silver gilt Beaker.

St. Giles's

Church, Cripplegate. City of Lon-

in plain shield.

don.

RW

below

pellet

in 1591 Ostrich silver

shield. I

G

monogram

in

shaped

in 1593

egg Cup mounts.

Communion

Cup

Cover

shield.

TH

with rose and two 1594 Silver above and the Cup. same below in shaped

gilt

with Corpus Christi College,

Cambridge.

and Christchurch Church, City of London.

Communion

Botolph's Church, Aldgate, City of London.

St.

pellets

shield.

CK. I

B

above rose.

CB

in monogram plain shield.

G8

above mullet shaped shield.

CB

in

monogram

in

1595

Ewer and

Salver.

1595

Ewer and

Salver.

1595

Communion Cun.

S.

Addington, Esq.

Corporation of Bristol.

Chingford Church,

Es-

sex. in

1595 Silver parcel gilt

munion Cup.

Com- Ruislip Church, Middlesex.

Communion Cup.

in 1595

Barking Church, Essex.

plain shield.

HB

linked

in

shield.

shaped 1597 Silver gilt Communion; All Hallows' Church, Paten. Lombard Street, City of Jyondon.

I

D

Beaker St. Giles's Church, Crip above stag couch ant 1597 Communion and in plain shield. handle with plegate. City of Lonj

cover.

don.

i

I

H

above bear passant. 1597 Silver gilt Communion Christ's College, CamFlagon, bridge. I

I

i

i

I

N

above

rose.

1597!

Ewer and

Salver.

Corporation of Norwich.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

214 MAKEU

S

MAKK.

RP

separated by sprig 1598 Silver gilt Communion St. Dunstan in the West Cover Paten. with five leaves, in Church, City of Lon don. shaped shield.

A

cross in heart shaped 1598 Silver

A

1599

Spice Box.

RC.

1599

Standing Cup.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. Innholders' Comiiany, liondon.

Communion Cup and Cover Paten.

plant or tree in plain 1599 Silver gilt

squirrel sejant, hold- 15991 Silver

ing a nut with his fore paws, in plain shield.

A

sex.

ER.

shield.

A

head Ealing Church, Middle-

seal

gilt

Spoon.

stamp.

cock in

iilain

gilt

St.

Communion St.

Cup. 1600 Silver

sliield.

Dunstan

in the

West

Church, City of Lon don.

Mary Abbots' County of

Church, London.

Cover

gilt

to! St.

Communion Cup.

Margaret

Patten's

Church, City of

TiOn-

don.

BR

or

RB

ters in

linked let- 1601 Silver

shaped

shield.

gilt

Communion Maxey Church, North

Cup.

amptonshire.

W J the head

of an ani- 1601 Silver gilt Communion Furtho Church, Xorth perhaps a fox, Cup and Cover. amptonshire. in between letters,

mal,

plain shield.

TC

above pellet shaped shield.

in 1601

gilt

Cup and

AB. A

Silver

Communion Corby Church, NorthCover.

amptonshire.

1602 Silver gilt standing and Cover.

double headed spread- 1602 ing eagle in shaped

Cup Corpus

Parcel gilt Beaker.

St. Giles's ]>legate.

HD

above mullet shaped shield.

H

1602

in

Communion Cup.

Aynhoe Church, Northamptonsliii'e.

Cun and

above a bear pas- 1601

Lord "Willoughby de

Cover.

sant.

AB

Eresby.

linked

in

shield. I

A

Church, CripCity of Lon

don.

shield.

I

Christi College

Cambridge.

shaped 1605 Communion Cup Cover Paten. 1605

in scalloped shield.

Two

silver

gilt

and Duddington Church, Northamptonshire.

Com-

Hallows' Church Ix)mbard Street, City

All

munion Flagons.

of Ix)ndon.

HM two

linked, pellets

another,

beneath

and above in shaped

i

1605 Silver gilt Paten.

Communion

St. James's Church, Garlickhithe. City of Lon-

don.

shield.

RW

above pellet shaped stamp.

1606 Silver

in j

gilt

Salver.

Ewer

Sussex College, Cambridge.

and! Sidney !


LIST OF MARKS. maker's mabk.

date

M.

1606

215

R. Neville Gienville,

Salt Cellar

Esq.

SO

above nuillet shaped shield.

A

hv 1606

cross ponimelle on Avithout shield.

W

monogram

in

shaped

RW

1606 Silver gilt

R

A

1

pellet.

M

above pellet shaped shield.

Communion

;

Cup.

in

shield.

above

;

j

OJ-b,

T

Communion Cup.

in

1607 Silver gilt standing and Cover.

"Willesden Church, Middlesex.

Cup Corpus I

I

Christi College,

Cambridge.

1607 Silver gilt Flagon,

Communion

160/

Communion St. Peter-le-Poor

Silver

gilt

Trinity College,

fetter look above ar- 1607 in shaped shield.

SO

beneath one pellet 1608 above threL' in shaped shield.

Cam-

bridge.

Church, City of J.on don.

Flagon.

row head

gilt Communion Hendon Church, Middlesex. Cup and Cover Paten,

Silver

j

Communion Flagon.

1

St.

j

C

Alban's

Wood

and

TC

Great Houghton Church, Northamptonshire.

h u r c h,

Street, City of

Ix)ndon.

beneath three pel- 1608 Silver gilt standing Cup Trinity Hall, Camand Cover. and above one in bridge. j

lets

shield.

S

above crescent shaped shield.

I

TF

monogram

in

in 1608

Silver gilt standing

Cup Corpus

and Cover. 1608 Silver gilt

in

Cup and

plain shield.

Christi College,

Cambridge.

Communion Cover.

Hallows the Great Church, City of T^on-

All i

don.

TA

in

monogram 1608 Two

M

gilt

Com-

above some mark- 1608 Silver gilt Flagon.

Communion

in plain shield.

R

Ml

beneatli harp shaped shield.

SO

Hallows the Great Church, City of London.

All

munion Patens.

above mullet in shaped shield.

J

silver

in j

!

in quatrefoil.

j

I

,

Gonville and Cains College,

Cambridge.

1609 Silver gilt Flagon.

Communion Hadley Monken Church,

1609 Silver

Communion Burghley House, North-

gilt

Middlesex.

Cup.

amptonshire.

I

I

A

in

shaped

sliield.

i

1609 Silver gilt

Communion

SF

ill

shaped

monogram

gilt

Communion

St.

11609 Silver gilt

Communion

St.

in

16091 Silver

shield.

Capital letter plain shield.

Cup.

W

ii.

St.

j

Andrew

L'ndersliaft

Church, City of London.

Cup.

Cui) and Cover Paten.

Botolph's Church, Aldgate, City of London. Antholin's Church, City of London.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

2l6

MAKER

S

MARK.

DATE.

RC

above fleur de lys in plain shield.

W

R

TC

1610

Communion

three pellets above 1610 Silver

gilt

I

NR

above

in

Cup Sidney Sussex I

Communion

Two Communion Cups,

four pellets in plain

11

Church, Cripplegate, City of Lon-

\

don.

AR.

T

1613

bow between

a ters.

RB

adley Monken Church, Middlesex.

St. Giles's j

shield.

I

College,

Cambridge.

Cuj).

and 1612

rose

and AVest Haddon Church. Northamptonshire.

1610 Silver gilt standing and Cover.

over rainbow.

and one below shaped shield.

Cup

Cover Paten.

let-

letters

linked

Lord Londesborough.

and Cover.

1613

Spice Box.

1613

Communion Flagon.

|

above pellet in shaped

Clip

Sir T.

W. Hoi bur ne.

Hallow's Church, J>ombard Street,* City

.\11

j

of Ixjndon.

shield. I

I

i

N

Capital letter pellet in shield.

A

above 1613

Two Communion

St.

1

j

Flagons.

shaped

I

1614

in sliaped shield.

linked

shaped

letters shield.

TF

with swan or shaped shield.

A

trefoil

Woo

1

n o

t

h

don.

Two Communion

St.

Botolph's Church, Aldgate, City of Ixjndon.

Flagons.

AB

Mary

Church, City of Lon-

in 1615

1616

fish in

Standing Cup known the Nevile Cup.

as Trinity College,

Cam-

bridge.

Two Communion

Stephen's Church, AValbrook, City of I/ondon.

St.

Patens.

irregidar 1616 Silver gilt standing Cup| St. John's College and Cover. bridge.

in

oval.

Cam-

j

TF

in

monogram

in 1616

Skinners' Company,

Cup.

London.

plain shield.

L A.

CB

linked

1616 plain 1616

in

C. "SVinn, Esq.

Dish.

Communion Cup.

Christchurch Church, City of London.

shield. I

I

P

above

bell in

shaped; 1616

Two

Communion

tens.

shield.

Pa- Christchurch Church, Cit.y of London. I

i

Capital

letter

tween two above W.

R

be-|

1616

Silver

gilt

standing Corpus Christi College

Cup.

pellets andj

!

Cambridge.

j

RS

above heart shaped shield.

RP

above mullet shaped shield.

in!

1617

i

in 1617

Two Communion Flagons.

Communion Paten.

Christchurch Church, City of Jx)ndon. Christchurch Church, City of London.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

S

MARK.

N above 1617 shaped

Capital letter pellet in shield.

TH

217

letters 1617

linked

Two

silver

gilt

Edmund the King and Martyr Church, City of London.

Com-

St.

munion Flagons.

Communion

St. Giles's

above pellet in shaped

Church, Cripplegate. City of Lon-

shield.

don.

CuiJ.

CC

two pellets above 1617 Two Communion and tree between letFlagons.

St.

ters in plain shield.

TF

lombardip

letters

1618

i

Communion

Cup

Church, ot

and Cransley Church, Nortli-

Cover Paten.

linked in plain shield.

Mildred's

Bread Street, City London.

amiitonshire. 1

I

S

above pellet shaped shield.

Emmanuel

1618 Silver gilt standing Cupj and Cover, known asthe Mildmay Fane

in

College, Cam-

bridge.

i

Cup.

RC

mullet

above

in 1618

Andrew by the Ward robe Church, City of Ixtndon

Two Tankards.

St.

j

plain shield.

.

W C arrow between

1618 Silver gilt Communion' Hadley Monken Church, Paten. Middlesex.

let-j

jioint to base in plain shield.

tei-s

Small italic P in orna- 1619 mental shield.

WR

Communion

Cui)

and Ufford Church, North-

Cover Paten.

amptonshire.

above curved line 1619 Silver gilt Communion: St. jAntholin's Church, City of London. Cup and Cover Paten.

in shaped shield.

AB

above

pellet

Communion

1619 Silver gilt Paten.

in

plain shield.

St.

1

Mary Abbot's

County I

C

mullet

above

gilt Communion Cup and Paten.

in 1620 Silver

plain shield.

A

in

TF

Communion

1620 Silver gilt Paten.

I

WT

j

monogram

in 1620 i

!

Communion Cup.

1621

Cup

St.

Church,

Lawrence Northamp-

tonshire.

|

in es-: 1622

Silver

i

1622 Silver

Communion

gilt

Cup and

calloped shield. in a shield.

Cozier, Esq.

and Marston

1

in shaped shield.

TF

Communion

Cover Paten.

I

J

W.

Tankard.

1621

W wc monogram

Helen's Church, Bishopsgate, City of Ix)ndon.

St.

sex.

IC

in

Aveley Church, Essex.

Chelmsford Church, Es-

plain shield.

TE

of

|

square stamp. in

Kensington, London.

Church,

Antholin's Church, City of London.

St.

Cover.

gilt

Cup

Cover Paten.

audi Holy Trinity Church, \

Cambridge.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

2i;

MAKER

BB

MARK.

DATE.

in shield.

1622

S

OWXEJl.

Communion Cup.

St. Giles's j

I

RS

above heart in regular shield.

1622 Silver

ir-

gilt

Communion

Augustin with

St.

Faith's Church,

Cup.

of

F

Communion Flagon.

1622

W

:

in shajied shield.

GO

sickle between let- 1622 ter in plain shield.

I

M

above mullet plain shield.

Cup with Communion

1623

in

Cup

HS

above mullet shaped shield.

j

j

St.

City

London.

St.

Botolph's Church, Aldgate, City of London. G.

legend.

Munday, Esq.

audi Hayes Church, Middlesex.

Paten, in 1G23

Church, Cam-

bridge.

i

Communion Paten

i

I

James's

St.

Brackley,

Chu

r c h,

Northamp-

tonshire.

Al

Communion

1623

WT

Cup

Cover Paten.

andi Adston Church, Northamptonshire.

beneath arrow in shaped shield.

RS

above heart be- 1623 Two silver gilt Com-j tween two pellets in munion Flagons. i

I

I

Swithin's Church, City of London.

St.

plain shield.

Capital letter A in dia- 1624 mond stamp.

I

F crowned above de

in

lys shield.

WC

Communion Paten

fleur 1624

an arrow between 1624

in

Communion Flagon.

base'

monogram

St.

Alban's

Wood

Church,

Street, City of

London. ini

1624

plain shield.

RC

Messrs. Hancock.

Piece of Plate.

shaped

letters point to in plain shield.

TF

Hallow's Church, Tiombard Street, City of London.

All

;

!

Communion

Clip

and

Cover Paten.

Mary's Church, Bow County of London.

St.

above arrow head 1624 Three silver gilt Com- St. Margaret's Church, munion Cups. shaped Westminster, County

in heart shield.

HS

of

above sun in splen- 1625

Communion Flagon.

St.

London. Alban's

Wood

dour.

Church,

Street, City of

London.

TB

above some mark 1625 in shaped shield.

Communion Cup.

St.

Alban's

Wood

Church.

Street, City of

London.

S

w in

shaped shield.

1625 Silver

gilt

Paten.

Communion

St.

Magnus's Church, City of London.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKEK'S MARK.

219

AUTICLE.

RB

above mullet in 1626 Four silver gilt munion Clips. heart shaped shield.

Com-

K

a th a r i n e Cree church Church, City of London.

St.

I

HB

letters 1626

linke<l

Two

silver

gilt

Com-

munion Cups.

above pellet in sha.ped

an

elliptical

above

trefoil

iii

1

n o

t

h

J.on-

1627

Communion Cup.

St.

1627

Communion Cup.

Xewbottle Church, Northamptonshire.

Edward's Churcli, Cambridge.

stamp.

CC

Woo

don.

I

in

Mary

Church, City of

j

shield.

WS

St.

i

plain shield.

1627 Silver gilt Comnuuiion Great Haddow Church Essex. Flagon.

F

W

i

in shaped stamp.

W S above cinquefoil plain

mark

1627 Silver gilt Flagon.

in First shield. of Walter

Communion

Hallow's Churcli, Barking, City of l-on

All

don.

Shntc.

RS

heart aboA-e shield.

in

1627

shaped

Silver gilt

Andrew Undershaft Church, City of Lon-

Communion

Paten.

St. !

don.

!

TB

above rose

in plain

j

Messrs. Hancock.

Apostle Spoons.

1627

shield.

RC

above arrow head 1627 shaped

in heart shield. I

mnllet above shaped shield.

I

in

1627

Two Communion

Cups: St. Andrew by the Ward robe Church, City of

and Cover Patens.

London. Silver

gilt

Communion

Clement's Cluirch City of London.

St.

Flagon. I

TC

linked

letters shield.

in

TF

in monogram plain shield.

in

CB

in 1628

shaped

linked letters plain shield.

1628

Communion

Cup

and Strixton Church, North !

Paten.

i

amptonshire.

1628 Silver gilt standing Cup Christ's College, and Cover. bridge.

Cam

;

Communion

Cup

Andrew by the Ward robe Church, City of

and

St.

Cover

London.

S

W

in

shaped

shield.

1628

Two

silver

Danstan in the East Church, City of London

Com-

St.

Communion

St.

gilt

munion Flagons.

A winded

lion passant 1628 Silver gilt in plain shield. Cup.

I

WS

Mary Ab church

Church, City of Lon don.

i

bow

below from 1628 Silver gilt Communion an arrow is risPaten. ing between letters in circle. Second mark of Walter Slmfe.

St.

Mary A

b

church

Church, City of Lon

wliich

i

don.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

220

MAKER'S MARK.

RA

above fleur de

Communion

1629

lys

and

Cup

St.

Cover Paten.

in shield.

RB

in 1629

above mullet shaped shield.

A

OWNER.

ARTICLE.

lance head

erect

in

Communion St. John's Church,

Silver gilt

I

Cup and

I

Cover.

Hampstead, of London.

Communion Cup.

1630

Benedict's Church,

Cambridge.

St.

Church,

Alban's

Wood

oblong stamp.

County

Street, City ot

London.

A

above mullet plain shield.

I

H

W

above mullet shaped shield.

M

St.

Communion

Cuji

and

St.

Communion

Cup

and

St.

Church,

City of

Vedast's Church, City of London.

Cover Paten.

in 1630

Stephen's

Walbrook, London.

Flagons.

pellet above and io30 below in lobed stamp.'

WC R

Two Communion

in 1630

Vedast's Church, City of London.

Cover Paten.

gilt Communion Easton Mauduit Church, Cup and Paten. Northamptonshire.

above curved lines 1630 Silver

in plain shield. circa

WR

curved 1631

beneath

and

line

line

Silver

and

gilt

Communion

St. Augustine's Church. Citv of London.

Paten.

above annulet in plain shield. I

H

two pellets above 1631 and two below in

Communion

Messrs. Garrard.

Plate.

plain shield.

CC

arrow be- 1631 letters point to base in circle. with

Commtmion

tween

1

M

J

above a pig passant 1631 in plain shield.

B

in

monogram

and Brampton Ash Church. Northamptonshire.

Cup

Cover Paten.

gilt Communion Cup and Cover Paten.

Church. Hallow's Barking. City of London.

Silver

in 1631 Silver

gilt Communion Cup and Cover Paten.

plain shield.

All

i

St.

Dunstan's Church,

Stepney,

of

County

London.

WS

above

pellet

in 1631 1

Communion Cup.

Sywell Church, amptonshire.

plain shield.

H

M ill

DG

above cinq uef oil 1631 Silver gilt Communion shaped shield. Cup and Cover.

an anchor between 1631

letters in plain shield.

GB

in shield.

Communion

Cup

Cover Paten. 1631

Communion Alms

North-

Antholin's Church, City of London.

St.

and Arthingworth Church, Northamptonshire .

Dish. Holy

Trinity

Church,

Cambridge.

D

enclos- 1631 Capital letter ing C in plain shield.

Two

silver gilt Spoons.

St.

Swithin's

Cit.v of

Church, London.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER'S MARK.

R

I

DATE.

W

above anmilet in 1632 shaped shield.

Two Communion Cups.

j

TF

monogram

in

in|

1632

plain shield.

IS

in

circular

221

St.

Anne and

St.

Agnes

Church, City of London.

Two Communion

Helen's Church, Bishopsgate, City of

St.

Flagons.

London. stamp. 1632 |

Silver gilt Spoon.

Joseph Smith.

St.

Mary's

Church, County

Strand,

of

liondon.

PB

crescent above andj 1632 below and three pel-j lets on each side, in stamp with square corners cut off.

PB and

with pellet above 1632 below in plain

Communion Paten.

Communion

and Church

Cup

Cover Paten.

Brampton

Church,

j

shield.

IG

Pancras Old Church, County of London.

St.

Northamp-

tonshire.

above

pellet

in 1632 I

plain shield.

Two

silver

gilt

munion Cups.

|

Com- Great Waltham Church, Essex.

!

RA

Communion Paten.

Clipston Church, Northamptonshire.

1633

Communion Cup.

East Farndon Church, Northamptonshire.

1633

Communion Paten.

above cinquefoil in 1632 plain shield.

F

in

CF

shaped

above

shield.

mullet

plain shield.

Gretworth

Church, Northamptonshire.

circa

WC I

in|

in

shaped shield.

1633

Two

Monteiths.

B

above buckle and 1633 Two Communion two pellets in shaped Flagons. shield.

HB

?

J. Buckle.

linked letters be- 1633 Silver

neath a demi sun in splendour, in shaped

gilt

Communion

Cup.

Co

Haberdashers' pany, London.

m-

Lawrence J e w v y Church, City of London.

St.

St.

Stephen's

Walbrook, London.

Church,

City of

shield.

E S

in dotted circle.

1633

Communion Flagon.

Harrow Church,

Mid-

dlesex.

WS PG

in shield.

above rose in

tre-

foil.

An

escallope shell in of the same

stamp

shape.

Two

1634

1634 Silver gilt

Cuiis.

Communion St.Dunstan

Cup.

Communion Cup and Cover Paten.

1634 Silver gilt

Haberdashers' pany, London.

Co

in the

m-

West

Church, City of London. Helen's Church, Bishopsgate, City of T/ondon.

St.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

222

MAKER

MARK.

S

DATE.

F

W in

RC A

shaped shield. in shaped shield.

mullet in plain shield.

CC

a tree between let-

ters

and two

pellets

above, in iilain shield.

R

S.

above

two

heart

pellets shield.

DF

in

in

shaped

and plain

shield.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

S

MARK.

M

R

223

above rose shaped stamp.

1636

Communion Flagon.

Andrew Undershaft Church, City of Lon-

St.

don. I

M

above pig passant 1636

in iilain shield.

Two Communion

St.

Flagons.

James's

Church, City of

Garlickhithe,

London.

CC

a column between 1636 and two pellets above

Communion Flagon.

Towcester Church, Northamptonshire.

Cup.

Haberdashers' Conil^any, London.

letters in plain shield.

RR

1637

V

TM

linked letters plain shield.

1

P

above

bell in

in

1637

Communion Alms

Dish. Lichborough Cliurch,

Northamptonshire.

shaped 1637

Communion Paton.

shield.

RA

amptonshire.

in plain shield.

RW

above mullet shaped shield.

in

1637

Communion Paten.

beneath two pel- 1637 and above three pellets and annulet in heart shaped shield.

GD

above cinquefoil 1637 four pellets in heart shaped shield.

and

mullet above escallop 1637

Silver gilt Flagon.

six pellets in plain shield.

in 1637

St. .Vugustine's Church, City of London.

Two Communion Cups Holy

Trinity Church, Minories, City of Lon don.

and Covers.

Two

silver

Com-

St.

Cups and

St.

gilt

munion Flagons

and between

above mullet shaped shield.

Two

silver gilt

Cover Patens.

Mary at Hill Church, City of London. John

Chu

above

pellet

1638

star

1638

Communion Paten.

plain shield. I

W

above

RC

Communion

above three pellets 1638

mullet above below in shai^ed

and

Communion Paten.

in plain shield.

RS

Cup

Cover Paten.

shield.

and 1638 Silver

gilt

Flagon.

of

Jerusalem

Hackney

r c h,

County

RF

Mid

dlesex.

lets

RB

Stanford Church, Northamptonshire.

1637 Silver gilt Cover Paten. Stanmore Church,

WM

A

Lutton Church, North-

of

London.

East Carlton Church, Northamptonshire. Little Shelf ord Church,

Cambridgeshire. Brigstock Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion Gretton Church, Northamptonshire.

shield.

F

with bar across letter 1638 Silver gilt Communion Gretton Church, Northin shaped shield. Bread Holder. amptonshire.

16


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

224 MAKER

GG

S MA15K.

a column between 1638

letters in shield.

W S above cinquefoil

in

1638 Silver gilt

P

Cup

and;

Communion

Cup.

plain shield.

I

Communion

Cover Paten.

shaped

1638

in plain shield.

Newnham

Church, Northamptonshire.

St.

James's

Church, City of

Garlicklvithe,

London.

Communion Cup Cover Peterborough CathePaten and two Flag-

dral.

ons, all silver gilt.

WM

above three pel- 1638

Communion

and Great Groenford

Cup

Church, Middlesex.

Paten.

lets in i)lain shield.

and Cranford Church, Mid-

G

I

above mullet in 1639 Silver gilt Cup Cover Paten. heart shaped shield.

B

J

in

monogram

in

1639

dlesex.

Communion Cup.

RC

North

Ockendon

Church, Essex.

plain shield.

beneath tliree pel- 1639 Silver gilt and above mullet Spoon.

seal

head

St.

Lawrence

Jewry

Church, City of Lon-

lets

don.

in plain shield. Circa

BY

above

pellet

in

1639

Silver gilt Spoon.

plain shield.

Peter upon Cornhill Church, City of Lon-

St.

don.

TB

monogram, a 1639 Communion Flagon, and mullet on Cup, Paten and Cieach side and a bird borium, all silver gilt. in

l^ellet

beneath

letters,

St.

Mary's Church, Ac-

ton, Middlesex.

in

plain shield.

A

rose in shaped shield.

1639

Communion Paten.

DW

above miillet and 1639 four pellets in heart

shaped I

W

Skinners'

Cup.

shield.

above some object 1640

Communion Paten.

beneath mullet in 1640 hexagonal stamp. above heart shaped shield.

lets,

six

St.

Augustine with St

Faith's Church, of London.

City

gilt Communion Luddington Church, Northamptonshire. Cup and Cover Paten. Romford Church, Es1640 Two Communion

sex.

Flagons.

pel-

in plain shield

W C above three pellets in heart shield.

HB

Communion Flagon.

1640 Silver

mullet above escallop

and between

Fotheringha.v Church,

Northamptonshire.

W

RS A

Company,

London.

in plain shield.

R

Cold Ashby Church, Northamptonshire.

1640

linked

letters

Two

silver

gilt

munion Patens.

shaped in

kidney shaped stamp.

1640

Two Communion Flagons.

Com-

St.

John's

Chxirch,

Hampstead, of London.

County

Great Greenford Church, Middlesex.


LIST OF I^IARKS. MAKER

S

MAIJK.

M

R

225

above cinquefoil in 1641 shaped shield.

Vedast's C h u r City of London.

Three Communioin

St.

Flagons.

c h.

circa

in 1641

mullet aboA'e plain shield.

1

I

Silver

gilt

seal

head St.

h u

r c h,

County I

R

beneath crown and 1646

Tankard

mullets and pellets 1648

Communion Paten.

j

Communion Cup.

i

shield.

WM

with 1650

on shield Moor's head.

TC

Hutton

Cliurch,

Essex.

in

shaped 1649

heart

iji

Hacknej-,

London.

London.

above and below shaped shield.

RF

of

Skinners' Company,

leopard's head.

HG

Jerusalem

of

.Tolin

C

Sljoon.

Cup.

I I

1

1650 Silver

in circle.

gilt

Weedon

Beck Church, Northamptonshire.

Skinners' Company,

London.

and. Bainton Church, North-

Cup

Cover Paten.

!

amptonshire.

I

M

IVI

in

monogram

in

square stamji.

RD

1650

Two

silver Dishes.

circa

1650

in plain shield.

Silver gilt

Alms Dish.

1

St. Vedast's Church, City of London.

Peterborough Cathedral.

A

rose in plain shield. 1651 ?

II.

DR

Communion Cup.

Cold Ashby Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion Cup.

Rainham

Nethoipe.

an anchor in

iilain

1652

Clnirch,

Es-

sex.

shield.

ES

1652

RS

mullet with plain shield.

in 1652

Fauconberg

Communion

Paul Butler, Esq.

Cui^.

Cup

and

Flagon.

NW

above mullet in 1653 Two Communion Cups and Cover Patens. shaped shield.

Clement Dane's Church, County of London.

St.

High am Church,

Ferrers Northamp-

tonshire.

CS

an arrow between 1653 Communion Cup Cover Paten.

and liamport Church, North-

letters in i)lain shield

amptonshire.

WH

beneath mullet 1653 Four silver gilt Com-i St. Magnus's Church, and above annulet in munion Patens. City of London. cross shaped stamp.

HG

above

pellet

in

1654

Communion Flagon.

plain shield.

St.

of

Four

roses shield.

F

W

in

in circular

plain 1655

Communion

Cup

Cover Paten. stamp. 1655

Two

silver

gilt

munion Cups.

Margaret's Church,

New

Fish Street, City

London.

and Grendon Church, Northamptonshire.

Com-

Church. Cov Garden, County of London.

St. Paul's

ent


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

226

MAKER

S

MARK.

B

J

in 1655

in monogram plain shield. I

G

I

F

in

Paten.

W

shaped

Communion Flagon and Friern Barnet Church,

shield.

1655

Blacksmith's Cup.

J. P. Dexter, Esq.

165C

Communion Paten.

Clay Coton Church, Northamptonshire.

1656

above bird in shajjed shield. li

Middlesex.

Communion Alms

Dish.

Newton B

r o

mswo

1

d

Northamp-

Church, tonshire.

FC I

H

pellet

loAV in

1656

above and be- 1656

Communion Flagon.

plain shield.

CS

a dagger between letters liilt to base, in plain shield.

WM

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Two-handled Cup.

above

rose

1656 Silver

gilt

Communion

Cup.

and 1656

Southwick Church, Northamptonshire. Vedast's Church, City of Ixjndon.

St.

Laiudon Church, Essex.

Communion Cup.

three pellets in ijlain shield.

WM

beneath two pel- 1657 and above cinqueand three pellets, heart shaped shield.

Communion Flagon.

lets foil

in I

above mullet shaped shield.

I

in

1657

St.

of

Seal head Spoon.

Margaret's Church,

New

St.

Fisli Street,

Mary Abbot's

Church,

County

AF

in irregular shield,

1657

Kensing^ton, of

London.

Peter house,

Cup and Cover.

City

London.

Cam-

bridge.

HN

above dove hold- 1657 ing olive branch in her beak.

I

W

script letters with-

1658

Communion

and Braunston

Cup

Cover Paten.

Church,

Northamptonshire.

Communion Paten.

out shield.

Maid well Church, Northamptonshire.

GB

above pellet shaped shield.

in

1658

Two

silver

gilt

Com- St.

Peter-le-Poor

Church, City of Lon-

munion Patens.

don.

H

I linked above shaped shield.

OS

above

RL

pellet

in

1658

Communion Bread

in

1658

Communion Paten.

plain shield.

AF

with a pellet above 1658 and two cinquefoii pellets, in plainshield.

HT

Dodford Church, Northamptonshire.

Holder.

Hinton Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion

Cup

Cover Paten.

above crescent in 1659 Silver gilt foot. plain shield.

Salver

and Springfield Church, Essex.

on The Marquis

of Exeter.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

S

MARK.

HG

with three pellets 1659 Communion Cup Cover Paten. above and mullet below in plain shield.

A

in

IVI

monogram

in

1659

and Blatherwyck Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion Flagon.

S

linked

dotted 1660

in

Communion

Salver.

ellipse.

FR

pellet between letters in shaped shield.

TA

1660

Communion Flagon.

RA

gilt

Caudle Cup

and Cover.

in shield.

above rose and two 1660 Communion

pellets in heart shaped shield.

GD

Benedict's Church,

Dallington Church, Northamptonshire.

Winwick

Church,

Northamptonshire.

above star and two 1660 Silver

pellets

St.

Cambridge.

square stamp. I

227

College,

Cambridge.

and Christchurch Church, City of London.

Cup

Cover

above rose and two 1660

Emmanuel

Communion Flagon.

pellets in heart shaped shield.

St. Vedast's

Church, City of London.

circa

RA

above mullet in 1660 Communion Cup heart shaped shield. Cover Paten.

WM

above

mullet in 1661

Silver gilt

and,

Alms Dish.

plain shield.

TK

tAvo coronets

above 1661

and mullet below, shaped

Communion

Dish.

in

amptonshire.

Easton Mauduit Church Northamptonshire.

Mar

s t

o n Trussell

Church,

Northamp-

tonshire

shield.

PB

crescent above and 1661 Silver gilt below and three pelPaten. lets, in square, with corners cut off.

Communion

GD

Communion Flagon.

above rose and 1661 two pellets in heart shaped shield.

RS

mullet above pellet 1662 between and fleur de lys below letters in

Two

r c h,

Ravensthorp Church, Northamptonshire. St. Augustine's

of

M

above fleur de lys 1661 in shaped shield.

Chu

with St.

Faith's Church,

mullet above and 1661 Silver gilt below in plain shield. Paten.

TD

James's

London

Communion Cup.

pellet between let- 1661 ters in shaped shield.

St.

Garlickhithe, City of

RF

R

Badby Church, North-

Communion

silver gilt

City

London.

Church, CovGarden, County of London.

St. Paul's

ent

Cups and

Covers.

Communion

Cui:).

Margaret's Church Westminster, County of London.

St.

C h u r c h, Northamptonshire.

Brockhall

plain shield. circa I

in

shaped

shield.

1662

Communion Paten.

Whiston Church, Northamiitonshire.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

228

makeb's mark.

F

W

mullet

betAveen

1662

Communion Flagon.

WH

1662

Large Salver.

TC

shaped 1662

in

linked

Communion Cup.

shield.

North-

Corby

Church, amptonshire.

two pellets above and two beloAv letters, in shaped shield.

Earl Spencer, K.G.

E

s t o n on the Hill Church, Northamp-

a

tonshire.

TK

above fleur de lys 1663

in i)lain shield.

Communion

Paten, Rushton Church, NorthFlagon and Bread amptonshire. Holder.

H

N above dove with 1663 Silver gilt Paten. olive branch in her

Communion

John

St.

Jerusalem

of

Church,

beak, in jilain shield.

County

Hacknej',

London.

of

ctrca I

C

with pellet between 1663 letters in plain shield.!

IG

above mullet in 1663 heart shaped shield.

Two Communion Cups. Kettering Church, Northami)tonshire.

Communion Cup.

Hallow's

All

Lombard

|

of Italic capital letter plain shield.

A

in

1664 Silver gilt Communion Castle Ashby Church, Bread Holder. Northamptonshire .

j

IG

above mullet ini 1664 Silver gilt heart shaped shield, Cup.

Communion

above

head in plain

DF

in

1664 Silver gilt Paten.

chertib's shield.

shaped

1665

shield.

PP

above pellet in 1665 heart shaped shield.

SV

1665

in irregular stamp.

HR

let-

Communion

Communion Bread

a crozier between 1665

St. Vedast's

Church, City of London.

Communion Flagon.

St.

Communion Spoon.

St.

gilt

Communion

Paten.

St.

City

Cottesbrook Cliurch, Northamptonshire.

ters in plain shield.

GS

with

Holder.

three pellets above 1665 Silver

and three below

St. Augustine's

Faith's Church, of l^ondon.

j

WH

Church,

Street, City

London.

Botolph's Church, Aldgate, City of Tx)ndon.

Botolph's Church, Aldgate, City of London.

Margaret's Church, Westminster, County of London.

St.

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

16C6

Communion Paten.

Stoke Bruern Church, Northamptonshire.

1666

Communion Flagon.

|

letters. j

MG

!

in

shaped

shield.'

circa

1

WM

I

linked

crowned

letters |

in

shaped j

shield.

I

St.

Anne and

St.

Agnes

Church, City of London.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

MARK.

S

B

beneath three pel- 1668 and above crescent and two pellets

I

Silver gilt

Alms Dish.

lets

in plain shield.

RS

Two

beneath mullet in 1668 1

plain shield.

MA

silver

gilt

Com-

niunion Flagons.

nionogram 1668 Two silver gilt Communion Patens. shaped

in

crowned

I

in

stamp.

TK

above fleur de \ys 16691 in plain shield.

TC

I

crowned in shaped 1669

F

M

W

I

above coronet.

with three

pellets.

pellet between letters and mullet below in plain shield.

I

RN TH

anchor between

C

'

let-

above mullet in heart shaped shield.

Pa-

Cup,

ten and Flagon.

1669

Bowl.

1669

Communion Cup.

1670 Silver gilt Spoon. 1670

ters in plain shield.

I

Commnnion

j

shield.

T

Dish,

1669 Tlie " Greyghton " Cup.

N DR

Communion

1669

witli fish above and pellet below in shaped shield.

Communion Flagon.

seal

hea<l

229


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

230

MAKER

S

MARK. circa

TH I

1670

above star.

D

pellet between let- 1671 ters in shaped shield.

Porringer and Cover.

Communion

Cup

Trinity Hall, bridge.

Cam-

Dionis's C h u r c h, Parsons Green, Fulham, County of Lon-

and

St.

Cover Paten.

don.

TF

two pellets above 1671 and mullet below in heart shaped shield. i

RH

above

two

and

cinquefoil 1671 in

pellets Dlain shield.

DR

Communion Flagon.

Silver gilt Dish.

Colleyweston Church, Northamiitonshire.

Communion

St.

John

of

Count j^

crowned in shaped 1671 i

Communion Bread

FG

above mullet shaped shield.

1671

in!

Two

Communion

of

London.

Newbottle Church, Northamptonshire.

Holder.

shield.

Jerusalem

H ack ney

Cluircli,

Pa-

St.

Dunstan

in the

West

Church, City of Lon-

tens. I

don.

RS

mullet above and 1671 below in shaped shield.

CM

above three pellets 1671 in shaped stamp.

Communion Communion

Great G r e e n f o r d Church, Middlesex.

Plate.

Cup

and

St.

Dionis's

Church,

Parson's Green, Ful-

Cover Paten.

ham, County

of

Lon-

don.

GG

above fleur de lys 1671 Communion Cup and Walgrave Cliurch, Cover Paten. Flagon, Northamptonshire, shaped shield. and Bread Holder.

in

K

above cinquefoil and 1671

two

pellets

in

St.

Spoon.

shield'.

WG

in

Dionis's

Church,

Parson's Green, Fulham, County of London.

plain

shaped outline.' 1672

Communion Flagon,

i

Ashton Church. Northamptonshire.

RP

above mullet shaped sliiekl.

in

1672

Communion Paten.

1672

Communion

Dish.

Laiudon Church, Essex

St.

Andrew ITndershaft

Church, City of Lon

don

MG

above flour de

lys,

and a

vic-

two

pellets tory.

FS

in plain shield.

1672-

Two-handled Cup.

1672

Communion Cup.

.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Newton

in the "Willows

Church,

Northamp

tonshire.

PP

above pellet in 1672 Silver gilt heart shaped shield, Paten. j

Communion

St. Sepulchre's Church, Citv of London.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

S

231

MARK.

1672 Silver gilt Flagon.

Capital letter plain shield.

Communion lEaston

Mauduit

Church,

Northamp-

tonshire. j

OS

beneath three pel-j 1672 Silver gilt Communion St. Bride's Church, City and above trian-| of Ix)ndon. Flagon. {

lets

!

in plain shield,

gle, I

H

i

1673

in plain shield.

Two

silver

|

gilt

Com- Castor Church, North-

munion Bread

ami^tonshire.

Holders.

HF

in shaned outline.

1674

'

Communion ~

Cup

Cover Paten.

RD

above mullet plain shield.

SR

above

in;

and Tichmarcli Church, Northamptonshire.

1674

Saucer.

1674

Communion Flagon.

Pancras Old Church. County of London.

St.

I

pellet

in|

plain shield.

Paulerspury Chui'ch, Northamptonshire.

|

I

M

T

linked in shaped 1674 Silver gilt Communion! Stanford Church, Tlios. Maundy.' Alms Dish. Northamptonshire. |

shield.

j

circa

1

H

I

with fleur de lys

1674

he-j

tween two pellets be-[ low, in shaped shield.

Communion

Cup

Weston Favell Church,

andj

Paten.

Northamptonshire.

j

^

circa I

I

F

in dotted ellipse,

1674 j

Communion

Cup

and Weston Favell Church,

Paten.

TL

above

pellet

1674

in|

Northamptonshire. Dish.

St.

Dionis's

Church,

Parson's Green, Ful-

plain shield.

ham. County

of

Lon

don.

TM

H. A. Attenborough,

linked above pellet 1675 Two-handled Porringerj in square stamp. and Cover.

Esq.

I

D

crescent 1675 beneatli in plain shield.

i

moon

Communion

Flagon,

Bread Holder and Spoon.

T

i

with mullet above 1675

and below,

in

St. Jolin's Churcli, Pet-

i

erborough.

I

I

Communion Flagon.

plain

Hornchurch Church, ]

I

Essex.

shield.

E

G

in

Capital fleur

Communion Alms

:

Great Haddow Church, Essex.

I

letter

de

lys

M

with. 1675 Silver

and twO'

pellets

gonal stamp.

in

gilt

Communion

St. Bride's Church, City of London

Communion

St. Bride's Church. City of London.

Flagon.

1

I

above crescent and' 1675 Silver

two

Dish.

.

pellets in shaiied shield.

IS

1675

rectangular

stamp

octa-'

gilt

Patn.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

232

maker's mark.

S crowned

Capital letter

in i)lain shield.

I

1675

Dtmstan in the West Cliurch, City of Lon-

St.

Silver gilt Spoon.

I

don.

PP

above pellet in 1675 heart shaped shield.

Communion Flagon.

Dunstan's Church, Stepney. County of

St.

j

|

RA I

B

1675

London. Three Sugar Castors.

J.

E

1676 Silver gilt Communion Alms Dish.

in i)lain shield.

Rainey, Esq.

a sto

n

Church,

Ma

ii

du

i

t

Xorthamp-

tonshire.

AH

a star above and 1676 Porringer used a Com-! Litlington Church, munion Cup. bridgeshire. below.

Cam-

I

FS

'

in plain shield.

PP S

above

iiellet

in

1676 Silver gilt Paten.

A

Rosewater Dish

between

1677

Two Communion Cups

six pellets: 1677

S

.Ml Saints'

with vertical letters between shaped shield. I

Iinej

in

1677

of

County

Church,

Northampton.

Two Communion

All Saints' Church,

Noithampton.

Flagons.

|

Luke New Church,

Fishmongers' Company, London.

and Cover Patens, two Bread Holders and two Flagons.

in shaped shield.

St.

Chelsea, liOndon.

1676

shield.

I

Communion;

Communion Paten.

Aynlioe Cliurch, Northamptonshire.

j

j

R L above

fleur shield.

plain

de lys in 1677 Balphl

Leeke.

Two Communion

Cups; Castle Ashby Church, Northamptonshire,

and Cover Patens and: two Flagons, all silver; gilt.

WM

star 1678 and! in a above one pellet,

beneath

and two

a

Porringer Cover.

,

iiellets

i

Litlington Church, Cambridgeshire.

shield. j

SR

above rose in plain 1678

shield.

Two Communion

St.

Bartholomew

TiCss

Flagons.

the

Clunch, City of

London. I

S

in

monogram

voular

in cir-

stamp.

1678 Silver gilt Paten.

Communion

i

Micliael's Church Cornhill, City of Lon-

St.

don. circa I

V

above

annulet

plain shield.

FG

in

1678 Silver gilt Spoon.

rat

"Willesden Church, Middlesex.

tail I

above mullet in 1679 Silver gilt Communion Dingley Church, Northamptonshire. shaped shield. FranCup and Paten. cis Garthorn. i


LIST OF MARKS.

233

maker's mark.

SV

above

iiellet

in 1679

Silver gilt Spoon.

Dunstan in the West Church, City of London.

St.

|

Ijlain shield.

1

I

TC

beneath dolphin 1679 and above flenr de lys in shaped shield.

CK

above throe joellets in plain shield.

1679

Two

silver

Com-! gt.

gilt

munion Patens.

:

'

Two

Communion

Pa-i St.

tens. j

i

TA

three pellets above 1679 and three below in circular stamp. ?

Thomas

Allen.

with

mullet

RT

and 1679

Pair of Candlesticks.

I

Edmund

the

King

and Martyr Church, City of London.

Mary A

b

church

Church, City of Lon. don. St.

Anne's Church,

ho.

County

of

So-

Lon

don.

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Mug

R. T. Frere, Esq.

pellets. I

I

C

above mullet shaped shield.

H

above fleur de

and two pellets shaped shield. I

in!

1679

with handle.

i

lysj in|

1680 Siher

gilt

don.

three pellets above 1680 Communion one betAveen and two Flagon. a

neath

crescent

Mary's Church, Al dermary. City of Lon

St. I

h

and

Communion

Cup.

and Barking Church, Essex.

Cup

be-

letters, in plain

shield.

RH

crowned

above 1680 Communion Cup Cover Paten.

and' Great Leigh Church, Essex.

crescent in plain shield.

A

in

goose

circular 1680 Silver

gilt

Communion

St.

Paten.

stamp.

'

SO

linked

in

shaped 1680

James's

Church,

Garlickhithe, City of

Communion Paten.

shield.

\

I

London.

Upton Church,

North-

amptonshire.

circa

PR

in shaped shield.

1680

Communion Paten.

1

i

Cosgrove C h u r c h, Northamptonshire.

ctrca I

I

H

!

Avith coronet above 1680 and trefoil below in plain shield.

B

beneath three pel- 1680 and above cres-

lets

Communion

and: Isham

Cup

Cover Paten.

Two

silver

gilt

i

Com-

munion Flagons.

RC

1681

New

Cliurch,

St.

Luke's

Chelsea,

Duke

Large Cistern.

three pellets above 1681 Tavo Communion three below in Flagons. dotted circle.

and

North-

County

of

London

cent and two pellets in plain shield.

RL

Church, amptonshire.

of

Rutland.

Michael's Church, Paternoster Royal, City of London.

St.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

234 MAKER

M

MARK.

S

dotted

ill

Communion Cover

1681

circle.

1

Matthew's Church,

Pa-: St.

Bethnal Green,

ten.

County

of

London.

circa

C

above mullet in tre-

1681

Communion Flagon.

St.

Silver gilt Dish.

St.

Dunstan's Church, Stepney, County of London.

foil.

SH

in

linked letters circular stamp.

1681

Mary's Church, Strand, County of

!

London. i

MK

Two-handled Cup.

beneath fleur de 1681

R. T. Frere, Esq.

j

lys.

G

E

in oblong.

1683

S

Communion Cup.

1

above cinquefoil in 1681 Communion ten. shaped shield.

I

j

Cul worth Church, Northamptonshire.

Stow

Cover Pa-,

Nine

Churches

Northamp

Church, tonshire.

M

P

mullet above and 1682 de lys below in ai

Tankard.

fleur

qua trefoil.

TC

FS I

fish

and Ashton Church, Northamptonshire

1682

Communion Cup.

Aston-le-Walls

above ini 1682 pellet heart shaped shield.

Communion Cup.

Little

in plain shield.

N

Church, Northamptonshire. Billing Church. Northamptonshire.

I

EG

mullet

beneath

above and 1682 shaped

in

shield.

S

crowned

C

in

in shaned shield,

above

two

in

Paten.

cinquefoil in

above mullet in stamp.

dlesex.

'

Communion Paten.

Wappenham Church, Northamptonshire.

i i

!

gilt Communion Cup and Cover Paten.

St. Bride's Church, City of London.

i682 Silver |

pellets plain shield.

C

Communion Flagon and Ickenham Church, Mid-

I

above cinquefoil shaped shield.

and

and Thornby C h u r c h, Northamptonshire, |

plain! 1682

IS

W

Cup

Cover Paten.

above mullet or tre- 1682'

foil

F

Communion !

1

shield. I

Cam-

j

above and 1682 Communion Cup Cover Paten. pellet beneath in or-| namental shield. with

Queen's College, bridge

I

1682 Silver gilt Paten.

Communion Church

of St. Peter ad Tower of

Vincula,

London. tre-

foil

1682 Silver gilt Paten.

Communion St.

^

Martin

Fields j

County

E C crowned

pellet be- 1682

tween letters and above crescent in plain shield.

Rat

tailed Spoon.

of

in the

Church, London.

H. A. Attenborough, Esq.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

RS

MK

S

MARK.

OWNER.

above mullet.

1683

above 1683

cinquefoil in quatre-

and below foil

RL

235

Two-handled Cup.

Communion

R. T. Frere, Esq.

and St.

Cup

F

Cover

e Id s County of

stamp.

above fleur de

in the

Church, London.

Communion

1683 Three

lys in

Martin i

Fla- St. James's Church, Picc a d i 1 1 y, County of gons, four Cups, four Patens and Alms Londoji. Dish, all silver gilt.

scalloped shield. Italph Leeke.

CK

beneath pellet and 1683 Silver gilt Communion St. James's Church, Pic above quatrefoil in c ad i ly. County of Cup and Cover Paten. London. quatrefoil stamp. 1

WF

1683

Tazza.

I

Sir

W.

C. Trevelyan.

AH

beneath star and 1683 Silver gilt standing Cup St. John's College, Camabove crescent in and Cover. bridjie.

shield.

HT

beneath pellet in 1683 shaped shield.

Communion Alms

Dish.

Barnack Church, Northamptonshire.

MK

mullet above and 1683 Silver gilt Communion Finedon Church, NorthAlms Dish. below in lozenge amptonshire.

F L above

bird in

1683

Rosewater Dish.

The Marquis

of Exeter.

shaped shield.

RH

in

ob- 1683

irregular

Communion Paten.

long.

PK

in

shaped

shield.

1683

Communion Cup.

Haselbech Church. Northamptonshi re

.

Naseby Church, Northamptonshire.

I

M

between six pellets 1683 Silver

gilt Communion Grafton Regis Cliurch, Cup and Cover Paten. Northamptonsh re

in ellipse. letter Capital plain shield.

E

V

i

H

crowned above

1683

Communion Cup.

St.

pel- 1083

Communion Cup.

Broughton Church, Northamptonsh re

in

:

let in lobed shield.

Communion

St.

crowned above 1683 Silver gilt Connnunion crescent and two pelAlms Dish. lets in shaped shield.

St.

1683 Silver gilt Flagon.

TC

dolphin above and 1683 shaped

fleur de lys in shield.

SH

above mullet plain shield.

P

crowned above

small shield.

in

.

Clement's Church, Eastcheap, City of

London.

LC

I

Mary's Church, Peterborough.

i

R

Script capital letter above pellet in shaped shield.

.

1684

Two Communion Cups.

Antholin's Church, City of London.

St.

Mary Abbot's

Church, Kensington, County of London.

Rat

tailed Spoon.

H. A. Attenborough, Esq.

1684

Plain Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

2^6

MAKER

T

MARK.

S

ARTICLE.

escallop shell above cross

I

Two

1684

I

H

silver

Com-

gilt

Two

pellets above 1684 below in} one square stamii. tlirce

Church. City don.

an animal of some. 1684 Silver kind between letters! Cup.

gilt

Communion'

8

crowned

in

plain 1684 Silver

shield.

Mary A b c h u r c h Church, City of London.

headi St. Mary at Hill Church, City of London.

seal

Spoon.

WM

Siher

beneath pellet or 1684 crown in plain shield

SH

gilt

linked

Spoon.

Communion Flagon.

1684

in

letters

gilt

circular stamp.

Peter-le-Poor St. Church, City of Ijondon.

Mary Abbot's

St. Church,

County Capital letter P crown- 1684: ed in shaped shield. I

7,-

St.

i

iu ellipse. I

av r

ot I-on-

St.

I

Y

J e

I>awience JeAvry Church, Citj' of London.

silver gilt Dishes.

and

I

Lawrence

St.

munion Patens.

and below in shaped stamp.

Communion Flagon two Dishes.

Kensington, of J,ondon.

andj Ealing Church, Middlesex.

Benjamin Pyne. i

I

S

1684

interlaced.

Tankard.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford,

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

1

HT

beneath

lys

SO

with

de 1684;

fleur

and above

pellet.

Communion Flagon.

1684

in

pellets

i

K

Church, London.

above

cinquefoil, 1684 pellets inj plain shield.

and

above mullet.

Church, London.

i

16841

Clement Dane's County of

St.

Spoon.

two

CK

Clement Dane's County of

St.

plain shield.

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

[

I

I

pellet between letters 1684; Communion and fleur de lys below! Paten. in shaped shield. i

and; Little Bowden Chiirch, Northami)tonshire.

Cup

I

|

i

I

I

R

crowned above

let

in

circle.

pel-1 1684!

Communion Bread

St. Giles's

Holder.

Johv\

Church,

Northampton.

linden. I

C

above pellet shaped shield.

S H

in

monogram

in

1684

Communion Cup.

Plumpton Church. Northamptonshire.

in

1684

Communion Alms

Dish.

Walthamstow Church, Essex.

circle.

HP

beneath three pel- 1685 and above tAvo and a rose in plain

lets

shield.

Communion

Dish.

S

t.

Bartholomew the

Less Church, City of liondon.


LIST OF MARKS.

237

maker's makk.

lY

a hart between

let-:

168o;Two Communion

ters in oval stamp.

EC

in

shield.

shaped

I

St.

Communion Paten.

1685

Bartholomew the

I^ss Church, City of Ivondon.

Flagons.

j

Helmdon

Ciiurch, North-

amptonshire.

S crowned

I

in

plain

shield.

;

1685

Silver gilt Spoon.

TE

crowned pellet tween and another neath letters, in shaped shield.

Italic capital letter plain shield.

Communion Alms

1685

be-

Dish.

j

be-i

A

Andrew I'ndershaft

Mears

Ashby Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion Cover Pa- Weedon P n k n e y

1G85

in

St.

Church, City of London.

!

i

ten.

Church, Xorthamp-

I

tonsliire.

C

E

above luullet shaped shield.

Communion Cup.

I680

inj

pellet between let- 1685 ters in irregular

I

y

bridge.

.

All Hallow's

Silver gilt Dish.

pellet

beneatli mullet.

Two-handled Cup.

1685

crowned above 1685 Two Communion Cups, two Patens and cinquefoil and three pellets in plain shield.

FG

above mullet shaped shield.

1685 Silver gilt

City

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Katharine Coleman Church, City of Lon-

St.

don.

Flagon.

in

Church,

Lombard Street, of London.

another

RG PR

e

Queen's College, Cam-

Tankard.

between and 1685 beneath letters in shaped shield.

I

i

Churc;h, Northamptonshire.

FP

stamp

Weedon P n k n

Communion

St.

Tiawrence

Jew

r

v

Church, City of Lon-

Cup.

don.

Three mullets in shaped; 1685 .shield.

GG

in

Heston

Tazza Paten.

shaped shield.

!

Church,

Mid-

dlesex.

I

1685 Monteitlx and Tankard, Skinners' Company, {

liOndon.

T

I

and

two

escallop 1685 {

shells in quatrefoil.

Communion Flagon.

St.

Clement Dan County

Church, Londoii

j

e's

of

.

DB

beneath Kun in 1686 splendour and above inverted crescent in quati-efoil stamp.

P

M

beneath

and above

mullet 1686

fleur de lys

Communion Paten.

St.

Dunstan's Churcli,

Stepney,

County

of

London.

Two

Communion

tens.

Pa- Christchurch Church, City of London.

in lobed stamp.

YT

i)ellet

ters,

two

between let- 1686 above

pellets

and cinquefoil below in shajied aliield.

Two

silver

gilt

munion Patens.

Com-

Mary A b c h u r c h Church, City of London.

St.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

238

MAKER

R

MARK.

dotted

iji

I

S

1686'

circle.

CK

above pellet in 1686 heart shaped shield, i

Commnnion Flagon.

Hillingdon Church, Middlesex.

Communion Cup.

Uxbridge Church, Middlesex.

i

K

I

1686

Two-handled Cup.

.

T. Frere, Esq.

shaped} 1686

Two-handled Cup.

l\.

T. Frere, Esq.

above crescent.

!

i

I

RS

heart

in shield. I

'

R

1686 Reynold's kard.

crowned.

Cup and

Tan-; Skinners' Tx)ndon.

IS

above cinquefoil in 1688 Communion Bread Holder. shaped shield.

D

I

I'^iwsley Ciiurch,

Communion Flagon.

Farthinghoe Church, Northamptonshire.

pellet between and 1688 another beneath let-| ters in shaped shield.

Communion Flagon.

St.

SD

Mary's Church. Aldermary, City of London.

|

escallop above 1688 in outline Thos. Issod.

an

I

Communion

Wappenham Church,

Plate.

and below

C

I

North-

amptonshire.

between six pellets 1688 shaped shield.

in

T

Company,

Northamptonshire.

Pancras Old Church, County of London.

cinquefoil 1688 in

Commnnion Spoon.

St.

beneath mullet; 1689 above iiellet in, cross shaped stamp.

Communion Beaker.

St.

above

|

and

two

pellets plain shield.

WH

Michael's Church, Paternoster Royal, City of Tiondon.

and

RC

three pellets above 1689! 1

and three below

Communion

and: Brentford Church,

Cup

Mid

dlesex.

two Patens.

in cir-

cle.

D

I

dagger between

1689

let-

Communion

and: Tiffield Cliurch,

Cup

Cover Paten.

ters handle to base in plain shield.

RC

between six pellets 1689 in dotted circle. '

North-

amptonshire.

O

Communion Bread Holder.

r s t o n Church, Northamptonshire.

Vo

I

RT

pellet betAveen let-j ters in ellipse.

1690

Communion Alms

Dish.

Grafton Underwood NorthampChurch, tonshire.

TA

beneath

fleur

de

and above three

lys pel-

1690

Pembroke

Candlestick.

College,

Cam

bridge.

lets in circle.

W

IVI

lys I

C

beneath fleur de 1G90

and two

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere. Esq.

pellets.

beneath crown and 1690 Communion Cup Cover Paten. above pellet.

and Fen Ditton Church, Cambridgeshire.


LIST OF MARKS. iTAKER

E

S

MARK.

V

crowned above pellet in lobed shield.

P

Capital letter

shaped

239

1690

Dish.

St.

Communion

Ma

ry A b b o t s St. Church, Kensington,

Dish.

sliield.

'

County I

S

1690

above mullet.

Church, London.

Stephen's

Citj' of

1690

in

Communion Alms

of

London.

King's College, Cam-

Tankard.

bridge.

PH

MH

1691

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

crowned in shaped 1691

Communion Cup.

Friern Barnet Church, Middlesex.

1691

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere Esq.

1691

Silver gilt Dish.

shield.

NL EG

above

in

pellet

Margaret's Church,

St.

lobed shield.

of

Capital script letter in plain shield.

AK RC

D

in plain shield.

between

1691

1691

six pellets 1691

gilt Communion Cup and Spoon.

Silver

CT

in 1G91

linked letters plain shield.

M

Punch

1691

London.

Martin in the Fields County of

Church, London.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Bowl and Cover. Trinity College, bridge.

Communion

amptonshire.

Communion Alms

Dish.

S t. Clement Church, London.

SH

in

in 1691

monogram

RT

a

Communion Bread

and 1692 Communion Cup two Patens, all

cinquefoil

pellets above and the same lielow in cir-

two

Dane's

County

of

King's Cliff e Church, Northamptonshire.

Holder.

circle.

Cam-

and Everdon Church, North

Cup

Cover Paten.

in dotted circle.

St.

Two-handled Cup.

in beaded ellipse.

I

County

"Westminster,

and silver

St.

Olave's

Hart

Church,

Street,

City of

London.

gilt.

cular stamp.

HR

above three pellets 1692 Communion Bread Holder.

King's Cliffe Church Northamptonshire.

in shaped shield. I

W crowned

al)ove let in quatrefoil

stamp.

mul- 1692 Silver gilt Communion St. Dunstan's Church, Spoon. Stepney, City of London.

FA

in monogram plain shield.

RL

above fleur de in scalloned shield.

F

in 1692

Communion

Dish.

Twickenham Church, Middlesex.

Ij's

1693

Two

silver

gilt

munion Flagons.

Com-

Margaret's Church, Westminster, County of London.

St.

G above pellet in 1693 Communion Flagon and West Ham Church, Essex. two Patens. shaped shield. Fran CIS Garthorne. i;


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

240 MAKER

8

I

S

monogram

in

ted

DATE.

MA1!K.

in dot- 1693

Communion Cup.

Mam

West

J

Church, Es-

sex.

circle. j

DA

in siiaped 1093

crowned

Oval Badge or Plaque.

St. Giles's

Church. Cripplegate. City of Lon-

'

stamp.

don.

RC

three pellets n boy e| 1693 three below ini dotted circle.

and

Two Communion

James's

Cups! St.

and Cover Patens and; two Patens, all silver

Piccadilly,

Chu

r c h,

County

of

London,

[

gilt.

HC

two

pellets

1693 Communion Alms

above]

pellets below in shaped shield.

Hayes Church, Middle-

Dish. |

and midlet and twoi

sex.

i

j

!

RF

linked letters above] 1694 pellet in plain shield.

E t h e 1 b u r ga s Ciiurch, City of Lon-

Communion Paten.

AL

pellet above and 1694 fleur de lys below in! j

'

St.

I

don.

Brampton Ash Church

Communion Bread Holder.

Northamptonshire.

sliield.

plain

j

J

C

crowned

in

plain 1694 j

shield.

amptonshire.

8

1694

W

Rat

tailed Spoon.

H. A. Attenborough,

!

!

Esq.

on each side,! and another be-|

pellet

the

Laxton Ciiurch, North

Comnumion Cup.

!

S

low the

W

in

])lain

!

shield.

AR

in iilain sliiokl.

1694

;

Plumpton Church.

C'Ommunion Cup.

Northamptonshire.

HB

above

1694

in

inuilet

Silver gilt

Alms Dish,

Mary's Church. Aldermary. City of TiOn

St.

i

'

plain shield.

I

I

don.

K

1694

Two-handled Cup.

irregular ellipse.! 1695

Communion Paten.

crowned annnlet tween letters.

D B in

he-\

B. T. Frere, Esq.

!

Great Harrowden

!

Church,

Northamp-

tonshire. I

H

crowned pellet tween letters and

1695

be-j

Two Communion Cups

RC

John's

Wapping, j

other below in shaped! shield.

St.

and Covers.

an-l

I

Church, City of

London.

!

in oblong.

1695

Communion Paten, j

Lichborongh Church, Northamptonshire.

I

I

I

pellet fle'ur

de

andl St. Margaret's Church. two; Westminster, County silver gilt, of Jjondon.

between and 1695 Communion Cup and below let-| Cover,

lys

ters in lobed shield.

PH

I

Flagons,

all

i

crowned pellet be- 16951 Silver gilt octagonal Tea The Marquis of Exeter. Kettle. tween letters above crescent shield.

1

in

shaped;


IJST MAKEK

NK

in

S

MAKK.

monogram

neath

I

be-

I

tliree pellets.

241

D.vrE

1696

Two-handled

]{.

Cxip.

T. Krere,

iOsci.

\

GG

above mullet, in shaped shield. (Teoige Gdithotup.

WS

OF MARKS.

!

Communion

1696

Cup

Ke m

and

I a r h Church, Northam}>tonshire

Cover Paten.

I

.s

\

I

in

shaped

]696

shield.

Great Oxendon Church,

Communion Cup.

i

'\

Nortliauiptonshire.

MA

1696

Hampton

Fire Dogs.

Court.

I

LE

between let-j 1696 Connnnnion Bread above andj Holder. below and three pel-j lets on each side, in, rose

circle.

R

i

above mullet shaped shield.

RG

above pellet in

in|

1696

el-

!

Communion

Cup

two Patens.

above

pellet

])lain shield.

in|

1696 I

Sdinucl

Dell.

and Charwelton Church, Northamptonshire. ,

Communion Paten.

j

1

I

Harrington Church, Northamptonshire.

i

From

1697 until about 1720 the plate workers used the letters of their

in dotted rectangle

1697

in plain shield.

DE BA

1697

1697

sex.

Communion Paten.

Cup

Cover Paten,

crowned in shaped 1697

shield.

Botolph's Church, Aldgate, City of London.

St.

and St. Mary Abbot's Church, Kensington, County of London.

Communion Paten.

J. Chartier

Abbot's St. Church, Kensington,

Mary

County

E

DB

1697

A

Cup

and

two

Chelmsford Church, Es-

Two Communion

Communion

first

surnames

Flagons.

PE

IJyfield

I

I

SD

Church, North amptonshire.

Communion Paten.

1696

i

lil)se.

CH

Howden Church,

Nortluuiiptonsliire

TiiiKdlnj Lee.'.

W

Gi

Little

pellet

ters,

Candlestick

Duke

of

London.

of Manchester.

with arms of William III.

WiUiam Denny & John Backe.

GA

crowned in circle. 1697 William Gamble.

A No

in monogram. 1697 Anthony Nelme.

Communion Cup. Monteith.

Steane Churcli, Northamptonshire.

Pembroke bridge.

College,

Cam-


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

242

MAKER

MARK.

S

BO

Great Billing Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion Flagon.

with mitre above 1697 flour de lys below, in shaped shield. John Boddington.

and

Vn

Communion Bread

1697

in shaped shield.

Upper

Boddington

Church,

Holder.

Northamp-

tonshire.

RO

heart

in

shaped 1697 Communion Paten.

Cup

and Byfield Churcli, North-

shield. Iluohltoheiis.

a. above fleur de lys in shaped shield.

J

Communion Cup, Cover Oundle

1697

Paten, Flagon and Bread Holder.

Henry Jay.

C

1

amptonshire.

I

16971

in shaped shield.

Chxirch,

Noith-

amptonshire.

Ilaunds Church, Northamptonsbire.

Communion Cup.

j

GA

above 1698 Communion Alms Dish. St. Michael's Church, Cornhill, City of J.onshaped don.

crowned

i

in

crescent shield.

PA

Humphrey FA

I'ayne.

in ellipse.

1698

Plain Tumbler

1698'

Communion Flagon.

R. T. Frere. Fsq.

Kelmarsh C

li u re b, Northami)tonsiiijc.

'

!

i

B

crowned above

I

1698

bird.

j

Pair of Candlesticks.

K- T. Frere, Esq.

'

Josh. Bird.

ST

1698

Two-handled Cup.

1699

Silver gilt Dish.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Josh. Stokes.

G

I in dotted rectangular stamp with cor-

ners cut

St.

Martin's

Fields

in

the

Church,

County of lyondon.

off.

KE

beneath two pellets 1699 and above star in| i

Tankard.

Trinity College, bridge.

Cam-

shield. William. Keatt.i

M

beneath

I

two

pel-j

1699

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere. Esq.

lets. ;

WA an anchor between! 1699 letters shield.

SO

in

Communion Paten.

shaped!

,

Hemington Church, Northamptonshire.

Joseph Ward.\ 1699

ral.

Snuff Box.

St.

John's College, Cam-

bridge.

J

a,

in plain shield.

1699

Communion Flagon.

Hemington Church, Northamptonshire.

LE

pellet between let- 1699 Communion Cup, Cover Preston Capes Church Paten and Bread ters, a rose above and Northamptonshire. below and three pelHolder. lets on each side in

circle.

Timothy

T^ec.


LIST OF MARKS. maker's mauk.

AR T

DATE.

in plain shield.

r script letters pellet in shaped shield.

ST

in shield.

heart

I

1699

St. Ethelburga's Church.

Spoon.

1

above 16991 Foxir

silver

gilt

Com-

munion Patens.

shaped 1699;

HS

pellet above below in shaped

243

Margaret's Church, Westminster, County of London.

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

and 1700 Communion Bread

Ashton Church, North-

1

I

St.

Holder.

amptonshire.

shield. circa j

DH

in

irregular

ob- 1700:

Communion Paten.

long

amptonshire.

ctrca

WG

I

with pellet below 1700! in heart shaped shield.

L E crowned

in outline.

17001

George Lewis.

CO

Welton Church, North-

1

three pellets above 17001

and

rose between

annulets

shaped

below,

Silver gilt

Two

Alms Dish.

Communion

Barking Church, Essex,

Pa- Croughton Church, Northamptonshire

tens

.

Communion Flagon.

Dallington Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion Flagon.

Milton Church, Northamptonshire.

two in

shield.

liobert Cooper.

HO

and 1700

above

pellet

below in

ellipse. circa

W

I above pellet shaped shield.

in

Communion Cover Pa- Great Oakley

1700

ten.

Cliurch,

Northamptonshire.

circa

DC

between

six pellets

Communrpn Paten.

1700

in plain shield. I

o

with

pellet

Communion Cup.

above 1700

Steane Church, Northamptonshire.

Great

and below in shaped

Warley Church

Essex.

shield.

GA

in

monogram

shaped shield. cis Garthorne.

Lu

in

1700'

Communion Alms

Dish. Chelmsford Church, Es-

Fran-

above pellet shaped shield.

in

sex.

17001 I

Two Communion Alms

St.

Andrew by theWard-

robe Church, City of

Dislies.

London.

Le

in square stamp 17001 with corners cut off. Pefley Ley.

Two

Communion

Mary's C h u r Hornsey, County

Pa- St.

tens.

j

c h.

of

T>ondon.

i

L

pellet between letthree ters, pellets above and fleur de lys in below, plain shield. I

WA

1700}

Silver gilt Spoon.

St. James's Piccadilly,

Chn

r c h.

County of

London. ctrca

[

beneath bird vol- 1700: ant in shaped stamp. ,S'. WusteU.

Two

C'ommunioii

tens.

Pa- Southgatc Church, Middlesex.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

244

ARTICLE.

maker's mark.

1

GO

N

1700 Pair of Chocolate Cups and Covers.

Lord Crewe, i

crowned.

1701

HA

1701 Pair of Ewers and Sal-,

Farl Spencer, K.G.

Pair of large Flagons.

Earl Spencer, K.G.

vers.

Peter Harache.

LE

King's College, Cam-

Tankard.

1701

bridge.

S

above some object. 1701

I

Mary's C h u r c h, Bromley S t. Leo nards, County of Ix)n-

St.

Dish.

don.

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

1701

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

beneath two mnl- 1701 lets and above fleui de lys.

Ewer and Salver.

RO

trefoil

above and 1701

below.

VN

Wl

Do

flenr de and below.

lys

above 1702

Marquis

Two-handled Cup.

of Abercorn.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Jolm

Dowries.

LO

key above and fleur 1702 lys below in shaped shield. Nathaniel Lock.

Communion Flagon.

Mears

de

J

above flenr de lys 1702 in shaped shield.

a,

lleiirjj

Jay-

Ashby Church, Northamptonshire.

I

Cup and Bulwick Church, North two Cover Paten, amptonshire. Flagons and Bread

Communion Holder.

Me

Ewer Lord "Willoughby de shaped with royal arms, and Ei-esby. " motto Sempre

1702 Helmet

eadem."

BF

script letters.

L A above

fleur de lys in

1702

Two-handled Cup.

1702

Communion Cup.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashby. Si her toft

shai)ed shield.

CH

crowned

in

1702

plain

Communion Bread Holder.

shield.

CR

in a woolsack.

1702

Silver

gilt

i

Cover

beneath mitre stamp.

in 1702

trefoil

Two Communion Alms Dishes.

Towcester Church Northamptonshire.

to St.

Communion Cup.

GA

Church,

Northamptonshire.

James's

Chn

r c h,

Garlickhithe, City liondon. St.

Margaret Patten's

Church, City of Ixin don.

AK

beneath pellet shaped shield.

ir j

|

1703

Rat

tailed Spoon.

of

H.

.v.

Esq.

Attenborough,


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

245

S llAHK.

DW

beneath two and; 1703 Communion Cup above throe pellets Cover Paten.

and S

t.

and rose in shaped stamp.

CO

beneath

lieartl

IJartholomeAV the Church, City of

I^ess

1

|

London.

I

I

a

bird,

1703

i

Communion Flagon.

Thomas Cothct.

Bra.vbrook Church,

I

Northamptonshire.

;

BO

beneath mitre and 1703 Communion Bread above fieur de hs in Holder. shaped shield, .lohn

Great Billing Church, Northamptonshire.

TioddiiKjton.

P

Communion

a. beneath some ob- 1703 Silver gilt ject and abo\e pellet Cup. in shaped shield.

St. Nicholas Cole Abbey CImrch, City of Lon-

don.

Ilamphrey Vuijae.

Co ANe

in

1703

monogram

stamp,

T

in

(reortje

lobed 1704 Lewis.

mullet above 1704 below in plain

witli

I

and

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Large Tureen.

1/ord

Hnnipton Church, Mid-

Communion Cup.

dlesex.

Mountmossing Church,

Communion Paten.

Essex.

!

shield.

R

!

above curved line in 1704 Communion Alms Dish.' Cosgrove Church, Northamptonshire. shaped shield.

E

A

in

oblong stamp.

1704

Silver

1

Anthnlin's Church, City of London.

Communion

gilt

St.

Paten.

DE

beneath mullet and| 1704 Communion Cup above cinqnefoil in Cover Paten. cxuatrefoil stamp.

SI

LA

1704

letters] 1704

script

crowned above

Fa

crowned stamp.

j

[Middlesex.

B. T. Frere, Esq.

Two-handled Cup.

Rat

H. A. Attouborough,

tailed Spoon.

Es(| I

in circuhiri

1705

Communion

Cup

and Houuslow Church, Mid

Cover Paten and Flagon,

O

and Kingsbury Church,

pellet

in shaiied stamj).

L

Bateman.

An-

shaped shield. thaiiij Xelme.

L E crowned

in 1703

Two-handled Cup.

dlesex.

all silver gilt. '

in

monogram

in

1705

Communion Flagon.

Chingford Church, Es

oval stami).

FA

in ellipse.

WA

anchor between 1705 shaped

letters in sliicld.

Cup, Pa- Harringworth Church two Flagons and Northamptonshire. Bread Holder.

William 1705 Communion

Fawderu.

ten,

Communion Paten.

Stanwick Church, Northamptonshire.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

>46

MAKEK J

S

MABK.

shaped shield,

a. in

1705

i

Communion

Two

Pa- st.

Church,

Stephen's

Coleman

tens.

Street, City of Jxjndon.

WA

beneath bird in 1705 Three Communion Pa-i St. George the Martyr rectanguhn- s t a m p o 1 b o r n, Church, tens, two Klagons and! with lobe above. Countv of London, two Dishes, all silveri

H

Samuel Wastell.

Sp

gilt.

in plain shield.

1705

I

Silver gilt Spoon.

George the Martyr o 1 b o r n. Church,

St.

H

Count J-

P

a.

beneath some ob- 1705 Silver gilt Communion St. 1'^ Flagon.

ject and above pellet in shaped shield.

of Ix)ndon.

in Martin's 1 d s Chu

e

i

Countv

of

the r c h.

London

Humphrey Vayne.

HV

italic letters.

SV LA

1705

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

An

1705

Sugar Caster.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford

in circle.

1706

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

script

letters! 17OG

Spoon.

crowned above pellet! in square stamp withi

St.

Stephen's

Walbrook,

London

Church,

City of

.

lobe below.

SP

Avitli

pellet

above 1706

Tankard.

and below.

GL

two pellets above 17O6 and one below in

Rat

tailed Spoon.

Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. Trinity College,

Cam-

bridge.

i

shield. I

L E an

object above and 1706 below and seven dots in circular stamp.

Two Communion Alms Dishes.

All

Hallow's

Church,

liOm})ard Street, City of

London.

Timothy Lee,

MA

beneath crown and 1706 above mullet. S(tmite1\

Mar

PY

(I

as.

Ewer

Pembroke

College, Cani-

I)ridgc.

\

beneatji rose in shaped

crown

and 1706 Communion ]}read Dish, Romford Church, Essex.

stamp.

EA in

above fleur de shaped shield.

1706 Silver gilt Paten.

lys! j

Communion

St.

Rotolph's

.Vldersgate.

Church City

of

liondon.

Dl

above three

pellets!

1706

Communion Paten.

in plain shield. j

PE

beneatli three pel-! 1706

lets in

Communion Cup.

shaped shield, j

DE

beneath mullet and 1706 above cinquefoil in quatrefoil stamp.

Tankard.

Sywell Church, amptonshire.

North-

Haselbeach Church, Northamptonshire.

Mr. Robinson.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

Ti

S

?4/

MAltK.

OWNKl!.

with mullet above 170G Comnninion Bread below in plain, Holder.

and

Lichborough Church, Northamptonshire.

I

liohcit

shield,

Tini-l

brelL I

CO

beneath three

rose and annulets, in shaped shield. liohert Cooper.

Communion Paten.

1706

pel-j

and above two

Sutton Church, Xorth-

lets

\

YO

Two Communion Cups.

beneath pellet in 1706 Edshaped shield.

ward

WE J

amiitonsliire.

!

j

Yorlce.

don.

i

with three pellets. 1706

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

above flenr de Ijs in 1707 Connnunion Bread Holder. shaped shield. Ilenrij Jay.

Gayton Church, North

a.

Capital letter G emlos-' 1707 A in shaped: ing Francis (iarshield. thorne.

Communion ver

\

BU

cinque a nd two pel- 1707 above and one; pellet below in shaped:

Two 1

amptonshire.

and. Rothwell Church, and! Northamptonshire.

Cup

Cover Paten Bread Holder,

M

a ry - 1 c - B o w Church, City of Lon-

St.

;

I

all sil-

gilt.

rat tail Spoons.

Margaret's Church. County of London.

St.

!

lets

Westni'nster,

I

I

shield. I

AO

above fleur de

Communion Alms

1707

lys

in circle.

Dish.i Steane

Church, amptonshire.

1

j

GA

crowned

Communion Flagon,

between 1707 |

three pellets in circle. Wdliaiii Gamble.

Capital letter ing R.

G

North-

C h u r c h, Northamptonshire.

Whitfield j

i

|

]

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Two-handled Cup

enclos- 1708 I

AT

beneath three pel-! 1708 Communion Cup Cover Paten. and above covered] cup between two pel-| lets, in shaped shield, lets

and

"N^liitfield

Ch

ix

r c h,

j

Northamiitonshire.

|

j

Charles

Ro

.it J; in son.

croM'ned

above 1708 Silver gilt Communion All Hallow's the Great Alms Dish. Church, City of Lonshaped i

1

j

fleur de lys in shield.

I

j

don. I

ME

with two sickles 170S; above and over these

Spoon.

a sheaf of corn.

BO

Cam-

I

with mitre above 1708 fleur de lys be-| low, in shaped shield.' John Boddinafon.

and

Clare College, bridge.

I

Two Communion Flagons.

Mary's Church. Bromley St. Leonard, County of Lon-

St.

don.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE

248

MAKER

S

M.VHK.

SL

beneatli globe in 1708 rectan<rular stamp GaAvith lobe above.

Coiii- St. Paul's Church, Hamsilver gilt jiuinion Flagons. mersmith, County of

Two

!

T^ondon.

briel Sli'((th.

BE

Wl

1708

beneath two stars 1709 fleur de lysi

Coninumion Flagon.

|

and above in

Dae id Wilhtume.

MA

P

crowned in

shield. gas.

Jacob

a.

Two Communion

I

beneath some mark! 1709 above i)e11et in

Silver gilt Disli.

and

fleur

below in shaped shield. Nathaniel Lock.

Communion

h u

r v

No rthamptonsh

'

I1,

re

.

|

i

Communion Paten.

St. Peter's

Church,

Northampton.

\

GR

l)eneath two ])ellets 17091 and above cres-cent in shaped shield.

Pe

above in Jolni shaped shield. Sfncker dEdward Peacock. beneath

Church.

'

pellet above and! 1709 I)elow in iilain shield.'

CO

Hallow's

Da vent ry C

IJread

Holder,

I

LO

Itobert LovrU.

.Ml

Street, City of Ixjudon.

1709!

lys

St

1

Lombard

lobcd shield.

de

i

Maidwell C h u r oh, Xortluimptonshire.

Flagons.

Mar-

L O key above and

M

I

above 1709 shaped

mullet

Lawrence's Church, d d eBrentford,

St.

sex.

sliield.l

irregular

R. T. Frere, Esq.

TAvo-handled Cu]).

two

]

Rat

tailed Spoon.

Communion Bread

709

Wliitfield

Holder.

Church,

Northaniptonsh're.

Two-handle<l Cup.

1709

])el-'

Mr. Munsey.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

lets.

W

I above fleur de lys in sliaped shield. John

Wisdome.

RO

in

James 1710

elli])se.

Bood.

SH

with

two

])ellet

above 1710

in lozenge.;

i)ellets

above 1710

beneath

rose

College,

Cam-

l)ridge. !

Rat

tailed Spoon.

Mr. ^Tunsey.

'

I

Great

and' 1710

crown

in

shield.

Benjamin

Pj/ne.

Peakirk Church, Northamptonshire.

Pembroke

Mug.

j '

1

and one beneath.

Py

Cu]).

i

and below

DA

Comnninion

\

irregular;

1

,

j

silver

and Rest,

gilt

Mae^

Corporation of Cambridge.


[JST OF

249

mak.

maker's

SL

MARKS

beneath

1710 Silver gilt Paten.

in

p;lobe

stamp with f5quare (Jahiid lobe above.

Communion

Michael's Church. Highgate, Countj- of London.

St.

iSlcatli.

PA

above

fleiir

de

Cup

and

Cup

and

]710 Two-handled

lys.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Cover

PE

beneath mullet in 1711 s t a ni p rectangular with lobe above. Edmund Pearce.

EA

above

plain East.

in

])ellet

shield.

j

Jolt

11

Communion Paten.

1711 Silver gilt Paten.

Capital letter G enclos- 1711 ing A in shaped

Two

Communion

silver gilt

Cups and

Covers and a Paten.

Michael's Church Ashford, Middlesex.

St.

Church, Peterborough.

St. John's

Sw'-thin's

St.

Church

City of liondon.

shield.

Re

crowned

above

1711

ficur de lys in shaped John Bead. shield.

PA

beneath large rose.

B 3.

in

shield.

shaped

Silver

gilt

Communion

Cup 1711 171-2

London.

F

A

in

shaped stamp.

Communion

Plate.

Two Communion Cups.

Maskell, Fsq.

Stanford Church, Northamptonshire. Michael's Church, Paternoster R o y a 1, City of Tiondon.

St.

1712 Salver with royal arms. Dr. and Mrs.

Ashford.

and

l^s

L O key above and de

be-

letters

script

neath fleur de above pellet.

1712

W.

Four circular Stands.

liichard Bayleij,

Ra

Mary's Church, Strand, County of

St.

fleui-

1712

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

below in shaped shield. Nathaniel Loch. lys

Capital roman letter in

B

1713

Communion Alms

Dish. Thorp Achurch Church.

Northamptonslrre.

shield.

shaped

SL

above pellet in shaped shield.

1713 Silver

gilt

Communion

Paten.

Dunstan's Church, Stepney, County of

St.

London. 1713

I

TB

Comnuinion Paten.

Rainham Church,

Es-

sex.

o

in quatrefoil.

JRohert

Tiiiibrell.

ANe

in

monogram

shaped shield. thony Nelme.

in

.1/t-

1713

Communion Paten.

Aston-le-Walls Church,

Northamptonshire.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

250 MAKER

PL

MARK.

S

DATE.

abovejijis Two Cups and Cover

crowned

LE

Castle

Ashby Church, Northamptonshire.

j

Patens, Flagon, Bread and Alms; Holder, Dish, all silver gilt.

fleur de Jys in shaped' shield. Paul de La-

between let-j 1713 Communion Bread above and Holder. below and three pellets on each side within circle. Timothy

8t. Peter's

a pellet rose

Lee.

Church,

Northampton.

ters,

i

W

Communion Flagon.

Fawsley Church, Northamptonshire.

1713

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

an anchor between' 1714

Communion Paten.

I beneath urn in 1713 shaped outline. Bich-\ aid Williams. ,

j

I

F L crowned.

PO

East Haddon Church, Northamptonshire.

letters in shield.

Vi Pa

in

shaped

shield.

Tliomas Parr.

1714

Pepper Caster.

|]714

Communion Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Wood Newton

Church, Northamiitonshire.

\

W

I beneath vase shaped stamp.

Two

1714

in;

silver

gilt

Com-

Bartholomew by the Exchange Royal Church, City of Lon-

St.

munion Patens.

don.

Lo

!

Kd

beneath hart or! goat in lobed stamp,

1714

Two-handled Cup.

171-5

Communion Paten.

R. T. Frere, Esq. Ashford

W

I

Cup and Cover.

beneath two stars! 1715 fleur de lysj

Pembroke

and above

in irregular shield.

beneath

College,

Cam-

bridge.

\

two

pel-!

lets.

SL

Mid-

'

David Willaume.

LO

Church,

dlesex.

i

1715

Two-handled Cup.

1715

Communion Paten.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

:

above

annulet

ini

Andrew Undershaft Church, City of London.

St.

lobed shield.

PY

Communion

below a rose and 1715 ducal coronet in

Cup

Cover Paten.

and Brington C h u r c h, Northamptonshire. '

\

Ben-

shaped shield. jamin Pyne.

PL

\

in ellipse.

;

Two

1715

silver

munion

gilt

Cui^s.

Com-j St. i

Clement's

Eastcheai),

Church

City of

London. I

CO

Two Communion

Flag-' St. Nicholas Cole Ab ons, two Cups and Pa-j bey Church, City of tens and three Dishes, London,

three pellets above' 1715 and rose between two! annulets b e 1 o w in

shaped

shield.

Cooper.

Bobert

\

!

all silver gilt.


IJST OF MARKS. MAKKU

ANe

in

S

MAIUC.

IDATE.

monogram

1715 Set of silver

in

munion

An-

shaped shield. thony Nelme.

251

ME

Com- Whitchurch Church,

gilt

;

Plate.

I

Tea Caddy.

with two sickles 1715 above and over these

Middlesex.

H. A. Attenborough, Esq.

a sheaf of corn.

W

beneath two mul- 1710 and above fleur

I

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

lets

de

lys. j

GR

beneath rrown.

|

Candlestick.

1716

Queen's

College,

Cam-

bridge.

PL

1716 Sih'er

in ellipse.

|

Communion Hornchurch Church,

gilt

Alms Dish.

Pa.

irregular!

in square.

1716 Set of

Thomas Par.

CL

heart

in shield.

Kettering C h 11 r c h, Xorthami)tonshire.

Communion

Plate.

shaped! 1716 Silver

Comnmnion

gilt

Cup and

j

Es-

sex.

St. Paul's

Cover.

well.

Church, Shad-

County

of Lon-

don.

W B

a. in

oblong stamp.

1717

,

in gothie letters be-j 1717

i

oath trefoil and above bird.

Mrs. Gra5'.

Teapot.

Gonville and Caius Col-

Salt. j

lege,

11

j

Cambridge.

{

CL

and Weekley Church, North-

above pellet in 1717 Communion Cup Cover Paten. shaped shield. Joseph Clare, lieart

LE

1

with seven dots and 1717 Four

two

ampton.shire.

:

pellets in circle.

silver

gilt

Dunstan in the East Church, City of Lon-

Com-

St.

munion Cups.

|

don.

BO

with mitre above 1717 and fleur de lys below in shaped shield.

Communion Paten.

!

I

i

Pancras Old Cliurch, County of Loudon.

St.

!

John BodiHf/fon.

L

O

in

'

monogram.

F r above

pellet in

1717

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

1717

Ciborium.

Ealing Church, Middlesex.

plain shield.

S

I

above pellet in

cir-j

cle.

]717

Paten on

Major

foot.

C. A.

Markham.

I

FA

crowned in circle. Williajn Faudery.

1718 j

\ i

RG

TO

Communion Flagon.

Mary's Church, Bow, County of l^ondon.

St.

.

circa

1718

Communion Cup.

1

AVest

Ham

Church, Es-

sex.

with pellet in quatre liichard stamp.

foil

Gurney

CD

<

Co.

in plain shield.

1718

Communion Cup.

All Saints' Church,

Xorthampton.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

2'>2

MAKEK

O

L

MAKK.

S

Coniinunion Paten.

3718

in

monogram

ill

i

ellipse.

G

I

crowned

I

in

Comninnion Dish.

plain 1718

Corby St.

Clement

Dane's

C

o n n t y of

j

shield.

I !

North-

Clmrcli.

amptonshire.

Chwrcli,

London.

i

I

LA

a

beneath

grey- 1719

I

W

sluiped

j

fleur-de-lys{ 1719 shield.

Communion Cup.

Hulton Church, Essex

| j

above

I

,

Wisdowe.

Jolin

W

and; St. Mary's Church, Bel tort, Middlesex.

!

above

in

Cnp

j

ford. I

Coiiinmiiion

Cover Paten,

hound sejant in lobed stani]). Thomas La ii(i-\

in

pellet

Marstou T

Comnuinion Paten.

1719

r

Chuich,

riliaped shield.

u

s

se

1

1

Northamp-

tonshiie.

CA

crowned

1719 Silver gilt Paten.

in ellipse.

Communion

St. I

j

MA

above pellet liaped shield.

AL

in

in!

I

1719

!

Two

Luke's Church. Wol North-

lingborough, amptonshire.

Pa- Holv

Communion

don 1719

rectangular

Straining Spoon.

Margaret's Church.

St.

j

of in (juatrefoil.

SL

above

in

pellet

lobed stamp. SIrafh

1719'

Two-handled Cup.

1719

Mug.

i

Church

.

Westmin.ster,

.stamp.

BA

Trinity

Minor-'es, City of Lon-

tens.

IL T. Frere, Esq.

Pembroke

Gabriel

County

London.

College,

Cam-

bridge.

.

Lo

two

beneath

pel-

17^9

Two-handled Cup.

IL T. Frere, Esq.

Two-handled Cup.

B. T. Frere, Esq.

lets.

A Lo

V black letter.

above

mullet

'

1719 in

Communion Cup.

1720

plain shield.

A

F

above mullet.

1720

I

Communion

Cup

and! Clay Coton Church,

Northamptonshire.

Flagon.

F

i

beneath crown.

Pembroke College, Cam-

Salt.

1720

Williain Fleming.

EC

above

pellet

bridge. in

1720

Communion Flagon.

heart shaped shield.

PA 'f

AO

in

shaped stamp. 1720

Humphrey Payne. beneath

Ivs in circle.

fleur

Brannston C h u r c h, Northamptonshire.

de 1720

Holdenby

Church,

Northamptonshire.

Two

silver gilt

Cups and

"Writtle Church,

Essex.

Patens.

Communion Flagon.

Steane Church, Northamptonshire.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER J

MAUK.

S

in sliape<l licnrii Jail. a,

S

I

sliicld.

Communion

1720 j

Friern Bamet Church, Middlesex.

Cui).

i

two

pellets.

1720

Two-handled Cup.

old Fiiifjlish letters beneath two pellets and al)ove one, in John shield. lobed

1720

Communion Flagon.

above

253

E D

T. Frere, Esq.

11.

Uxbridge Church, Middlesex.

Edwards.

F

A

in

GB

11/7-

ellipse.

1721

Pembroke

Cup.

Favdery.

liain

beneatli

College,

Cam-

bridge.

bird

in

Communion

1721

Cui)

and! East Carlton Church,

1

R e crowned de

Jolin

sliicld.

in

^

above fleur 1722 in

lys

IS

CoAer Paten.

siiield.

sliaped

shaped

Northamptonshire. Church. Cor Garden, County

St. Paul's

Silver gilt Spoon.

ent

sliaj)ed

Head.

of rjondon.

shield.

1722

Communion Cup.

Martin's

St.

St

Jainen St'ubionk.

a

Church,

mford

IJaron,

Northamptonshire.

T

F in outline. FolhiiKjhain.

Tlivinas

above fleur de lys in heart sliaped shield.

A

Two Communion

M

^lartin's

St.

Church, Haion, Northamptonshire,

St

Flagons.

BN

H

1722

1722

Communion

1722

Two-handled Cup.

1723

Snuffers and Tray.

a

m ford

Margaret'.s Church. Westminster, County of London.

St.

Dish.

K. T. Frere,

E.sq.

P in I

G

shaped shield. in

monogram

in

heart shaped shield.

Clare College,

Cam-

bridge.

PY

beneath crown and 1723 Four small Maces. stamp. ]}rirjamiii

silver

gilt

rose in iirejiular

Corporation of Cambridge.

J'uiir.

TF

beneath fleur de 1723 Silver gilt Communion Soutli AVeald Essex. iind above mullet Alms Dish.

lys

Church

in (luatrei'oil.

NG

in lozenge.

yafJi- 1723

aiiicl Gidlirer.

Communion Bread Holder.

MA

beneath two mul- 1723 and above fleur de lys in shanwl shield. Sa7inud ^far-

Communion

Pateii.

Cransley Cluirch, Northamptonshire.

Cowley Church, Middle, sex.

lets

(jas. 1

B

with mullet above 1723 below in lobed

and

shield.

John

B'Kjnrll

Communion Bread Holder.

Greens Norton Church Northamptonshire.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

'54

MAKER

PE

8

MARK.

Two Communion Alms Hadley Monken Church.

1723

in plain shield.

j

Middlesex.

Dishes.

E

above mullet in 1723 heart shaped shield.

I

Cup, Pa- Lowick Church, Northamptonshire. Flagon and Alms]

Communion

i

ten,

i

1

Dish. I

GB

beneath bird shaped shield.

in

A H H

1724;

Communion Flagon.

1724

Communion Paten.

East Carlton Church, Northamptonshire.

'

Evenley Church, Northamiitonshire.

P in

shaped shield.

PH

beneath a corn 1725 sheaf in lobed stamp. Paul Ilannet.

I

A

in

vSilver gilt

John the Evangelist Cliurch, Westminster,

St.

Spoon.

County

London.

Private Chapel, Althorp House, Northampton-

Christening Bowl.

shaped outline. 1725;

of

Charles Jackson.

shire.

FG

mullet

above shaped shield. CIS Gurthorne.

HS

beneath

lys foil

Two Communion

1725

inj

Fran

St.

Church,

John's

j

Wapping, County

Flagons.

of

T/ondon.

fleur

de 1725

Two Communion ;

and above cinquein hexagonal

Flag-i Ruislip Church, dlesex.

ons and Alms Dish.

I

Mid

i

stamp.

PG

I

heart

in shield.

shaped] 1720 I

TB

Communion Paten,

i

in oval.

Uxbridge Church, Middlesex.

I

Muffineer.

1726

Cam-

Je.sus College,

bridge. I

M

in

shaped

shield.

1726!

|

John MUUngton.

?

Communion Paten.

Laxton Church, Northamptonshire.

|

PP

beneath rose andj X726 Silver gilt Communion crown in shaped Alms Dish.

Clement's Church, Eastcheap. City of

St.

I/ondon.

stamp.

WD

beneath trefoil in 1726 shaped stamp. William. Daiker.

Two

silver

gilt

Com-

munion Flagons.

St.

Martin in the Fields County of

Church,

Jyondon.

\

I

I

PL

script letters

1726

crowned above pellet in shaped stamp. Paul^

Two

silver

gilt

Com-

munion Flagons.

j

St.

Martin

Church,

in the Fields

County

of

T/ondon.

de iMmerie.

\

AV

I

beneath pellet irregular stamp.

P

crowned stamp.

To

between

in ellipse.

in

1726

inj

Communion Flagon.

shaped 1727 Silver gilt helmetshaped Jug.

five pellets

Littleton Cliurch,

Mid-

dlesex.

I

1727 [

Communion Flagon.

The Marquis

of Exeter.

Haselbcach Church, Northamptonshire.


LIST OF MARKS. maker's mark.

255

ARTICLE.

M &C.

1728

Taper Candlestick.

St. John's College,

Cam-

bridge.

ANe

linked in shaped 1728 j

yelme.

DW

Two Communion Cups, Ecton Church, two Patens and

Francis

shield.

North

amptonshire.

Flagon.

David 1728 Communion Cup, Paten, Potterspury C h u r c Bread and Flagon Northamptonshire.

in oblong.

Willaume.

h,

Holder.

WD

beneath trefoil in 1728 Communion Alms Dish stamp.

trefoil

G8.

1728

Helen's C h u r c h, Bishopsgate, City of lyondon.

St.

Corporation of Doncas

Cup.

ter. I

L and

1728

trefoil.

Capital letter G enclos- 1728 in square ing

W

of Stamford and Warrington,

Earl

Toilet Set.

Mrs. Gray.

Small Coffee Pot.

stamp.

RZ

be- 1729

letters

script

neath mullet in irregular stamp with lobe above. Bichard Zouch.

Cup

and

Cover Paten.

TW

beneath cinquefoil in lobed stamp.

R

Communion

1729

Communion Flagon.

John the Evangelist Church, Westminster, County of London.

St.

Great

Tieigh.s

Church,

Essex.

above heart in shaped 1729 |

Communion Cup.

shield.

Norton Church, North amptonshire.

I

circa I

A

1729

Communion Flagon.

Joseph Alien decui Fox.

TK

beneath

lys

<

Aynhoe Church, Northamptonshire.

lyiF in plain shield.

Mor-

fleur

de 1729

pellet between letters, in four-Iobed stamp.

T

Two Communion Cups, two Patens and two

and above mullet,

Flagons.

Tankard.

1729

George in the East Church, County of London.

St.

J.

H. Walter, Esq.

R C C pellet between letters in quatrefoil.

T

I

pellet

between and 1729 Communion Cover Paten.

cinquefoil below letters in plain shield.

W P crowned.

1730

Spoon.

Pancras Old Church, County of London.

St.

St.

Magnus Church,

City of London.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

256 maker's mark.

RB

beneath annulet in 1730 Silver gilt rectangular stamp Flagon. with lobe above. Itichard Bayley.

PA

crowned.

W above

R

star.

Communion Hendon Church, Mid dlesex.

1730

Six Sconces.

1731

Salt.

Earl

of Stamford and Warrington.

Emmanuel

College,

Cambridge.

E

V

pellet

low in

above and be- 1731 ? Ed-

ellipse.

Two

Communion

Pa- Oundle Church, Northamptonshire.

tens.

ward Vincent.

E

Y

above pellet in

1731

Two Communion two Flagons,

John the Evangelist Church, Westminster, County of London.

Cujis St.

and Cover Patens and'

plain shield.

all silver

gilt.

CK

above pellet shaped shield.

L C crown and

in 1732

Candle Cup and Cover. H. A. Attenborough, Esq.

fleur de

1732

Tea Kettle.

1732

Milk Pot and Cover.

1733

Fork.

Windsor

Castle.

lys.

A C. PH

beneath acorn.

Earl of Home. Jesus College,

Cam-

bridge.

C.

Isaac Coohson.

1733

Candlestick.

St.

John's College, Cam-

bridge.

S

above cinquefoil in 1733 rectangular stamp with lobe above.

M or W R

in plain shield.

I pellet between ters in ellipse.

GS

above

in

let-

1734

1734

Two Communion Flagons.

St.

Luke's Church, Old

Street,

County

of

Ix)ndon.

Communion

Cup and Private Chapel, BurghCover Paten, Flagon ley House, N o r t h and Alms Dish. amptonshire.

Communion Cup.

Lilbourne Church, Northamptonshire.

shaped 1734 Communion Alms Dish. Stanwick Church, Northamptonshire.

shield. Gabriel Sleath.

T R.

1734

Walpole Mace.

Corporation of Norwich.

CH

and 1734 Communion Cup and Stoke Doyle Church, some mark beneath in Cover Paten, Flagon Northamptonshire. shaped outline. and two Dishes. a pellet above

Charles Hatfield.

DW

in

plain

oblong. 1735

David Willaume.

PL

Communion

Cup and Apethorp Church, Cover Paten, Flagon Northamptonshire. and two Dishes.

beneath crown and 1735 Silver gilt mullet and above fleur Flagon. de in lys shaped shield. Paul de Lam-

Communion Easton Neston Church, Northamptonshire.


LIST OF MARKS. maker's mabk.

RB

in oblong.

DATE.

JRichard 1735

F

pellet between ters in oblong. I

F

OWNER.

Communion Bread

Moulton Church, North-

Holder.

Baijley. I

257

let-

1735

amptonshire.

Communion Cup, Paten Overston Church, and Flagon.

1736

in oblong.

Northamptonshire.

Communion Paten and Kelmarsh Church, Cover for Cup.

T

1736

R G C

Northamptonshire.

Communion Flagon.

Warmington Church, Northamptonshire.

in quatrefoil. Richard Gurney dt Co.

CC

in oblong with cor- 1737 off. Claris

ners cut Christian.

Openwork Sugar Bowl, Salt

Cellar

H. Walter, Esq.

J.

and De-

canter Stand.

TF

beneath fleur de 1737 Three Communion Alms West Ham Church, Esand above mullet, sex. Dishes. in shaped stamp.

lys

Thomas

ffarer.

S S crowned

with line 1737 Communion Cup between letters in Cover Paten. shaped shield.

S

pellet between letters in dotted ellipse.

I

1737

and Harpole Church, North amptonshire.

Two Communion Cups, two Patens, Flagons and Spoon.

three

TF

mullet above and 1737 below in shaped shield.

Communion two

and

Cup

Patens,

silver

gilt.

EF

pellet between letters in oblong stamp,

I

1737

Large

silver gilt Salt.

R

beneath sun in splen- 1738 Silver gilt Paten. pellet between letters in shaped stamp.

Communion

above pellet in shaped shield.

1738 Silver gilt

Church, Crip,

plegate. City of Lon-

don. St.

Olave's

Hart

Church,

Street,

City of

London.

The Marquis Little

of Exeter.

Baddow Church

PJssex.

dour,

DW

St. Giles's

Communion

Paten and Alms Dish.

St.

Margaret Pattens'

Church, City of London.

W G script

letters in

ir-

1739

Communion Cup.

regular outline.

TW

script letters in

ir-

1739

Communion Flagon.

Great Warley Church, Essex. Little

Baddow Church.

Essex.

regular outline.

Thomas Whipham. I

S

in circular stamp.

RA

1739

pellet between let- 1740 ters in circles joined.

Robert Abercromby. .

Communion Paten.

Cowley Church, Middlesex.

Communion Paten.

Great Houghton Church, Northamptonshire.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

2';8

maker's mask.

RB

DATE,

in 1740

letters

script quatrefoil.

script letters

crowned

All Saints' Church,

Northamptonshire.

TT. RG

Communion Cup.

1740 Pair of Vases and Covers.

Goldsmiths' Company,

1740

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

London.

Tankard.

.

RL

1741

in rectangular stamp.

Communion Flagon.

Little

Waltham Church,

Essex. 1741

Silver

Communion

gilt

St.

Michael's

Wood

Flagon.

Church

Street, City of

London.

HP

beneath

triangle

1741

Communion Paten.

and above cinquefoil in cross I

I

R

S

1741 in 1742

letters shield.

script

shaped

Mildred's

Church,

Bread Street, City London.

shaped stamp.

beneath mullet.

St.

of

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

Salver.

Communion Paten.

Chipping Church.

Warden Northamp-

tonshire.

TW WW

1742

Two

silver

munion

gilt

Com-

Cups

and

St.

Sepulchre's Church, City of Tx>ndon.

Covers.

DC

beneath

fleur

de 1742

plain shield. Daniel Chartier.

CH

Two Communion ons

in

lys

and

two

Alms

Dishes.

Large Tray.

H. A. Attenborough,

Communion Flagon.

Childerditch Church, Essex.

beneath crown and 1742

pellet in shaped stamp.

W W a cinquefoil above and another below

C h u r c h, Northamptonshire.

Flag- Dayentry

Esq.

1743

in

ellipse.

TW

script letters irregular oblong.

Beaker.

in 1743

Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Thomas Whipham.

NS

beneath mullet.

HB

script quatrefoil.

letters ?

in 1743

Windsor

Pair of Dishes.

1743

Communion Flagon.

Henry

Castle.

Cogenhoe Church, Northamptonshire.

Brind.

SP

script letters in ir- 1743 Silver

gilt

Cup and

regular outline.

BP

1743

Two

silver

Communion

gilt

munion Patens. I

S

letters shield.

script

shaped

in

1743

Communion Paten.

Cup

St.

Margaret Pattens'

Church, City of London.

Cover.

Com-

St.

Sepulchre's Church, City of London.

and Heston Church, Middlesex.


LIST OF MARKS.

259

MAKER'S MARK.

I

R

in 1744

letters

script

shaped

Communion Paten.

Norton

John

/

sliield.

Church,

Northamptonshire.

Itobinson.

M

H PL

script letters.

script letters

crowned above

1744

Cake Basket.

1744

Tea Caddy.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

H. A. Attenbnrough, Esq.

pellet.

HP

above mullet in 1745 Humshaped shield, phrey Payne.

Communion Flagon.

i'

WW

cinquefoil

above 1746

and another below in elliptical

Norton Church, Northamptonshire.

Communion Paten and Sunbury Church, Middlesex.

Flagon.

stamp.

PT

beneath a cup in 1748 C o m m u n i o n Paten, Eydon Church, and Alms amptonshire. Flagon shaped outline. reter\

North-

Dish.

Taylor.

j

I

EG

above

pellet audi 1749 below in lozenge. Eliz-t

abeth Godfrey.

St. John's College,

Candlestick.

Cam-

bridge.

I

circa

A column between two

j

1750

Communion Flagon.

Marliam Church, North-

Six Beadle's Staves.

St.

pellets in plain shield

amptonshire. ctrca

J

B

in iilain shield.

1750

James's

Ch

Piccadilly,

u

r c h,

County

of

London.

Dh

beneath

Jesus College,

Salt.

del 1751

fleur

Cam-

bridge.

F

W

in irregular ob- 1751 long. Fuller White,

Communion Cup, Cover King's

Cliffe Church, Northamptonshire.

Paten and Flagon.

j

SW

J.

Cruet.

script letters with 1751 pellet between in irre-: gular outline.

H. Walter, Esq.

|

Capital iieath

letter

W

he-

some object

1752

Communion

Cup

and

Paten.

in!

EC

in irregular stamp. 1752 Ebenezer Coker. I

P

i d d 1 e t o n Cheney NorthampChurch,

tonshire.

circle.

EF

M

script letters.

script

letters

be-

Brentford Church, Mid-

Spoon.

dlesex.

1752

Two-handled Cup.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

1752

Oval Dish.

Sunbury Church, Mid-

neath pellet in shaped shield. Edward Fe-

dlesex.

line.

WC

in

oblong.

Wil- 1753

liam Crijyps,

TW

script letters in ir- 1754

regular oblong.

Communion

Cup

and Daventry

Cover Paten.

Two-handled Porringer.

Church,

Northamptonshire.

Mr. Whitmore.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

26o

MAKEK

MARK.

S

HH

in

linked letters plain shield.

1754 Silver

Pineapple The Marquis of Exeter,

gilt

Cup.

J R beneath mullet.

1754

Jesus College,

Jug.

Cam-

bridge.

MF

WG

Two

1754

script letters.

Earl

of Stamford Warrington.

Caddies.

R. T. Frere, Esq.

Plain Tumbler.

1754 circa

W w s

1755

Communion

basin.

Sudborough Church, Northamptonshire.

p

in

and

William William

quatrefoil.

Shaw

(b

Priest.

PB S

1755

Milk Pot.

1756

Tankard.

W. Holburne.

Sir T.

Mr. Robinson.

I

S with cross in centre in quatrefoil. circa

WW

in

monogram

in

1756

Communion Paten.

1756

Engraved Tea Kettle.

T

1756

Pair Butter Boats.

G FG

fort,

RT R

G

1757 Silver

in rectangular

stamp.

RC

gilt

1757

Two

Communion Chelmsford Church, I

silver

beneath

pellet

in 1757

gilt

j

Communion Flagon.

in oblong stamp.

R

I

in oblong.

in rectangular

Edmund

the

King

and Mart3-r Church, City of London.

Gayton Church, Northamptonshire.

1757

1757

Communion Cup.

Communion

Cup

1758

George's Church, Botolph Lane, City of London.

I

Four Beadles' Staves.

stamp.

St.

and' Dallington Church,

Cover Paten.

WC

Es-

sex.

Com-! St.

plain shield.

CG

Gardner, Esq

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford,

Cup.

in oblong stamp.

Middlesex.

Dunn

J.

munion Cups.

NS

Mary's Church, Bed

St.

plain stamp.

Northamptonshire. St.

Margaret's Church, Westminster, County London.

of

TH P

crowned.

script letters in outline.

1758 1758

Ewer.

Communion

Cup

Cover Paten.

O. E. Coope, Esq.

and Wold Church, Northamptonshire.


LIST OF MARKS.

261

makeb's mark.

SC

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford

Coffee Pot.

be- 1758

letters

script

neath sun. 1759

Spoon.

Queen's College, Cam-

1759

Bread Basket.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford

1760

Cream Jug.

Queen's College, Cam-

1760

Candlestick.

Clare College, Cam-

bridge.

W P script PP

beneath

letters.

star.

JPezc

Pillean.

WC

bridge.

gothic

neath

letters

be-

William

pellet.

bridge.

Cafe.

BR

pellet between let- 1760 ters in square stamp.

Communion Paten.

1761 Pair of Coronation Salvers.

BB

pellet between letters in oblong with

I

S

of

Large Tankard.

1761

Lady Willoughby de Eresby. Prof. Clifford Allbut.

off.

scriiit letters in

ob- 1761

Communion Alms

Dish. Arthingworth Church,

Northamptonshire.

long.

WT

in an border. I

Church,

London.

crowned.

corners cut

John's

Wapping, County

Itichard Rugg.

TH

St.

John

C.

engrailed 1762

Queen's College, Cam-

Spoon.

bridge. Cartel'.

St. John's College,

Candlestick.

1762

Cam-

bridge.

J

S

in oval stamp. Swift.

FG

John 1762

The

late Mr. Cockerill.

Beaker.

Alderman

in oblong.

1762

Communion Flagon.

Great Oakley Church, Northamptonshire.

Pierre GUlois.

1763

Three Tea Caddies.

Clare College,

Cam-

bridge.

J S.

John Smith.

1763

J. E. L.

Stoup.

Whitehead,

Esq.

WM

interwoven. liam Mackenzie.

Wil-

gilt Communion Private Chapel, Althorp House, NorthamptonCup and Cover Paten.

1763 Silver

shire.

T in ellipse.

C

1763

W W

Two

silver

gilt

Com-

munion Cups.

St.

Dunstan

in the

West

Church, City of London.

Whipham &

Wright.

WS

in

ellipse.

liam Shaw.

Wil- 1763

Communion Flagon.

Byfield Church,

amptonshire.

North,


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

262

MAKER

S

MARK.

R

Four

1764

D H H

J. E. L.

Salts.

Whitehead,

Esq.

Dai-idd-BobeitHennell.

RR

pellet between letters in oblong. Bich-

1764

Communion Paten.

1764

Beadle's Staff.

Malsor Church, Northamptonshire.

Thorp

ard BiigO'

W G script

letters in ir-

regular oiitline. lium Grundy.

K

1765

script letters in out-

1765

Tea Kettle.

script letters.

RP N

F

Lord Bateman.

Two Communion Cups Paulerspury Church, and Cover Patens.

line.

SA

Church, Covent Garden, County of

London.

crowned.

I

P

I

St. Paul's

TT'i?-

Northamptonshire.

1765

Tankard.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

1766

Pepper Caster.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

Two-handled Cup.

Mrs. Brown.

Coffee Pot.

Brett Collection.

black letters in ob- 1766

long stamp.

WG AR

script letters.

linked letters in

1767 1767 Silver

WK CW

standing The Marquis of Exeter,

gilt

Cup.

shaijed stamp.

script letters.

in rectangular

Milk Jug.

1768 1769 1

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

Two Communion Cups

St.

Church

Dionis's

Parson's

and Cover Patens.

stamp.

Fulham,

Green,

County

of

Ix)ndon. I

L

between and 1769

pellet

Communion Cup.

annulet above letters in shaped stamp.

EG

amptonshire.

LC

1769

Candlestick.

in rectangular

1769

Communion Flagon.

Charles 1770

Communion Flagon.

GC

Upton Church, North-

Queen's College, Cambridge.

stamp.

A n n e's C h u r c h Limehouse, County of

St.

London

C

W

in oblong.

Wricfht

G

BG

M

script letters in el-

lipse.

Broughton

Church,

Northamptonshire. I

J

.

1770 1770

John Gorham.

Cup

between let- 1770 Two silver gilt ters and beneath four munion Cups. hearts in lobed stamp. I

c

mullet between letters in square stamp.

and Wicken Church, North-

Cover Paten.

TJellet

SC

G. Moffatt, Esq.

Cup.

Communion

1770

Dish.

amptonshire.

Com-

St.

John's Church,

Hampstead,

County

of Ijondon.

All Saints' Church, Fulham, County of Lon-

don.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

WG

MARK.

S

263

OWNER.

ARTICLE.

in oblong stamp.

1771

Four

All Hallow's

Plates.

Church,

Tx)mbard Street, City of London. I

K

between

pellet

in

1771

Communion Flagon.

Helmdon Church, North amptonshire

plain shield.

RR

pellet between letters in rectangular

1771

.

Communion Salver Pa- Feltham Church, Middlesex.

ten.

stamp.

WP.

Waiiam Plum-

1772

Fish

1772

Communion Alms

Slice.

Trinity Hall, bridge.

vie r.

W G script

letters in ir-

I

E

a s

t

o n-on-the-Hill

Church,

Northamp-

tonshire.

James Young.

Y.

Dish.

Wil-

regular outline. liam Grundy.

Cam-

Cup and Cover.

1772

TA

script letters crowned in lobed

1773

Two

silver

gilt

Peterhouse, Cambridge

Alms Ealing Church, Middlesex.

Dishes.

stamp.

CC TP

letters

script

in

Pair of Sugar Baskets.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

1773

Communion Bread

Cottingham Church,

Thomas

plain oblong. Powell.

V in rectangular stamp.

L

1773

R

Holder.

1773

1773

D S

Communion Bread Holder.

S in

Communion Paten.

Northamptonshire.

Anne's C h u r c Limehouse, County London.

h, of

St.

C h u r c h, Northamptonsh're.

Syresham

Daniel Bohert

quatrefoil.

Smith

(Jc

Sharp.

AB LD

in square stamp.

Ahra-

lunn Barrier

Louis

&

1773

Silver gilt Spoon.

1773

Salver.

Michael's Church H^ghgate, County of London.

St.

Dumcommier.

RR I

R

pellet above and be- 1773 low in diamond shaped stamp.

CW

1774

Silver Fire Irons.

Cup and Cover.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

The Marquis

of

Exeter

Queen's College, Cambridge.

C

in rectangular

1774

Silver gilt Spoon.

St.

George's

Church

Bloomsbury, of London.

stamp.

I

W

1774

Plain Tumbler.

County

R. T. Frere, Esq.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

264

MAKER

3VURK.

S

I

P

1775 Silver

FW

gilt

C!ommunion Leyton Church, Essex.

Cup and Cover.

beneath feathers in shaped stamp. I

C

beneath

in

1775

let-

1775

pellet

Communion Alms

Dish.

circle.

WF

Great Brington Church, Northamptonshire .

pellet between

Communion Paten.

Harlington Church, Middlesex.

ters in rectangular

Walter

stamp. Tweeclie.

R

1775

in quatrefoil.

I

Communion Paten.

Stow-nine-Churches Church, Northamptonshire.

8M

1775

W WT

1776 Standing

I

John

Four Salt

Cellars.

Cup

and

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. St.

Cover

&

Wakelin

John's College, Cam-

bridge.

Wil-

liam Taylor.

F

W in oblong.

Thomas 1776 Communion Cover Pa- E ten.

Wright.

a

s

t o n-on-the-Hill

Church, Northamptonshire.

circa

J S mullet between ters in lobed

let-

HS

Beadle's

1776 Silver

in rectangular stamp.

I

1776

gilt

in rectangular 1776 Silver gilt stamp. John Carter. Paten.

S

script letters.

W G script

Communion

Flagon and Paten.

C

I

Staff.

stamp.

St.

Mar y's Church,

Marylebone, of London. St.

County

M ary's Chu r ch,

Marylebone, of London.

County

Pair of Butter Boats.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford

1776

Coffee Pot.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford

1777

Bedroom Candlestick.

1777

Urn.

1776

letters.

Communion

Anne's Church, Limehouse, County of London.

St.

The Marquis

of

Exeter

in plain shield.

WH

St.

John's College, Cam-

bridge.

E F

script

neath

J

A

letters

be- 1777

Candlestick.

pellet.

Cambridge.

in rectangular

1777

Communion Paten.

stamp.

Little

Baddow Church,

Essex.

RM

1777 Silver

RC

in square stamp.

Makepeace Carter.

St. Catharine's College,

&

gilt

Communion

Flagon and Paten. Robert llichanl

St.

Mary's Church,

Marylebone, of London.

County


LIST OF maker's mark.

MARKS

265


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

266

MAKER

HB

S

MARK.

Two

in 17&4

letters

script

silver gilt Dishes.

St.

shaped stamp. Hester

ID RG

1784

Two-handled Cup.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

Small Mug.

Major C. A. Markham.

in 1784

letters

script

John the Evangelist'

Church, Westminster, County of London.

Bateman.

shaped stamp.

RH

in oval, Ilennell.

lioheit

Pembroke

Snuffer's Tray.

1785

College,

Cam-

bridge.

W WT

Communion Cup.

1785

I

Chiswick Church, County of Middlesex.

above three ostrich feathers in shaiied

stamp. John Wakelin and William Taylor.

BL

dot between letters 1785 Four Communion Dishes. Benjamin Laver.

ChiswickChurch, County of Middlesex.

i

in rectangular stamp.

RC

dot between letters in rectangular stamp. Bichanl Crossley. i

&

P

Co.

1785

Spoon.

1786

Candlestick.

ChiswickChurch, County of Middlesex.

St. .John's College,

Cam-

bridge.

HC

in ellipse.

Henry 1786 Communion Bread

Chawner. Bundell I

C

dt

Bridge.

between

pellet

Harpole Church, North-

Holder.

let-

amptonshire.

1786 Pair of Cups with Ivory Plaques. 1786

Wine

1787'

Communion Alms

Windsor

Strainer Funnel.

Major C. A. Markham,

ters.

W F script long

S

letters in ob-

in rectangular stamp.

MA

Morton Pinkney Church,

Dish.

William Eley.

M

crowned above

Castle.

Northamptonshire. 1787

Two Communion Cups. Feltham Church, Mkldlesex.

1787

Water Jug.

The Marquis

of Exeter.

cinquefoil.

WS

in oval.

1788

Sugar

Jesus College, Cam-

Sifter.

bridge.

HC

in oblong.

1788

Vase and Cover.

I

Pembroke

College,

Cam-

bridge. I

K

in

oblong.

John 1788

Communion Flagon,

j

King. I

MN RG PB

1788

1788

Four Salt

Cellars.

Teapot.

Syrosham

Church,

Northamptonshire. Ijord

Bateman.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.


LIST OF MARKS. MAKER

267

MARK.

S

ctrca

1789

Beadle's Staff.

T B

St.

e in

don.

quatrefoil. Timhrell.

HB

Bohert

letters

script

in 1789

shaped stamp. Hester

Silver

gilt

Communion

St. Paul's

Church, Cov-

ent Garden, County of

Cup.

Bateman.

HG

John's Church, Wap-

ping. County of Lon-

London.

in rectangular

1789

Four Beadles' Staves.

St.

Clement D a n e's County of

Church, London.

stamp.

TP

1790

ER

Communion Flagon and Wanstoad Church, two Cups.

Es-

sex.

in square stamp. I

S

in

kidney

stamp.

shaped 1790 Two

GS

1790

WF

Communion

Pa-

Wan.stead

Church,

Es-

Church,

Es-

Church,

Es-

sex.

tens.

JohnScofield.

Communion Spoon.

Wanstead sex.

in rectangular stamp.

RH

in circular stamp.

1790

Oval Tray for Spoon.

Wan.stead sex.

AP

1791

Salt.

Jesus College,

Cam-

bridge.

DD

in rectangular stamp.

1791

Two

Beadles' Staves.

St. Abbot's Church, Kensington

Mary of

County

WP J

1791

P

Oval Tray.

London.

Feltham Church,

Mid-

dlesex.

stamp. William ci- Joseph Preedy.

in plain

Plafts

HC

in elliptical

stamp. 1792

TR HC

in oblong stamp.

Baptismal Bowl.

1792

Candlestick.

1793

Snuffer's Tray^

St.

Margaret's Church, Westminster, County of London.

Dr. and Mrs. Ashford.

Pembroke

College,

Cam-

bridge. I

S.

John

Schofield.

1793

Candlestick.

Queen's

College,

Cam-

bridge.

WT

pellet between letters in rectangular

1793

Spoon.

stami).

MP

1794

Fish

Slice.

Church, Hammersmith, County of London.

St. Paul's

Queen's bridge.

College,

Cam-


HALL MARKS ON PLATE

268

maker's, mark.


SPOON MAKERS' MARKS.

269

SPOON MAKERS' MARKS. On Spoons

in

the Collections of the Rev. T. Staniforth,

Dr. Ashford, and R. Temple Frere, Esq. S Staniforth

makkk's MAHK.

;

A

Ashford

;

F

Frere.


2/0 maker's MABK.

HALL MARKS ON PLATE.


SPOON MAKERS' MARKS. MAKER

S

DATF.S

MARK.

1 .M

In monogram

j

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

H.S

271

ACCOUUIXO TO THK

LETTF.ES.

1683. 1683.

1

J.C

W

M

Crowned, crescent and

\

below

i^ellets

Crowned

<

1684.

1685, 1688.

D.A

1686. j

R.M C

I

W

L.C

In a square

1691.

One above

1691.

Crowned, crescent and

'

S.W

jS

WS

iW

Y),Q

I

above

pellets

.

.

W

above S

1696. .

5 Q

A S A

Alone

Demi

1697, 1704. 1699, 1702, 1704, 1713, 1715.

.

1701. 1706.

lion

above

1712. 1734.

I.S Scrip

G

.

letters

Scrip, crowned, on oval escutcheon

S

1696.

.

ornamental shield /^(pcf' Scrip, crowned,

Roman

1693. 1695, 1690.

In a lozenge.

In

.

1764.

S

1781.

C H

1781.

Scrip

1784.

Scrip

1785.

19



PROVINCIAL ASSAY OFFICES.



^Pro&iutml Hssau

fRcts.

seven towns appointed by the Act 2 Henry VI (1423) were York, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Norwich, Lincoln, Bristol, Coventry and Salisbury, where mints had already been established, and most The town of them had guilds or fraternities previously existing. marks of the first three have been identified, but as nothing is known " " of the touches or town marks of any of the remaining four, they not avail themselves of the privilege of assaying and probably did or if they did, few or no traces have been discovered marking plate, of their doings or the marks they adopted. By the Act 12 & 13 William III (i/Oo), York, Bristol and Norwich, and in 170 1-2 Newcastle-upon-Tyne, were reappointed, with the addition of Exeter and Chester, in which two last-named towns mints had then lately been appointed for coining the silver monies of the kingdom Coventry, Salisbury and Lincoln having then evidently ceased working. Bristol and Norwich, if they ever did exercise the privilege, must have ceased shortly after as we have no evidence of their having assayed plate since 1700.

The

THE HALL MARKS OF ASSAY TOWNS. London. A leopard's head crowned (the ordinances of the 1. Goldsmiths' Company of 1336, and subsequent Acts of Parliament). Since 1823 the leopard's head not crowned. York. Five lions on a cross (discontinued). 2. Exeter. A castle with three towers (discontinued). 3. Chester. Now the mark is a dagger between three wheat 4. sheaves, but before 1779 the shield of the city arms was three demilions and a wheat sheaf on a shield, and a small quartering above the sheaf. 5.

^

6. 7. 8.

Norwich. A castle and lion passant (discontinued). Newcastle. Three castles (discontinued). Sheffield. A crown. Biraiingham. An anchor.

BARNSTABLE.

A this

initials I. P., manufactured a middle of the seventeenth century.

maker, using the

town

in the

little

plate at


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

2/6

BIRMINGHAM. It appears that previous to the middle of the eighteenth century, the silversmiths of Birmingham were in the habit of sending their wares to London and Chester to be assayed. This method of dealing with articles for assay, proving very unsatisfactory, the Birmingham plateworkers in February, 1773, presented a petition to the House of Commons, for leave to bring in a Bill to establish an Assimilar petition was also presented by say Office at Birmingham. the silversmiths of Sheffield, at the same time. The result of the petitions was that, during the same year, the Statute of 13 George

A

III, cap. 52,

was passed.

This Act commences

:

"

Whereas the Silver /miths and Plate-workers in and about the Town of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, and in and about the Town of Sheffield, in the County of Y ork, are under great Difficulties and Hard /hips in the Exerci/e of their Trades, for want of A//ayers in convenient Places to a//ay and touch their Wrought Plate."

Therefore this Act was passed for the appointment of Wardens and Assay Masters for assaying and stamping wrought silver plate, in the Towns of Birmingham and Sheffield; and for appointing for each of these Towns a number of Noblemen, Gentlemen and workers, to be known by the names of "The Guardians of the Standard of Wrought Plate," within such towns. The Act provides that silver goods "/hall be marked as followeth; that is to /ay, with the mark of the Worker or Maker thereof, which shall be the Fir/t Letters of his Chri/tian and Surname; and al/o with the Lion Pa//ant, and with the Mark of the Company within who/e A//ay Office /uch Plate /hall be a//ayed and marked, to denote the goodne/s thereof, and the Place where the /ame was a//ayed and marked and al/o ;

with a di/tinct variable Mark or Letter which Letter or Mark /hall be annually changed upon the Election of new Wardens of each Year in which /uch Plate is marked." And it Company, to denote the was further enacted " That the peculiar Marks of the /aid Companies, directed to be u/ed as above/aid, /hall be as follows that is to /ay, for the Birmingham Company, an Anchor; and for the The Chief Officer of the Company is Sheffield Company, a Crown." known as the Assay Master and is responsible to two authorities; first to the Guardians of the Company, by whom he is appointed; and secondly to the Master of His Majesty's Mint, before whom he is bound, with two sureties, under the penalty of five hundred pounds for the faithful execution of his office, and for the payment of any fines inflicted on him for negligence or fraud, and also for ap;

;

pearing at the Mint annually and verifying his proceeding and diet box. This verification does not apply to the Assay Offices of ChesThe Act assigns to the Guarter, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Dublin. dians the duty of providing a suitable place for assaying and stamping the silver ware; of appointing an able and skilful person


BIRMINGHAM.

277

as Assay Master; of electing annually four persons as wardens; and of making by-laws, rules and orders for the management of the Assay Office. The duties and obligations of the Assay Master and Wardens are set out in the Act, and in the Oaths, which they are obliged to take before entering on their duties. In the Parliamentary inquiry on the subject of Hall Marks and Plate in 1856, it appeared that no other offices but Birmingham and Sheffield had ever within living memory sent up their diet boxes to be tested, being only liable when required to do so. In the Parliamentary inquiry of 1879, it was expressly urged that the whole of the Assay Offices should be placed under the direct supervision of the Mint, so that uniform standard of quality should be guaranteed.

At Birmingham the selection of the variable letter, which is directed to be changed with the annual election of the wardens in July, is not confided to any officers, but the custom has been to take the letters in alphabetical order A.D. 1824. Power was given to the Com5 George IV, c. 52. pany at Birmingham to assay gold as well as silver, and their marks are the same as London, except that the anchor is substituted for the leopard's head. (Local and Personal Act.)

By the abov^e-named Act of 1773, both the officers of Birmingham and Sheffield had jurisdiction to assay and mark all plate made within twenty miles of those towns. By the 17 and 18 Victoria, cap. 96, all workers or dealers in plate were authorised to register their marks at any assay office legally established which

they might select. The following is the present form of the anchor and of the lion passant, which is not guardant :

The Birmingham assay mark under the Orders in Council of 1904 and 1906 for foreign plate is for gold :

(Equilateral Triangle.)


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

2/8

And

We

for silver

:

are indebted to Mr. Arthur Westwood, the Assay Master of the Birmingham Company, for kindly furnishing us with impressions of the date letters and standard marks now used at this city and for much other helpful information.


BIRMINGHA]\I ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS.



BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE

282

BRLSTOL. Bristol may, perhaps, have had an office, for there were several silversmiths there, who afterwards sent their goods to Exeter to be

assayed. It is not, however, by any means certain that the right of assay v/as ever exercised at this city although it was appointed as an assay office in 1423, and reappointed in 1700. Indeed though we have ;

inquired from a leading silversmith at Bristol, trace

we have

failed to

local silver.

any There is a cup on a stem, ornamented with punched diamond pattern, which from the inscription appears to have been made in this town, although it bears no hall mark. It is late sixteenth century

work

:

f

In the possession of Sir A. H. Elton, Bart.

I

]

I

From Mendep Out

I

was brought,

of a leden mine In Bristol I was wrought, And now am silver fine." ;

There are some interesting pieces of plate preserved by the Corporation of Bristol, especially a pair of gilt tankards richly decorated, the gift of John Dodridge, Recorder of Bristol, 1658, and a These were both gilt ewer and salver, the gift of Robert Kitchen. assayed and marked in London. The salver made in 1595 was stolen during the Bristol riots in October, 1831, and was cut up into one hundred and sixty-seven pieces, in which state it was offered for sale to a silversmith of the town, who apprehended the thief, and he was sentenced to fourteen years' transportation. The pieces were riveted together on a silver plate by the same silversmith, in which state it now remains, its history being recorded on the back. A State sword, bearing date 1483, ornamented and enamelled, is also preserved; on one of the mounts are the arms of Bristol. These are: Gules, on a mount in the sinister base vert on the sinister side a castle zi'ith two towers domed on each a pennon all argent, the dexter base barry wavy of six argent and azure, thereon a ship with three masts sailing from behind the castle or the fore attd main masts in sight sable on each two sails of the second. Also two unicorns as supporters, and the crest on a wreath two arms, one holding a serpent and the other a pair of scales, as on the seal of the corporation.


CHESTER ASSAY OFFICE.

283

CHESTER. It appears by the record of Domesday, that in the reign of Edward the Confessor there were seven Mint Masters in Chester. In the reign of Charles I much of the silver was coined here, and in that of William III it was one of the six cities in which mints were

established for recoining the silver of the kingdom. The mint-mark of Chester on the half-crowns of Charles I struck in 1645 is three gerbes or wheat sheaves. have no record of the time when Chester first commenced assaying plate; it is not mentioned in the statute of the 2nd Henry IV (A.D. 1423), but an office must have been established early in the An old minute-book contains an entry some time sixteenth century. prior to 1573, directing "that noe brother shall delevre noe plate by him wrought unles his touche be marked and set upon the same before deliverie thereof, upon paine of forfeiture of everie diffalt also quote the followto be levied out of his goods iij^ iiij'\" ing, which may interest some of our readers Yt is concluded "Md. the viij day of March in Anno 1603 and agreyed by the whole Compeney of the Gouldsmyths y* this Order shall be houlden and kept amongst us all, that the brood

We

We

:

Arrowes agaynst Shroivftid^^ shall way everie one vj'^ stalling and everie on of the Compeney shall not sell vnder ix'^ and for everie on that selles vnder ix'^ shall fforfyt xij'\ And yt is ffourther agreyed that the Steward for y* time shall come and sey them wayd and And to have ffor his paynes ij'^ a duzen, and for the touchte. perfformance of thise order we have subscribed our names. At that time beinge Alderman and Steward of

y*^

said

Compeney of

the

Gouldsmyths. " It is agreed by the consent of the Aldermen and Steward of the Gouldsmiths that who soe ever shall make the bell that shalbe * This allusion to the "broad arrov.s against Shrovetide" refers to an ancient custom at Chester of holding shooting and running matches for prizes of silver broad arrows every Shrove Tuesday. These arrows (in sheaves of six in each quiver) were given by the Shoemakers' Company, ajid by all newly married couples, as homages to the Drapers' Company. The homage of the Saddlers' Company was a silver bell, to be given to the owner of the swiftest horse in a race on the same day. In the Collection of the Corporation of Carlisle are a pair of s.ilver racing bells. One bears the date 1599; the other has a band inscribed with this rude distich :

" THE SWEFTES HOKSE THIS BELL TO T.\KE FOR MY LADE D.\KBR S.\KE."

were frequently given as racing prizes hence the phrase, " to bear away Camden, under the head of Yorkshire, mentions " a solemne horse running, in which the horse that outrunneth the rest hath for his prize a little golden bell." That was in the days of James I. The well-known nursery rhyme also alludes to the custom, when children are being started for Bells

;

the bell."

a race

:

At the word

''

" Bell horses. Bell horses, what time o' day. One o'clock, two o'clock, three and away." " away they commence the start.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

284

made

against Shrovetide ffor the Sadlers shall have for his paines and yf any of the Compeney shall offend in the premisses, he shall pay unto the Alderman and Steward and the reste of the iij* iiij*^,

Compeney

being,

Compeney

y* all the oulde bells shalbe broke and not any of the to by any to be new burnished or sould to the peneltie

"And

aforesaid

iij^ iiij'^.

iij* iiij*^."

The arms of

Chester, granted in 1580, were, party per pale, composed of the dexter half of the coat of England, Gules, three lions passant gnardant in pale, or, dimidiating, azure, three garbs or, for Blundeville, Earl of Chester. The crest is, on a wreath or, gules, and azure, over a royal helmet, a sword of State erect with the point upwards. The supporters are on the dexter side, a lion rampant or, ducally gorged argent ; on the sinister side, a wolf argent ducally gorged or. The grant mentions the antiquity of the city, and that the ancient arms were nearly lost by time and negligence, and that the coat which the citizens claimed was deficient in crest and supThe hall marks on plate were the arms of the city, a sword porters. In 1701, the erect between three wheat-sheaves, down to 1697. shield adopted was three demi-lions with three wheatsheaves also dimidiated, wh'ch was again changed about 1775 to the more simple shield above described, without the demi-lions, etc., still in use. The following extracts from the books of the Chester Goldsmiths' Company are all we can find relating to the Hall marks, commencing in the year following the date of the Charter from King

James

II in 1685.

And it is further concluded that the 1st. Warden's marks shall De the Coat and Crest of the Citty of Chester on two punsons with a let-

1686.

Feb.

1687.

Paid for ye tuches engraving Paid for ye three punsons ... June 2nd. On the same day the letter was changed from A to B, and so to continue for one year Paid for a punson and engraving the April.

....

ter for the year. .

1690.

1692.

letter

1692. 1694. 1697.

C

.

.

.

.

.

.

.......

Paid Mr. Bullen for copperplate punson Paid Mr. Bullen for a new letter punson Paid for the punson and carriage Novr.

.

.

12'

o

o

00

6

o

01

6

and

.

These extracts prove that the Goldsmiths' Company at Chester assayed and stamped plate with three marks the arms of the city, the crest, and the date letter before 1701 the maker's mark being ;

set

upon the plate before

it

was delivered

into the

Assay

Office,

upon

pain of forfeiture, as ordained. There is no plate preserved by the Corporation of Chester of an earlier date than the latter half of the seventeenth century. The three tankards, two flagons, ewer and tobacco-box which \ve have



Chester Assay Office.

Old Copper Plate

Register of Makers' Marks.

Circa 1701 to 1726.


CHESTER ASSAY OFFICE.

285

presented and made between the years 1668 and 1685, being previous to the Charter of James II granted in These were all 1685-6, which took effect in the year following. " given by the assayed and stamped in London. The city mace, Earl of Derby, Lord of Man and the Isles, Maior 1668," bears two stamps nearly effaced, of a maker's mark and the city arms. At the same time the Earl presented a very handsome state sword. writer, describing the ruinous state cf Chester immediately " after the siege, says Thus of the most anchante and famous Citie of Chester in times past; mark the ruins of it at present, viz. within these three years, 1643, 1644, 1645, the particular demolitions of it

examined were

all

all

A

:

:

now most tants "

The

all

grievous to the spectator and more woeful to the inhabiAfter describing the devastations he continues drawing dry of the Cittie stockes, plate, rentes and collections, thereoff."

which

the least."

:

losses will

amount

(MS. volume

ing this graphic account, ancient plate at Chester.

An

to

two hundred thousand pounds at quoted by Lysons.) After read-

at Stowe,

we need not be

interesting copperplate

is

surprised at the absence of

preserved in the

and

office,

is

per-

haps that mentioned in the cash-book of November, 1692 "Paid Mr. Bullen for a copperplate and punson 4^" It contains principally the maker's marks, which consisted of the first two letters of the surname, and on and after 1720 the initials of Christian and surname. It has also the Roman capital date letters on square stamps used in the cycle commencing 1701, and those of other cycles of a later date, but not arranged in order The other stamps are struck promiscuously on the plate, for the purpose of proving them, as well :

as for reference. In 1773, the Members of the Company Watchmakers of the City of Chester were

of Goldsmiths and

:

Mr. Joseph EJuke, Silversmith. George Walker, do. John Scascbrick, Jeweller, Assayer. Gabriel Smith, Watchmaker. Thomas Brown, do. Robert Cowley, do. Tohn Richardson a j Apprenticed Thomas Duke i.-

)

T

r^

i.

to

c-i

-^i

Silversmiths,

out 01 business.

^

^

but

) James Conway The names and places of abode of goldsmiths, silversmiths and plate-workers fthen living, 1773), who had entered their names and marks in the Assay Office at Chester, were Messrs. George Walker, Chester. John Gimlet, Birmingham. William Pemberton, do. Ralph Wakefield, Liverpool. Richard Richardson, do. Joseph Walley, do. Christian Thyme, do. Jas. Dixon, do. William Hardwick, Manchester. Ralph Walker, do.

T. Prichard, Shrewsbury. Geo. Smith, Warrington. Gimble & Vale, Birmingham.

Fisher, do.

Wyke & T. Green, Bolton & Fothergill.

J.

do.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

286

Chester was reappointed by the Act 12th William III (1700), is regulated by that Act and the Act of 12th George II. The variable letter was changed annually on July 5, from 1701 until 1839; it was then changed on August 5 until 1890; since which time the change has been made annually on July i. Chester has, since 1889, voluntarily submitted its diet for assay at the Mint, at the same time as the Birmingham and Sheffield diets

and

are verified.

The following

The and 1906

is

the present form of the Chester

mark

:

Chester assay marks under the Orders in Council of 1904 for foreign plate is for gold :

(Acorn and two leaves.) /'

and

for silver

We

must here express our thanks to the late Assay Master, Mr. Foulkes Lowe, B.A., for his persevering kindness, not only in searching the records and furnishing extracts, but in obtaining impressions of ancient plate and affording much valuable information on the subject, which has enabled us to give a Table of the Assay Letters used at Chester from 1701 to the present time. In this task he was ably assisted by Mr. Thos. Hughes, F.S.A., the indefatigable Secretary of the Chester Archaeological Society. Mr. W. F. Lowe, the present Assay Master, has been good enough to enable us to complete the notes relating to Chester. Jas.


CHESTER

z\SSAY OFFICE LETTERS.

20


CHESTER ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE

CYCLE

1. Black Lkttkr Capitals.

CHAS. II.&JAS.lI Charles

& MARY. & WILL. III.

WILL.

SI

C

1666-7

1691-2

20

1667-8

1692-3

f

1669-70 1670-1

m

1694-5

IE

m

William

III.

1696-7

m mN

1675-6 1676-7

1677-8

1679-80

In a minute of 1686 three Hall marks are of that mentioned, the Maker making four.

From

1680-1

1681-2 1682-3

the

1697

New

to

1701

being

w

James

C

1754-6

1704-5

1729-30

D

1765-6

1706-6

1730-1

E

1756-7

1706-7

1731-2

F

1767-8

1732-3

G

1758-9

1733-4

H

1759-60

1734-6

I

1760-1

1736-6

J

1761-2

1736-7

K

1762-3

1737-8

L

1763-4

1738-9

M

1764-5

1739-40

N

1765-6

O~eorg^e

1686-7

1716-7

R)

1717-8

fp]

Arms, as

City

Arma, of a daggfcr between 3

1.

2.

Crest,

3.

gcrbes. Crest, a sword ercot. Date Letter.

3.

or sword erect. Date Letter.

4.

Maker's Mark.

4.

Maker's Mark.

1.

2.

City

1741-2

1767-8

R

1769-70

1744-6

S

1770-1

1746-6

T

1771-2

1746-7

U

1772-3

1747-8

W

1773-4

1722-3

1748-9

X

1774-5

1723-4

1749-60

Y

1776-6

1724-5

1750-1

Z

1776-7

1725-6

1751-2

s

1719-20 i

m

1^20-1 I

1721-2 (fff

Five Marks.

Five Marks.

JklAHKS.

City Arms, changed

2.

about 1720 to and demi-lions half gerbes. Britannia.

3. 4.

Leopard's Head Date Letter.

5.

Maker's Mark.

fleur-de-lis,

1766-7

1743-4

1.

fore.

1740-1

1768-9

FiVK be-

ill.

Q

(z Four Marks.

1753-4

1742-3

1688-9

Four Marks.

1762-3

George

1718-9

1687-8

II.

I.

Q

w

1686-6

%

1728-9

1716-6

V]

II.

III,

1714-5

[U]

1684-6

&

JULY

1703-4

1713-4

ille-

1683-4

II.

1727-8

1712-3

the Provincial gal, not Offices could

assay or stamp plate.

GEORGE

1702-3

;

Standard

II

5.

Capitals.

A B

1711-2

Standard

was only stamped in Old London the

&

Qeorg-e

1710-1

^

I.

1726-7

1709-10

1674-6

BoMAN

JULY

1708-9

IHJ

1673-4

1678-9

GEORGE

I.

1707-8

1696-6

1672-3

/I?

ANNE & GEO.

1701-2

Dl

CYCLE

4.

Script Lkttkrs.

JUiiY

1693-4

1671-2

3

III.,

CYCLE

3.

Capitals.

Anne.

1690-1

1668-9

WILL.

& Mary 1689-90

1666-6

)

Roman

Will.

II.

1664-6

CYCLE

2.

LoMBARDic Capitals.

3 3

or.

City Arms, preceding,

as the after

1720.

Lion passant. Leopard's Head. Date Letter. Maker's Mark.

1.

2.

Lion passant. Leopard's Head. the

as

3.

City Arms, preceding.

4.

Date Letter. Maker, as before.

5.

After 1720, Old Standard.

NoTK The letters after 1701, with few exceptions, are placed in square escutcheons, with the corners cut off. a pair of barrel-mugs, with Sir Philip Egerton, of Oulton. has sent us facsimiles of the Chester Marks on Roman capitals, and an invoice of R. Richardson. Silversmith, 1769, made in 1767-8 for P. Egerton, Esq., of Oulton.

P

in


CHESTER ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE Roman

GEORGE

Roman

1777-8

b

1778-9

c

1779-80

d

1780-1

e

f

III

/

>

GEO.

& IV, WILL. IV VICTORIA.

-

1819-20

1781-2

D E

1782-3

F

1802-3

G

George

VICTORIA.

1839-40

1864-5

1840-1

1865-6

1841-2

1866-7

IV.

c

1820-1

1842-3

1867-8

D E

1821-2

1843-4

1868-9

1822-3

1844-5

1803-4

F

1823-4

1845-6

1870-1

H

1804-5

G

1824-5

1846-7

1871-2

H

1825-6

1847-8

1872-3

I

1826-7

1848-9

1878-4

1849-50

1801-2

h

1784-5

I

1805-6

i

1785-6

K

1806-7

k

1786-7

L

1807-8

1787-8

M

1808-9

K

1827-8

1

m

N

1809-10

L

1828-9

1788-9

n

1789-90

1810-1

M

o

1790-1

P

1791-2

q

1792-3

r

1793-4

s

1794-5

t

1795-6

u

1796-7

P Q

1811-2

N

E

1818-4

S

1814-5

T

1815-6

U V

1816-7

1817-8

P Q

R S

T

U V

of the City of 3 demi-lioiis

and gcrbe, changed to the Old Stamp of a sword between three gerbes, about

m

1869-70

1874-5

(I)

1829-80 William

1850-1

m.

1851-2

m

1875-6 1876-7

IV.

1830-1

1831-2

1812-3

The Stamp

Arms

10.

Black Letter Small.

VICT0RI4.

1818-9 /

1800-1

&

CYCLE

9.

Bl.ack Letter Capitals.

Ill

1798-9

c

CYCLE

8.

RoM.tN Capitals.

1797-8

1799-00

1788-4

CYCLE

7.

Capital.

GEORGE

III

@

to

CYCLE

6.

Small.

1832-8

1852-3

1877-8

1858-4

1878-9

1854-5

1833-4

m

1879-80

1855-6

1880-1

1856-7

1881-2

1857-8

1882-8

1887-8

1858-9

1883-4

1888-9

1859-60

1834-5

1835-6 1886-7 Victoria.

1860-1

1861-2

1775.

m m

1862-8 1863-4

Five Marks.

Five Marks.

2.

Six Marks. JAon passant. Leopard's Head.

2.

Six Marks. Lion passant. Leopard's Head.

2.

Six Marks. Lion passant. Leopard's Head.

2.

City Arms.

2.

City Arms.

3.

City Arms.

3.

City Arms.

3.

City Arms.

3.

Duty Mark.

3.

4.

Date Letter.

4.

Duty Mark.

4.

Duty Mark.

4.

4.

."..

Duty ilark in 1784.

5.

5.

Duty Mark. Date Letter. Maker.

6.

Date Letter. Maker.

5.

Maker's Mark.

Date Letter. Maker.

Date Letter. Maker.

1.

6.

These letters are not facsimiles.

1.

1.

6.

1.

Lion passant.

(The Leopard's Head discontinued 1839.)

1.

Lion passant.

5.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

290

CHESTER ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE Roman

CYCLE

11.

Roman

Capitals.

VICTORIA.

VICTORIA.

CYCLE

11.

Capitals.

EDWARD

VII.

Edward

(3

1894-5

1884-5

CYCLE

12.

ScBiPT Letters.

1885-6

CYCLE

12.

12.

ScBiPT Letters.

Script Letters.

GEORGE

GEORGE

V.

V.

Qeorge V

VII

1901-2

910

1902-3

911-2

1919-20

1

Tl]

I

1920-1

1895-6 1903-4

912-3

1904-5

913-4

1905-6

914-5

1906-7

915-6

1907-8

916-7

1908-9

917-8

1886-7

^

1887-8

1896-7

1888-9

1897-8

m

1889-90

1898-9

1890-1

1909-10

918-9

1891-2

1899-00 1892-3 1900-1 1893-4

Lion passant.

1.

Lion passant.

1.

City Arms. Date Letter. Maker's Mark. Queen's Head.

2.

City Arms. Date Letter. Maker's Mark.

2.

3.

4. 5.

3. 4.

Duty abolished on

Four Marks.

Four Marks.

Four Marks.

Five Mares. 1.

2.

3. 4.

Lion passant. City Arms.

Date Letter. Maker's Mark.

silver,

Four Marks.

1.

Lion passant.

1.

Lion passant.

2.

2.

3.

City Arms. Date Letter.

4.

Maker's Mark.

4.

City Arms. Date Letter. Maker's Mark.

and Queen's Head omitted.

3.


CHESTER MARKS.

291

EXAMPLES. Chester, 1665. The following four marks occur on a porringer or two-handled cup and cover, lately in the possession of Messrs. Lezvis and Son, Brighton. It is the earliest authentic piece of Chester plate we have hitherto met with, enabling us to ascertain the type of letter used in the cycle commencing 1664. 1.

2.

The Chester City Arms, a sword

be-

tween three wheat-sheaves or gerbes. The City Crest, adopted by the Assay Office as their Hall mark formerly, viz., a sword with a bandelet, which is still used by the officials on their printed documents, issuing from five

an

earl's coronet, the

pellets underneath indicating

the balls of the coronet. 3.

A

4.

The maker's

German

text B, denoting the year

1665. City Crest. Still ased by the Assay OfBoe as e heading to letters and oorrespondence

initials crowned, probably one of the Pembertons, who were silversmiths at Chester and members of the Guild about that date. Mr. Lowe, the Assay Master, informs us that the signature of

Peter Pemberton occurs very regufrom 1677

larly in the minute-book until 1702.

These marks are on a 1689. spoon with flat stem, leaf-shaped

Date,

end, rat-tail bowl, clearly of this date. In the possession of the Earl

of Breadalbane. 1.

The

Chester City wheat-sheaves.

Arms

of a sword between three gerbes or

3.

The crest of the Assay Office at Chester. Court-hand A, denoting the year 1689, according to the min-

4.

The maker's

2.

utes of the year 1690.

Alexander Pulford, silversmith, who in that year as a member of the guild, whose occurs frequently in the minutes. initials,

was admitted

name

The assay mark of

a fleur-de-lis somewhat similar to the sword requires some explanation; and Mr. Lowe, the Assay Master, remarks as a strange coincidence, that in the same old minute-book there is a sketch of a fleur-de-lis, as above shown, from which we may infer that this stamp was an old Chester mark, and

and bandelet


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

292

we may

with some degree of certainty attribute the stamp of a fleur-

de-lis within a circle, so frequently found on plate of the early part of the seventeenth century, to Chester, when some such distinctive

mark must have been used, and the lis has never hitherto been accounted for. These two examples prove that the sword between three gerbes, erroneously called the new arms, to distinguish the shield from another styled the old arms of three demi-lions and gerbes, was used and Mr. Lowe as a punch on silver long before the last-named informs us that it is found on public documents in the time of the Commonwealth, and is frequently met with in the reign of Charles IL Hence the coat of a sword between three wheat-sheaves was used :

as a stamp previous to 1701, and was altered in that year to that of three demi-lions per pale with three wheat-sheaves also dimidiated,

which was again changed about 1784 for the sword erect between three wheat-sheaves, which still remains in use. The date letters on the above examples, taken in conjunction with the initials of silversmiths whose names are recorded in the minute-book, show the character of the alphabets adopted at the Chester Assay Office, viz., 1664 to 1688 inclusive, a German text alphabet, and 1689 to 1697 a court-hand or church text alphabet brought to a 'premature end by the Act altering the standard, recomin 1 701 by which Act "a variable for stated the succeeding first cycle. pressly

mencing

;

Roman

letter^'

was ex-

Chester Marks. Circa 1660.

A

rat-tail spoon in the possession of the Rev. T. StiUtiforth.

A

piece of plate of the seventeenth century in Messrs. Hancock's possession.

Date,

1

7 16.

Table

Thomas Robinson. Company^

Chester.

made by The Goldsmiths^

spoon,


EXETER.

293

COVENTRY. Although

this city

is

mentioned

VI, as being entitled to assay plate,

in the Statute of

it is

2nd Henry

not probable that plate was

ever stamped here.

EXETER. There are no records at the Hall previous to i/Oi, when this appointed an assay town. The early mark used at Exeter previous to this date was a

city

v/as first

let-

X

crowned, subsequently altered to a castle of three towers. The Act passed in 1700, reappointing this city for assaying plate, did not come into operation until .September 29, 1701. On August 7 the Company of Goldsmiths met, and on September 17 Wardens were appointed, and they resolved, with all convenient speed and safety, to put the Act in execution; and the first wardens and assayer were sworn in before the Mayor on November ig, 1701. The letters for that year, as ordered by the commenced with a Roman capital statute, which characters, large and small, they used throughout the alphabet until 1837, when they adopted old English capitals for that cycle. Table of Letters for each year will be found annexed. ter

A

A

We

have given below the probable dates of some early pieces

bearing date-letters, according to the London Tables, in a parenthesis, which, from the style of workmanship, are approximate, if not actually correct. It is a curious fact that from 1797 they reduced the number of letters in each cycle from twenty-four to twenty to correspond with those of London, adopting the same alphabets down to 1856. The extensive collection of old English spoons in the possession of Dr. and Mrs. Ash ford, of Torquay, especially rich in those manufactured at Exeter, has been of great service in verifying the Table of Date Marks, and Dr. Ashford's careful investigation of the subject has greatly assisted our research. Mr. Morgan speaks of a mark he had occasionally met with on old plate, resembling the letter X, surmounted by a crown, which he conjectured m'ght be St. Andrew's cross, therefore of Scotch origin. We have met with several specimens, and on all the mark is invariably the Roman letter X, not a cross saltire or St. Andrew's cross.

Another peculiarity relating to this mark is, when it occurs on spoons, it is always placed within the bowl, in the same position as the leopard's head on spoons struck in London, a proof that it denotes the stamp of a town. In order, therefore, that we may endeavour to trace this mark to its proper locality,

we

will briefly notice some of the specimens notice, being all evidently of English

which have come under our manufacture.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

294

A

brown mottled stoneware jug, in silver gilt mounting of the sixteenth century, has the letter crowned, the word EASTON, and a small old English date letter r on a shield (London, 1560). The date engraved on the handle is 1586. brown stoneware jug, mounted in silver, has first, the letter X, surmounted by a crown and two pellets; second, the word ES-

X

A

third, C on a shield; fourth, a small old English date letter on a shield (London, 1564). On the handle is engraved the date

TON; 1595.

A

W.

Cozier, Esq.

silver

X

apostle spoon has three marks first, the letter fleur-de-lis, within the bowl; second, the word

crowned, and two

EASTON;

on a pointed third, a small old English date letter shield (London, i 560). On the back are some letters pounced and the date 1634 of a later period. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford, Torquay. These three pieces are from families in Devonshire, and we have traced several others to the same county. A silversmith residing in Exeter assures us that he has frequently met with similar marks, and has always considered them to be old Exeter stamps, in which opinion he is corroborated by other residents of the vicinity. silver

A spoon bears an oblong stamp of a castle of three towers, on one side and on the with the word (Exoniensis), It has on the handle the date 1692 pounced or pricked, but other. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. the make is probably earlier. There are in Exeter parish churches several communion cups of the sixteenth century, mostly 1570 to 1580, bearing the stamp IONS, with or without the crowned X, which may be part of a m.aker's name, Jonson or Johnson. A stoneware jug of the sixteenth century, mounted in silver, bears the marks of the letter crowned and the word YEDS. South Kensington Museiun. A spoon with a maiden's head on the stem, of old Exeter make, has the X crowned and the name of the maker, OSBORN, imDate of presentation, I. H., 161 2. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford. pressed. Dr. Ashford informs us he has met with an old Exeter seal-top spoon with the maker's name, BENTLY. A silver apostle spoon has in the bowl first, the letter crowned second, on the stem the name RADCLIFF and third, the

EX

EXON

ON

X

X

;

and a and date of

letters I.R.

ters

;

flower.

It

also bears the

presentation,

1637.

pounced or pricked letRev. T. Sfaniforth, Storrs,

Windermere.

A

brown stoneware jug of the sixteenth century, mounted in handsomely chased, has the marks of an X crowned, with two /?z pellets in the side angles and the word HORWOD stamped. the possession of Martin Tucker Smith, Esq. There are two silver apostle spoons marked with the letter X crowned in a dotted circle, and a goldsmith's mark, ET, repeated silver


EXETER. thrice* with pounced letters Museum, Peel Park.

and date

295

1659.

In the Salford Royal

X

A silver apostle spoon has the letter crowned, as before, and a goldsmith's mark, and is pounced with letters and date of preRev. T. Staniforih, Storrs, Windermere. sentation, 1635. Dr. and Mrs. Ashford possess several apostle spoons, with the inscribed with the following dates, which in many incrowned stances are much later than the periods of their manufacture

X

:

1634 and 1646. eral angle,

1649.

The crowned on a round

The crowned

X

X

has a small cross in each

lat-

shield.

has a triangular pellet in each lateral

angle, ditto. 1660.

1675.

The crowned X is on an escutcheon shaped to the letter. Crowned X with round pellets in each lateral angle, on a round

1678.

shield.

Crowned

X

with two pellets and round beaded es-

cutcheon. 1682.

Crowned X with two stars of a small s under.

fi.ve

points at the sides

and

By reference to the date of presentation on the pieces of plate here described, it will be observed they range from 1586 to 1700; and doubtless at Exeter most of the plate made in the West of EngIndeed, so land, especially at Plymouth, was sent to be stamped. much was an Assay Office required, that in the year 1700 Exeter was included in the statute, and after that date the shield of arms of the town (a castle with three towers) was adopted and although ;

Bristol was empowered to assay plate, both by 2 Henry VI (1424), and also by 12 William III (1700), it never availed itself of the powers thereby conferred. On the other hand, Exeter, as soon as the Act came into operation, appointed its wardens and assayer with

convenient speed and safety. The first page of the register-book, in which the plate-workers entered their names and marks, being lost, we can only commence " with Peeter Eliot of Dartmouth," who entered on November 13, 1703, stamping the two first letters of his surname, E.L., in old English capitals, in compliance with the Act for the New Standard, a specimen of which will be seen in the examples (page 203) occurring on a rat-tail spoon of the year 1703. This was the twenty-fourth worker who had entered his mark. Other marks of goldsmiths follow, who resided principally at Plymouth, a few at Exeter, and other places all

:

*

Repetitions of the maker's mark frequently occur in close proximity This piece, when other stamps are wanting, on provincial silver. double or treble stamp may perhaps denote the quality of the silver, a system adopted in other countries; e.g., at Greneva, in the time of the old Republic, the stamp for silver of the first quality was the City Arms for the second, the double punch of the maker for the third, the maker's single punch.

on the same

;

;


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

296

May

1704.

8,

Richard Wilcocks, Plymouth Wj. crowned. Richard Holin, Truro Edward Sweet, Dunster SW. Richard Vavasour, Tottness VA.

HO

etc., etc.

In the early register-book the workers stamped their marks on the margin of the page, opposite to their names. On May 6, 1708, Robert Palmer was appointed Assay Master. In 1773 the names of the members of the Goldsmiths' Company

Exeter were Mr. Thos. Coffin, Mr. Richard Sams, Mr. David Jones and Mr. Richard Jenkins; and Mr. Matthew Skinner was the Assay at

Master.

The names and places of abode of all the goldsmiths, silversmiths and plate-workers then living (1773), who had entered their names and marks in the Assay Office at Exeter, were Messrs.

Edward

Broadhurst, Plymouth.

Roger Berryman Symons, Welch, do.

do.

Thomas do.

Thomas Thorne,

do.

Benjamin Symons Nathan, John Tingcombe, do. David Hawkins, do.

At

Thomas

this Office

Strong, do.

William Harvey, do.

Jason Rolt, do.

James Jenkins,

John Brown, Plymouth.

do.

Beer, do.

Richard Bidlake, do. William Eveleigh, Dartmouth. Richard Jenkins, Exeter. William Coffin, do.

only one standard of gold was assayed, which was

the highest, being 22 karats. Since 1701 the date letter has always been changed on August 7 in each year. The Office at this city continued to do useful work, until thirtyeight years ago, when it was closed. great part of the silver as-

A

sayed at Exeter was manufactured in Bristol. Ultimately the amount of business decreased to so large an extent, that on June 26, 1883, a special Court was held at the Goldsmiths' Hall. At this Court there were present Mr. Josiah Williams, Mr. John Ellett Lake, Mr. Ross, Mr. Henry Lake, Mr. Maynard, Assay Master, and Mr. Henry Wilcocks Hooper, Solicitor to the Company. The Company resolved, having regard to the small quantity of silver recently marked, that it was not desirable to obtain new punches; and that the premises used for the business should be given up; and that no' fresh premises should be taken until sufficient applications were received to render it desirable to reopen the Hall. The old punches were surrendered to the Inland Revenue Office, and the books and paper deposited with Mr. Hooj^er, the Solicitor to the

The

Company.

early minute books and other documents of the Company were placed in the custody of Mr. Hooper; and six copper plates, on which many of the date letters and makers' marks have been struck, in that of Mr. J. Jerman, of Exeter.


EXETER. The form times.

At

first

About

1

297

of the castle used at Exeter has varied at different the mark appeared of the following form :

7 10 the

form was slightly varied

In 1823 the three towers are detached and placed in an oblong

:

A few years later the castles were again joined, and that form was retained until the office was closed :

The

lion passant

The arms of

was very similar

to that

the city of Exeter are

used at Birmingham

:

:

Per fate gules and sable, a triangular castle with three towers or. The crest is a denii-lion rampant gules, crowned or, holding betzveen his -paws a bezant, surmounted by a cross botonnee or. Tivo pegasi argent, wings endorsed maned and crineJ. Supporters Motto, SEMPER FiDELIS. or, on the wings three bars wavy azure. For much of the information relating to the Exeter Assay Office we are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Percy H. Hooper, the last Deputy Assayer, and also Mr. J. Jerman. :



EXETER ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS.





EXETER

AIARKS.

303

EXAMPLES. spoon, date Messrs. Hancock.

about

Apostle

A

ESTONI

1576.

spoon of the sixteenth century, with hexagonal stem, pear-shaped Date of prebowl, button top. Earl of Breadalsentation, 1620. bane.

^1

RADCLIFF

Apostle spoon, 1637.

Rev. T. Stani-

forth.

A

spoon of about 1670, oval

bowl,

monogram

flat

stem and

bears this stamp with and maker's initials W.F.

Earl of Breadalbane.

head spoon, pricked ^Vi 1689. Circa 1689. Messrs. Ellett Lake Son.

Split

&

Handsome

tankard. Messrs. Ellett Lake

Date

&

1703.

Son.

1703. These new standard marks are on a three-pint tankard. (Britannia holds in her hand a flower or sprig, not a cross as here given in the Messrs. Hancock. cut.)

Date

\u^

The City mark of Salver, circa 17 10. a castle has a thin line rising from the pointed base of the shield to the central tower, indicating the partition per pale, like the City arms. Messrs. Ellett Lake Son.

&

21


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

304

Split head spoon. Date 171 Son. Ellett Lake

1.

Messrs.

&

lyii

Date

1

On a rat-tail spoon, given Messrs. Hancock.

7 12.

in 1713-

HULL.

A

little plate was marked here with the town arms during the seventeenth centur>-, though there was never a proper assay office at

this place.

The arms

of the town of Hull are

Az7ire, three

:

crowns the following example in fale or.

The mark on

is

evidently intended to

represent the town arms.

EXAMPLE.

Spoon.

Date

circa

1660./. H.

Walter, Esq.

LINCOLN. This city was mentioned as an assay town in 1423, but it does not appear that plate was ever Hall marked here, or indeed manufactured to any large amount.

The arms of

the city of Lincoln are

Argent, on a cross gules, a

fleiir

de

:

lis or.


NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE ASSAY OFFICE.

305

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. The arms of the town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne are Gtdes^ three towers triple-towered argent. At Newcastle-upon-Tyne as early as 1249, Henry III comthe bailiffs and good men to choose four of the most prudent and trusty men of their town for the office of moneyers there, and other four like persons for keeping the King's Mint in that town also two fit and prudent goldsmiths to be assayers of the money to be made there. By the Act of 1423 this town was appointed one of the seven In 1536, the goldsmiths were provincial assay towns in England. by an ordinary, incorporated with the plumbers and glaziers, and the united company required to go together, on the feast of Corpus Christi, and maintain their play of the "Three Kings of Coleyn." They were to have four wardens, viz., one goldsmith, one plumber, one glazier, and one pewterer or painter, and it is quaintly added that no Scotchman born should be taken apprentice or suffered to

manded

;

work in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They had their hall in "Maden Tower" granted them in the mayoralty of Sir Peter Riddell in 1619, and the association of the goldsmiths with the other tradesmen seems to have lasted till 1702.* This town was reappointed as an assay town by the Act of 1701. The annual letter appears to have been used from 1702. Mr. Thomas Sewell, one of the Wardens of the Assay Office, has kindly furnished us with a Table of Date Letters, chronologically arranged, compiled from the Assay Office books and the copperplate on which the maker strikes his initials, as well as from pieces of old plate which have from time to time come under his notice. From careful examination of various examples of Newcastle plate, we have altered some of the characters, making the table more comThe change of letter took place on May 3 in each year. plete. In 1773 the members of the Goldsmiths' Company at Newcastleupon-Tyne were Mr. John Langlands and Mr. John Kirkup, Goldsmiths and Silversmiths, Wardens; and Mr. Matthew Prior, As:

sayer.

The names and places of abode of all the goldsmiths, silversmiths and plate-workers then living, who had entered their names Mr. John Langlands, Mr. John Kirkup, Mr. and marks, were Samuel James, Mr. James Crawford, Mr. John Jobson, Mr. James Hetherington (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), Mr. John Fearney (Sunderland), and Mr. Samuel Thomson (Durham). The Assay Office at Newcastle was closed in May, 1884, in consequence of there being insufficient work to make it worth keeping The Assay Master of the Office before 1854 was Mr. F. Somopen. :

*

From an "Impartial History of the Town and County of Newcastleupon-Tyne," published in 1801, page 429.


3o6

HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

He was succeeded by Mr. James Robson, who entered the as a stamper in 1836, became Assay Master in 1854, and retained that post until the office was finally closed. The last two wardens were Mr. T. A. Reid and Mr J. W. Wakinshaw. curious incident occurred when Mr. Robson commenced his duties. By some means he obtained the wrong punches, and marked some plate which afterwards went to Carlisle. This almost led to an action against a. silversmith at that city, who was accused of forging the Hall

erville. office

A

marks.

When the office was closed the stamping punches were obliterated or defaced by an Inland Revenue Officer. The name punch plate and the old books of the Goldsmiths' Company were placed the Black Gate Museum of the Old Castle in the city.

m


NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS.




310

HALL MARKS ON PLATE. EXAMPLES.

A

porringer

with

two handles,

fluted base and gadroon border The at top. Date about 1680.

Earl of Breadalbane.

Large gravy ladle. Date 1725. H. A. Attenborough, Esq.

(D

Ditto.

1740.

Messrs. Hancock.

Small beaker. Date Marquis of Exeter.

Do.

1740.

The


CITY OF NORWICH.

311

NORWICH. of the city of Norwich are Gules, a castle stirmounted with a tower argent, in base a lion

The arms

:

passant guardant

or.

Tn Norwich, plate was assayed and marked at an early period, are existing among the Corporation plate of the date 1567. An annual letter seems to have been used, for we find on a gilt cylindrical salt and cover, elaborately chased with strap" The Gyfte of Peter work and elegant borders, this inscription i. The Arms of Norwich, are: The Reade, Esquiar.'' plate-marks viz., a castle surmounted with a tower, in base a lion passant guardand 3. Cross-mound (cr orb and cross) Roman capital ant 2. within a lozenge. It was therefore made and stamped at Norwich in 1 568, for Peter Reade died in that year. Among the records of the Corporation of Norwich we see that in 1624 the mark of a castle and lion was delivered by the Mayor and Corporation to the Wardens and Searcher of the trade of goldsmiths; the city was reappointed an assay town in 1700; and in July I, 1702, Mr. Robert Harstonge was sworn assayer of gold and silver to the Company, although we have never met with any plate with marks of Norwich after that date. cocoa-nut cup, mounted in silver, bears the city arms of castle and lion and a rose crowned, with the date mark, a Roman capital Messrs. Hunt and Roskell. S.The stamp of a rose is frequently found on plate of the sixteenth century, and is thought to denote the Norwich Assay Office, being, as in the piece just alluded to, found by the side of the city silver-mounted cocoa-nut cup in the South Kensington arms. Museum bears the impress of a rose crowned, a date letter R, and the maker's mark, a star. It has the date of presentation, 1576, engraved

and some specimens

:

D

A

;

;

A

A

upon

it.

the Corporation plate is a gilt tazza cup on a short baluster stem. Engraved round the edged in cusped letters is the

Among

" THE MOST HERE OF IS DVNE BY PETER an eminent goldsmith at Norwich in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. In the bottom of the bowl are engraved, within a circle, the arms of the city of Norwich, viz., gules a castle surmounted with a tower argent, in base a lion passant guardant or. Two plate-marks have existed on the edge of the bowl. One of these seems to bear the arms of the city in an escutcheon, which was used to distingu'sh the plate made and assayed at Norwich, and the other a cross-mound. English work, the latter half of the sixteenth cenThere are two other cups of similar character belonging to tury. the Corporation, on one of w'hich are the following assay marks, the All three were prolion, leopard's face, a covered cup, and letter. bably the gift of John Blenerhasset, whose arms are engraved within one of them. He was steward of the city in 1563, and one of the

following inscription

Peterson."

He was

:


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

312 burgesses in

Parliament,

13

Proceedings Arch.

Elizabeth.

Inst.,

1847.

A

silver mace-head of the Company of St. George, in form of a capital of a column, enriched with acanthus leaves, and surmounted by a statuette of St. George and the Dragon. Round the collar has been engraved, but now partly obliterated by the insertion of four sockets, the following inscription :

"Ex Dono

Hororabil

:

Fraternitatis S^K A.n>i

On lowing

the top

is

Do'

Georgij in Norwico

1705."

engraved the shield of

St.

George and the

fol-

:

"DIE

III.

AIAEII,

BENE ET FELICITER MVNICIPIO

AIDCCLXXXVI.

NORVICENSI OMNIA VT EVENIANT PRECATVR ROBERTVS PARTRIDGE PRAETER."

The

plate-mark, a court-hand b in an escutcheon on the maceof the year 1697. The initial occurs on one of the marks, the remainder of which is illegible. Height, I2| in. Ibid.

head,

H

is

The Walpole mace, presented in 1733, ^^'^^s assayed and stamped London. A finely ornamented repousse ewer and salver, with Neptune and Amphitrite, "The gift of the Hon. Henry Howard, June 16, 1663," was stamped in London in 1597. A tall gilt tankard, repousse with strap-work, flowers and fruit, and engraved with the arms of Norwich, was stamped in London in 161 8. in

EXAMPLES.

A mound

chalice dated 1567, stamped with the letter C and a crosswithin a lozenge. North Creake Church, Norfolk.

A

piece of plate, date about 1567. Messrs. Hancock.

Communion cup

of the same date. Messrs. Hancock.

<^

Igfe

M A

R

Silver gilt salt.

Date

1568.

-The

Corporation of Norwich.

i\Iount of a cocoa-nut cup, with date

of

presentation,

i57'5.

South

Kensington Museum.

cocoa-nut cup, stamped with a rose, and the letter Roskell. about 1580. Messrs. Hunt

&

S.,

date


SHEFFIELD.

313

Seal-top spoon. Date circa 1637. /. H. Walter, Esq.

Split

head spoon. Date H. Walter, Esq.

circa 1662.

/.

Tankard, date 1691.

James Reeve,

Esq.

Button

top

spoon,

17 17, date of

pounced

make about

date

1693.

'

Messrs. Hancock.

Beaker, date Esq.

1697.

/.

H. Walter,

The rose crowned is the standard mark the castle and lion that of the town; the cross-mound and star being the mark of the famous Peter Peterson. All the silver bearing this symbol having been made by him. ;

SALISBURY. This

known

if

was appointed as an assay town in 1423, but it is not plate was ever assayed here in any case nothing was done city

;

when

several other places were re-appointed as assay towns, but these did not include Salisbury. The arms of the city are: Azure, four bars or. in 1700,

SHEFFIELD. The trade of the silversmith in the city of Sheffield is of considerable importance as is evidenced by the fact that Sheffield is one of the four cities in England where an office now exists for assaying and stamping gold and silver articles. The manufacture of the famous Sheffield

plate

commenced

about the year 1742; and the tankards, coffee-pots, candlesticks, and ether articles

known

as Sheffield plate are very beautiful

and dur-


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

314

are still much sought after, and command high prices. The in taking a plate of copper alloyed with brass, consisted process fusing on to it a thick plate of silver on each side, and then working up the plate into the article desired. Horace Walpole, in a letter to Mr. Montagu, dated September i, 1760, writes "As I went to Lord Strafford's I passed through Sheffield, which is one of the foulest towns in England, in the most charming situation; there are 22,000 inhabitants making knives and scissors. They remit eleven thousand pounds a week to London. One man there has discovered the art of plating coffer with silver. I bought a pair of candlesticks for two guineas, that are quite pretty." The process was afterwards changed, and the article to be silvered was first completely made of German or nickel silver, and then covered with silver by means of an electric current. The fundamental difference between the methods of manufacture being that whereas, in the genuine Sheffield plate the base metal was coated with silver before it was .wrought, in the electro-plate the base metal was completely wrought and finished before it was able,

and

:

coated with

The

silver.

was established about the year 1760, when Henry Tudor and Thomas Leader, who had been apprenticed in London, came to Sheffield, where they made snuffboxes and other small silver articles. At first the Sheffield silversmiths appear to have considered themselves under the Act of George K, and they sent their plate to London for assay by the Goldsmiths' Company and they do not seem to have availed themselves of the Assay Office at Chester, as most of the Birmingham silver workers did at that time. The Sheffield plate workers, however, found it very inconvenient to be obliged to send their ware one hundred and fifty miles to be assayed and stamped, at a time when the transport thereof was not only costly, but also very slow and hazardous. The artificers of silver in Sheffield therefore presented a petition to the House of silversmiths' trade at Sheffield

;

Commons on February i, 1773, calling attention to these facts and praying leave to bring in a Bill for establishing an Assay Office at At the same time a similar petition was presented by the Birmingham plate workers. Ultimately the Statute of 13 George ni, cap. 52, was passed. By this Act, as before mentioned, the peculiar mark appointed

Sheffield.

for the Sheffield Company is a crown. As the Birmingham Assay Office was also appointed by this Act, it is more particularly referred to in the notes relating to that city. Under the Act of 3 Edward VH, c. 255, the Guardians of the

Standard of Wrought Plate within the city of Sheffield are authorand stamp gold ware. The change of the date letter takes place on the first Monday in July each year. The plan adopted at Sheffield differs from all

ised to assay

the other

offices,

for instead of taking the alphabet in regular sucis selected apparently at

cession, the special letter for each year


SHEFFIELD. random,

until

1824, after

which the

315

letters

follow in their proper

order.

used, on opening the Office in 1773, was an Old E, followed by F, then N, and other letters irregularly until 1799; when another cycle, commencing with the Roman capital E, followed by N, and other letters irregularly, until 1824, when the third cycle commenced with the letter a, and continued regularly through the alphabet, a practice which has always since been followed. There is no record explaining this curious sequence of letters in Mr. Arnold T. Watson, however, conjectures the first two cycles. that, as the Earls of Effingham took a very deep and active interest in the business of the Sheffield Office during the early years of its existence, the letter E was adopted as a compliment to this family in the first and second cycle, especially as an Earl of Effingham occupied the chair on each occasion. The Effingham interest in the Office ceased after the death of Richard Howard, Earl of Effingham, on December 11, 18 16, and the irregular lettering ceased very soon after this time. The marks used at this office are the same as at London, except that the crown is substituted for the leopard's head, and variation of the date-mark. Sometimes we find the crown and date letter combined in one stamp, probably on small pieces of plate, but they are generally separate on square punches. When practicable, the four marks are placed in order and struck from one punch, but they are struck separately when that cannot be done. The marks are so combined for the convenience of the wardens in marking the goods, but the letter only is used to denote the year in which the article was

The

first letter

Text capital

letter

made.

The date letters The form of the

are invariably placed in square escutcheons. lion

and crown now used

The Sheffield assay mark under the for foreign plate for gold was

Order

:

(Crossed arrows.)

And

for silver

is

:

in Council of 1904


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

3i6

The assay mark of this Office was altered as follows, by the before-mentioned Order in Council of 1906, and is now for foreign plate for gold

And

:

for silver

SL Air. John Watson and Mr. Arnold T. Watson, former Assay Masters, most courteously furnished us with the variable letter for each year, from the commencement in 1773, taken from references in the Minute Books, wherein are recorded the meetings for the election of new Wardens. The present Assay Master, Mr. B. W. Watson, has also given us other valuable information.


SHEFFIELD ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS.



SHEFFIELD ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE

CYCLE

6.

VICTORIA,

EDWARD

VII

7.

Small Uoman

Black Lkttkb Smau,.

& GEORGE

GEORGE

V.

V.

1906-7 1918-9

1893-4

m

1907-8 1894-5

1895-6

&

1896-7

X

1919-20 1908-9

1909-10

C

Gsorge V

1897-8

d

1910-1

1920-1

1921-2

1898-9

1911-2

1899-00

IX

1912-3

1900-1 Edward

1913-4

VI 1

1901-2 1914-5

1902-3

I

1903-4

Si

1915-6

iT-

1916-7 1904-5

ra

1905-6

1

1917-8

FouB Marks. 1.

2.

Lion passant. Crown.

3. 4.

Date Letter. Maker.

22


320

HALL MARKS ON PLATE. EXAMPLES.

Candlestick. Date 179 1-2. Walter^ Esq.

IP&C^]

KG

J.H.


YORK.

321

of the maker, a half rose and half fleur de lis conjoined, and ths date letter R; it is in Mr. Addington's collection. spoon of the end of the sixteenth century, in the Rev. T. Staniforth's possession, has also the half rose and half fleur de lis,

A

and the date letter hThe stamp used at York previous to 1700 was probably that of the half rose and half fleur de lis conjoined, which is frequently met with on plate of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The junction of the lis and rose is probably in allusion to the union of the rival houses of York and Lancaster by the marriage of Henry the Seventh to the Princess Margaret, daughter of Edward IV, in i486; the lis being a favourite badge of the Lancastrians, as As a mint mark we find occasionally the rose was that of York. the fleur de lis on the coins of the Lancastrian kings, in allusion to their French conquests; but upon some of the coins of Henry VH we find as mint mark the lis and rose conjoined sometimes half rose and half lis, as on the York punch on plate, on others a lis stamped upon a rose, and sometimes a lis issuing from a rose (vide Hawkins,

figs.

362, 364, 368).

The York mark

here given, being found on plate of the sixcenturies, is frequently much worn and partiThe half fleur de lis is easily distinguished, but ally obliterated. In some instances the corresponding half is not so easily discerned. it looks like a dimidiated leopard's head crowned; in others like the half of a seeded rose, with portion of the crown over it, for which There is a great similarity, however, it is probably intended. all the punches we have examined, as if struck from one die, which, teenth

and seventeenth

m

having been, a long time in use, may have got damaged. It may be remarked as a curious coincidence, that two diminutive letters can be traced YO, the two first of the word York. In our previous editions we suggested that this punch originated at York, but our data are not yet sufficient to form a satisfactory table. In alluding to the plate preserved at York, we must not omit " to notice the ancient bowl called The Scrope Mazer," from the Arch-

bishop whose name is engraved upon it. This bowl is preserved at the Minster, in charge of the Dean and Chapter. Drake, in his History of York, thus describes it " In the Shoemakers' Company, at York, is kept a bowl called a Mazer bowl, edged about with silver, double gilt, with three silver feet, and Round the rim on one side is this inscription cherub's head to it. ' old Kwljarb arcljftrrscljopi 5rrO|J^ English characters) (in :

:

grants

on

ta

all

dagis

bgscljope

to

parbon

mesm

partran

brinkia tljat on the other side

\\\a

'

ta

J

'

%'%^^ tljia rop Holiart Oiubaon

grants in same form^ aforesaitre

Kobart

^ti^nsall.'

suffragan bishops of the See.

Company have

of is,

this

bowl

filled

JCIC^* tJapis

^ take these last two to be

Every feast day, after dinner, the with spiced ale, and according to


HALL

322

ON PLATE,

]\IARKS

It has since ancient custom the bowl is drunk round amongst them. had an additional lining of silver, and the Company's arms put upon it in 1669." Archbishop Scrope died in 1405. On the dissolution of the Cordwainers' Company in 1808, it passed into the possession of the Dean and Chapter, and is now kept in the vestry room at York Minster. The silver mounts have been frequently repaired at subsequent dates, and some local hall marks have been detected on close inspection.

The arms of passant guard ant

the city are

:

Argent, on a cross gules, five lions

or.

EXAMPLES. Apostle spoon of the seventeenth cen-

The stamp

tury.

l^&Ji

half Rev.

rose

T

.

a half

Date

lis

and

1626.

Staniforth.

Apostle spoon. ton Church,

A

is

crowned.

Date 1645. D ailingN orthamptonshire.

piece of plate, seventeenth century. Messrs. Hancock.

Ditto.

On

cw

spoon with flat stem, leafshaped end and oval bowl, date Earl of about 1680 to 1690. Breadalbane. (This has also the stamp of a half lis and rose, here omitted by mistake.) a

On

an oval engraved teapot. This that J was used as a date letter previous to 1784, having no duty mark. It may belong to the year 1736, for J of 17 10 would have the Britannia mark of the new standard. Messrs. Hancock.

mark proves


Scotlautr.

EXTRACTS FROM STATUTES AND ORDINANCES, WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES,

OF THE DEACON AND MARKING PLATE. A.D.

In the reign of James II (Scots), a Statute was the reformation of gold and silver wrought by Goldto eschew the deceiving done to the King's lieges, there

1457.

passed for

"

smiths, and shall be ordained in each

Burgh where Goldsmiths work, one underof good conscience, who shall be deacon and man standing cunning of the craft; and when work is brought to the Goldsmith and it be gold, he shall give it forth again m work no worse than twenty grains, and silver eleven grains line, and he shall take his work to the deacon of the craft that he may examine that it be fine as above written, and the said deacon shall set his mark and token thereto, together with the said Goldsmith's and where there is no Goldsmith but one in a town he shall show that work, tokened with his own mark, to the head officials of the town which shall have a mark in like manner ordained therefor, and shall be set to the said work." In 1473 it was enacted that places were to be appointed in Scotland wherein goldsmiths should examine the gold, and when suffi" cient set their marks thereto." ;

GOLDSMITHS. ^lARKS APPOINTED. A.D. 1483. James III. In the records of the Town Council of the year 1483, we read that the goldsmiths, with other trades, under the general title of hammermen, presented a petition complaining of certa"n irregularities " In the first thair complaint bure and specifyit that thay war rycht havely hurt and put to great poverty throw the douncumming of the blak money, walking, warding and in the payment of yeldis and extentis quhilkis thay war compellit to do be use. :


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

324 "

And

in lykwyis that thai were havely hurt be the

dayly mercat

maid throw the hie street in cramis and on the baksyde the toun in haichhng and hammermennis werk pertaining to thame of thair craft in greit dishonour to the burgh and in braking of the auld gude rule and statatis of thair craft and upon uther skathis that thay sustenit in default of reformatioun." " Whereupon it was ordered there should be no oppin mercat usit of ony of the saidis craftis upon the hie streittis nor in cramis " That upon ilk Settirday eftir none tua or thrie upon buirdis," etc. of the worthiest maisters and maist of knowledge of the said craftis, quhilk sail haif powar with ane officiar with thame to pas serch and se all mennis work gif it be sufficient in stuff and workmanschip, gude worth and hable work to serve the Kingis liegis with and quahir it beis fundin faultive to forbid the samyn to be sauld under the paine of escheitt." Also it is advised and concluded by the Lords " of the Articles, That henceforth there be in each burgh of the realm where goldsmiths are, one deacon and one searcher of the craft, and that each goldsmith's work be marked with his oiun mark, the deacon's mark, and the mark of the town, silver of the fineness of eleven penny fine, and gold of twenty-two karats fine."

GOLDSMITHS' MARKS. A.D. 1489. Another statute to the same effect was ordained. By each goldsmith was to have one special mark, sign, and token. His works were to be of the fineness of the new works of silver of Bruges, and there was to be a deacon of the craft, who was to ex-

this

amine and mark the works.

PENALTIES FOR FRAUD. A.D.

1555.

"Forasmuch

as there

is

great fraud,

etc.,

it

is

or-

dained that no goldsmith make in work nor set forth either his own or other men's silver under the just fineness of eleven penny fine under the pain of death and confiscation of all their goods and movables and that every goldsmith mark the silver work with his own mark, and with the town's mark; also that no goldsmith set forth either his own or other men's gold, under the just fineness of 22 karats fine, under the pains aforesaid.'" ;

POWER OF SEARCH. A.D. 1586. Letters under the Privy Seal by King James VI in favour of "the Deacon and Maisteris of the Goldsmyth Craft in Edmburgh," Jany. 3, 1586, which empowered them to search for gold and silver, and to try whether it were of the fineness required by former Acts of Parliament, and seize such as should be deficient. " That it shall not be lawful for any, except the masters of the craft.


SCOTLAND.

325

gold or silver work unless it be first shown to them to has been stolen (the libertie of our Soveraine Lordis cunyiehous alwyis exceptit)." This gave them the entire regulation of the trade, separating them finally from all association with the to melt any see whether

it

"hammermen"

or

common

Ac/ and SiaUite of

the.

smiths.

Town

Council of Edinburgh in favour of the

Corporation of Goldsmyths, August 20, 1591.

"The samm day

the Provost bailies

and

counsell,

and Adame

Newtoune, baxter, Cudbert Cranstoun, furrour, William Blythman, flescheour, Thomas Weir, masoitn, Robert Meid, wobster, William Cowts, walker, Thomas Brown, bonetmaker, of the remanent deykins of crafts being convenit in counsall anent the supplicatioun gevin in before thame be George Heriott, deykin of the goldsmythis, for himselff and in name and behalff of the remannet brether of the said craft."

The tenor of these articles, which were agreed to, referred to the taking of apprentices for a term of seven years, that every master shall have served his apprenticeship, and three years over and above, to make himself more perfect therein, and have given proof to the deacon of the craft of his experience both in workmanship and knowledge of the fineness of the metals, etc. Only those admitted by the deacon and masters were to work, melt, or break down, or sell any gold or silver work, under penalty of twenty pounds, or imprisonment. That no goldsmith melt any work without first showing it to the deacon to see whether it was stolen, nor gild any lattoun or copper work. By the foregoing enactments it will be seen that only three marks are referred to, namely, the goldsmith's mark, the deacon's mark, and the town mark -the first was the initials of the maker's name, the second the initials of the deacon's name, and the third the castle, indicating the city of Edinburgh and nothing is said about a variable letter. The first mention of it we find in the Minutes of the Goldsmiths' Company is in September, 1681, when a small black letter a was ordered to be the letter for the ensuing After this the letter is ordered annually in alphabetical order, from to Z, in cycles of twenty-five years, omitting the letter J. In many cases the letter is stamped at the top of the page with the identical punch used for the plate.

year.

A

CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. A.D 1687. James VII. This Charter, incorporating the Society of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh, dated November 10, 1687, ratifies the letters patent of James VI, of January 3, 1586, in every respect, and amplifies their power in many instances, such as granting them the privilege of an Incorporated Society, with power to acquire, purchase, possess lands, etc., enact statutes and laws for the regulation of the trade, etc.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

326

because the art and science of goldsmiths, for the most in the City of Edinburgh, to which our subjects exercised part, frequently resort, because it is the seat of our supreme parliament, and of the other supreme courts, and there are few goldsmiths in other cities; Therefore we by these presents give and grant to the

"And is

and masters, full power, faculty and authority to inall vestigate, inquire into and examine the gold or silver work, and gems and stones set in gold or silver, or made and wrought in any said deacon

other city, royal burgh, or barony, market or any where within our said kingdom," etc.

fair,

or exposed to sale

The Charter of 1687 did not prevent silversmiths in other towns of Scotland from manufacturing plate and placing their own marks by the s;de of the attesting stamps of the various towns, so placed by competent assayers appointed by the Edinburgh Goldit was not imperative to have it assayed at Edinburgh, or even at Glasgow, until the Act of 18^6. The sale of plate thus marked in the provincial towns was evidently legal, as Hence we find that at Glasgow, the Charter did not prohibit it. Aberdeen, Montrose, Inverness, Perth, Dundee, Stirling, St. Andrews, and other towns of less note, as Banff, Tain, Leith, etc., plate was assayed and marked although, from the imperfect knowledge of the town marks, their punches could not be identified, and they have been usually set down as foreign and sold as old silver, being conofficially

smiths'

Company, and

signed to the crucible. It is with the view of appropriating these hitherto unknown marks to the places of their adoption that we give short notices of the insignia of the Royal Burghs of Scotland, for at many of these places plate continued to be marked until the Act of Parliament relating solely to Scotland, of 6 and 7 William IV (1836) expressly prohibited the sale of newly mamifactiired plate in Scotland, unless assayed and stamped at Edinburgh or Glasgow. In our endeavours to trace these Scottish provincial marks to their source, we have to acknowledge the kind assistance of the Earl of Breadalbane, whose name will be found appended to many interesting examples.

MARK OF THE THISTLE INTRODUCED. The first entry in the books of the Goldsmiths' Comof pany Edinburgh where THE THISTLE is noticed is in the year 1759; and after that date, for about twenty years, the minutes year by year particularly name the thistle to be used (instead of the Assay blaster's initials) along with the letter for the year. A.D. 1759.


SCOTLAND.

327

SALE OF PLATE PROHIBITED IN SCOTLAND UNLESS ASSAYED AND MARKED AT EDINBURGH OR GLASGOW. 6 & 7 William IV. Entitled, "An Act to fix the A.D. 1836. standard qualities of gold and silver plate in Scotland, and to provide for the assaying and marking thereof. "Section 2. And be it enacted that on or before the ist day of October, 1836, every goldsmith, silversmith, or plate-worker, or person carrying on any of the said trades in Scotland, and also every person who at any time after the ist day of October, 1836, shall follow the trade of goldsmith, silversmith, or plate-worker before he shall exercise the same, shall send or deliver either to the Wardens of the Incorporation of the City of Edinburgh or to the Wardens of the Glasgow Company a written statement of his Christian and surname, place of abode, etc. " Section 3. Every such goldsmith, silversmith, and platsworker, or person carrying on any of the said trades in Scotland,

stamp or strike his mark upon all gold or silver plate (except such as are hereinafter excepted)* which he shall make or cause to be made after the ist October, 1836, and bring or send it to the A.ssay Office of the Incorporation to which he shall have delivered his name and address and mark aforesaid, together with a note of the weight, quality, etc. and such gold plate as shall be ascertained to be not less in fineness than 22 karats of fine gold in every pound weight Troy, and such silver plate as shall be ascertained to be not less in fineness than 1 1 ounces and 2 pennyweights shall first

;

of fine silver in every pound weight Troy, shall be marked at such Assay Office as follows^ that is to say, with the mark of the th'stle and such a distinct variable letter, denoting the year in which such plate shall be marked, and also with the mark or marks used by the Incorporation at whose Assay Office the same shall be assayed; and such gold plate as shall be ascertained to be not less in fineness than 18 karats of fine gold in every pound weight Troy shall be marked with the figures 18 in addition to the said several marks therein before required; and such silver plate as shall not be less in fineness than 11 oz. 10 dwts. of fine silver in every pound Troy shall be marked with the figure of Britannia in addition to the several other marks hereinbefore required.'' A more recent Act of 1842, 5 & 6 Vict, relating to the stamping of foreign plate, and the prohibition of its sale in the United Kingdom unless assayed and stamped at the appointed Assay Offices as being of the legal standard, under certain penalties, extends to Scotland. The Act of 7 & 8 Vict, 1844, "Criminal Law Consolidation," does not extend to Scotland or Ireland. *

The exemptions are the same

as in

England

(see iiage 95).


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

328

17 and 18 Vict, 1854, legalising the lower standards and 9 karats, however, applies to Scotland. The Act of 30 & 31 Vict., 1867, stating that, in addition to the usual hall marks, the letter F shall be stamped on foreign plate, as

The Act of

of

15,

12

well as the sections relating to licenses also extends to Scotland.

Total of Marks now Scotland

silver plate in

required to be stamped on gold

and

:

GOLD. 1.

Quality in karats (22 or

2.

The

Standard Gold.

<

3.

rampant fi.sh,

and

tree, fish,

and

bell.

(5 marks.)

3

18).

Edinburgh or the

lion for Glasgow. Mark of the assay town, castle, or tree, thistle for

4.

Date-letter.

5.

Maker's mark.

I.

Mark

Lower

of the assay town, castle, or

bell.

Qualities.

2.

!

(4 marks.) ^

Quality marked in karats (15,

3.

Date-letter.

4.

Maker's mark.

12,

or

9).

Although paying duty as well as the higher standards, these debased qualities are not honoured with the duty-mark of the Queen's head

SILVER. The standard mark of

the thistle for Edinburgh, the lion rampant for Glasgow. The mark of the assay town, castle, or tree,

Silver

New II

Standard,

oz.

10

fish,

dwt

and

bell.

Date-letter.

(5 marks.)

Britannia.

Maker's mark. 1.

Old Standard, II.

oz.

2 dwt.

2.

The standard mark of

the thistle for Edin-

burgh, or lion rampant for Glasgow. Mark of assay town, castle, or tree, fish,

and

bell.

(4 marks.) 3.

Date-letter

4.

Maker's mark.

The Glasgow Assay Office has used the thistle as an additional mark since 1914, on silver, and gold of 18 and 22 karats.

optional


SCOTLAND.

329

GOLD AND SILVER PLATE DUTY, SCOTLAND. 1720 1758 1784 1803 1817 1890

Duty on silver, 6d. per oz. Duty repealed and licence substituted. Duty on gold 8s., and silver 6d. per oz. 1

6s.

IS.

Duty

3d.

6d. on silver plate abolished. IS.

17s.

LICENCES. The VIZ.

licences to deal in plate are also the

same as

in

England,

:

For gold exceeding

2 dwts.

annum For gold 2 upwards

and under 2 oz., and and under 30 oz., per

.........

for silver exceeding oz.

5

dwts.

and upwards, and

silver

30 per

oz.,

2

6

o

i^5

15

o

and

annum


Stotlmib.

EDINBURGH. The arms of the city of Edinburgh are Argent, on a rock f roper, a castle trifle towered, embattled sable, masoned of the first and to f fed with three fans gides, windows and -portcullis closed of :

The crest is An anchor, wreathed about with a cable, both The supporters Dexter ; a maid richly attired, hair hanging down over her shoidders proper. Sinister ; a doe also proper. Motto, Nisi Dominus Frustra.

the

last.

:

proper.

:

I.

For Edinburgh say Master's

THE STANDARD MARK. A

THISTLE

(after 1759); before that, the

For gold of 22 karats, a thistle and 22. For gold of 18 karats, a thistle and 18. For silver of 1 1 oz. 2 dwt., a thistle. The standard mark was the Deacon's initials from 1457

The

As-

initials.

present

mark

is

H.

to 1759.

:

THE HALL MARK.

A

For Edinburgh Castle with three towers, introduced in the fifteenth century (1457). It is referred to in the before-quoted Act, and again in 1483 and 1555; before that the Master's initials.

The

three towered castle

now used

Assay

is

:


EDINBURGH.

III.

331

THE DATE MARK.

A

Letter of the Alphabet. The custom has been to use the from A to Z, omitting J, thus making a cycle of twenty-five years (with some exceptions); introduced 168 1, and changed on the first Hall day in October every year, by Minute of letters alphabetically

Incorporation.

A

chronological List of Edinburgh Date Letters from 1882-3 by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of

to 2082-3, has been printed

Edinburgh.

The following table is arranged from the Minutes of the GoldCompany of Edinburgh, where the date letters appear noted

smiths'

almost every year from 168 1, verified by pieces of plate bearing The goldsmiths' year is from ]\Iichaelmas to Michaelmas (September 29). Previous to 168 1, when our table commences, no date-mark appears to have been used. On a piece of plate said to be of the sixteenth century, exhibited at Edinburgh in 1856, in the Museum of the Archaeological Institute, we hnd a castle (the middle tower higher than the two others, as usual), and two other stamps of the dates.

letter E. These are, perhaps, the town mark. Assay Master's, and maker's mark. The silver mace belonging to the City of Edinburgh, and known from the town records to have been made by George Robertson in 16 17, has three marks, viz., the castle, the cipher G. R.,

and the letter G. The High Church plate, dated 1643, and the Newbattle Church others of the same date, have only plate, dated 1646, and several Master's the the town mark, mark, and that of the maker. Assay IV.

THE DUTY MARK.

The Head of the Sovereign, indicating payment of the duty. was omitted on the debased standards of 15, 12 and 9 karats on Jt gold, although subject to the same duty as the higher standards. was introduced on December i, 1784, and remained in use until April of the duty. 30, 1 890, when it was discontinued on the abolition It

v.

THE MAKER'S MARK.

1457, and was formerly afterwards the device, with or without the maker's initials initials of his Christian and surname were used, accompanied by the

The maker's mark was introduced about

some

Assay Master's

:

initials only.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

332

THE MARK FOR FOREIGN PLATE.

The assay mark under the before-mentioned Orders in Council of 1904 and 1906 for foreign plate is for gold :

(St.

And

Andrew's Cross.)

for silver

The

late Assay Master, ^Ir. Alexander Keir, kindly gave us the marks used at the Edinburgh Office, and Mr. L. D. of copies Corson, the joint Clerk of this Assay Office, has been good enough

to give us further particulars. Our thanks are due here again to the representatives of the late Mr. W. J. Cripps, C.B., for permitting us to include some authorities given by the late Mr. J. H. Sanderson for the Tables of Edinburgh hall marks, the property in which had passed to that gentleman.


EDINBURGH ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS.




EDINBURGH ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE

CYCLE

9.

Uomax

Black Lkttkr Small.

EDWARD

VICTORIA.

1882-B

1894-5

1883-4

1895-6

VII

10.

Capitals.

& GEORGE

V.

1906-7

ffl

1918-9

1907-8

@

1919-20

1896-7 1884-5

1908-9

1920-1

1909-10

1921 2

1897-8

D

1885-6

1898-9

d)

1886-7

George V

E

1910-1

1899-00 1887-8

P(

1911-2 I

1900-1

1888-9

Q[

i

1912-8

Hdward VII

1901-2

1889-90

(D

u Ky

1913-4

1902-3

1890-1

1914-5

1903-4

1891-2

1915-6

1892-3

@

1893-4

4.

Five Marks. The Castle. The Thistle. The Maker's Mark. The Date Letter.

5.

Sovereign's

1.

2. 3.

1890.

1904-5

Head

until

1905-6

FODR 1.

2. 3.

4.

h

1916-7

@

1917-8

Four

^[ARKS.

The Castle. The Thistle. The Maker's JFark. The Date Letter.

1.

2. 3.

4.

FOCR

JIabks.

The Castle. The Thistle. The Maker's ^Nlark. The Date Letter.

1.

2. 3. 4.

>[arks.

The Castle. The Thistle. The :Makor'8 Mark The Date Letter.


EDINBURGH.

337

The preceding Table of Assay Office Letters and the following List of Plate are taken from a communication by the late Mr. J. H. Sanderson to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, published in Vol. IV of their "Transactions" in 1862, page 544, and plate xx, Vol. IV, and we have to acknowledge with thanks the kind permission accorded to us by the Council to reprint any portions of the paper bearing upon the subject. Our indebtedness to the late Mr. was duly acknowledged J. H. Sanderson for his valuable assistance in the preface to our first edition of 1863, which we have reprinted in this edition.

FROM WHICH THE ANNUAL LETTERS HAVE BEEN TAKEN, MANY OF THEM BEARING

LIST OF PLATE

DATES.

CYCLE

L

Most of the letters in this cycle are taken from the Minutes of the Goldsmiths' Corporation, in many cases from an impression of the actual punch given on the paper. Those from plate are :

A Jug, the property of the late Lord Murray. There seems to have been another form of B. used this year, as on the Duddingston Communion Cups, dated

B.

1682-3.

E.

1685-6. Auchtermuchtie Communion Cups, "gifted Ross," bearing date 1686.

N.

1693-4. Trinity

1682.

George side,

College

Stirling," the

Communion Cups, "the

gift

of

arms of Edinburgh engraved

in-

and bearing date

A

1693. at Messrs. C. R.

&

Son.

R.

1697-8.

S.

1698-9. Trinity College Communion Cups, a gift, Edinburgh inside, and dated 1698.

W.

1701-2.

by Janet

Cup

New North

arms of

Kirk Communion Cups, "the gift of

Mr. William Archibald," 1702. Y.

New North Kirk Communion Cups, "the gift of John Cunningham of Bandales," 1704.

1703-4.

CYCLE C.

D. H. P.

II.

Lady Yester's Communion Cups, "presented by Thomas Wilkie," 1708. Another C. New North Kirk Baptism La^er, "gifted by Mary Ereskin," 1708. 1708-9. Eddleston Communion Cups, bearing date 1709.

1707-8.

17 1 2-3. 17 19-0.

A

pair of Candlesticks, at Messrs. C. R.

&

Son.

Punch Bowl, Royal Company of Archers, bearing

date 1720.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

338

CYCLE

III.

O.

1/3 1-2. Sugar Basin, Messrs. Mackay & Chisholm. 1743-4. Silver Club, the Edinburgh Golfers, bearing date

T.

1748-9.

U.

The Old Church, St. Giles's, bearing date 1750. 1753-4. Dinner Spoon, Mr. Stewart.

B.

1744.

Dinner Spoon, Mr. Munro.

1749-0.

Y.

CYCLE

Communion Cups,

IV.

Mackay & Chisholm. Old Chapel of Ease Communion Cups,

B.

1756-7. Teapot, Messrs.

H.

1762-3.

St.

bert's Parish, 1763.

1763-4. Baptismal Laver, ditto, ditto, 1763.

I.

Cake Basket, Messrs Mackay & Chisholm. Snuffer Tray, late Lord Murray. Sugar Basket, Messrs. Mackay & Chisholm. Spoon, Captain Gordon of Cluny.

M.

1766-7.

N.

1767-8.

P.

1769-0.

Q.

1 770- 1. 177 1-2. Salt Cellar, Messrs. C. R. & Son. 1772-3. Spoon, Captain Gordon of Cluny. 1777-8. Salver, Messrs. C. R. & Son. 1779-0. Spoon, Mr. Munro.

R. S.

Y.

V.

CYCLE

V.

E. K.

1784-5. Medal, Royal Company of Archers, 1785. 1 790- 1. Cup, Messrs. C. R. &- Son.

L.

1

R.

1797-8. Spoon, Mr. Sanderson. 1802-3. Spoon, Mrs. Aitchison.

W.

791 -2. Medal, Royal

Company

CYCLE A. D. E.

1

G.

1

H.

of Archers, 1792.

VI.

1806-7. Salver, Mr. Nisbet.

1809-0 Pepper-Box, Messrs. C. R. 8 10- 1. Salver, Mr. Nisbet.

&

Son.

812-3. Basin, ditto, 18 12. 18 1 3-4. Spoon, Mrs. Aitchison.

L.

1

T.

1825-6. Mr. Sanderson.

8 17-8.

Medal, Royal Company of Archers,

Cycles VII, VIII and

IX

181!

require no proof.

Cuth-


EDINBURGH MARKS.

339

EXAMPLES. George Robertson, maker of the mace of the city in 1617. Mr. J. H. SanPaper, Transaction'; of the Society of Antiquaries, Scotland, Vol. IV, p. 543, and plate xx. derson'' s

"

On

the Dalkeith Church plate there no date, but it is known from the records to be older than that of Newbattle" (dated 1646). /^i^. 13

From

the plate belonging to Trinity College Church, Edinburgh, bearing date 1633. Ibid. (The castle is omitted by mistake in the cut.)

On

a Quaigh, hemispherical bowl with flat projecting hollow handles, on one A C, on the other I M'^L; engraved outside with full-blown roses and lilies. The initials I M^'L are found as a maker on the Glasgow Sugar Castor (p. 346). Date Earl of Breadalbane. 17 1 3.

i^^

On

K^DI

S

a Table Spoon, French pattern, tail. On back of spoon are four marks: (i) maker's unknown; (2) castle; (3) deacon's mark; (4) rat's

HG

LL

date-letter

U. Date 1749.

Earl of

Breadalbane.

On

a Dessert Spoon, French pattern. date-letter is the old English of 1757, showing that the thistle was used in this year, as before

The

C

stated.

1757.

^H

[pH

Maker unknown. Earl of Breadalbane.

Date

Maker's name unknown. Date 1766. Earl of Breadalbane. -

%>

Spoon.

Date 1837./. P.

Siott,

Esq.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

340

GLASGOW. The arms of the city of Glasgow are: Argent, on a mount in base vert, mi oak tree proper, the stem at the base thereof surmounted by a salmon on its back also proper, ivith a signet ring in its mouth or; on the top of the tree a redbreast, and in the sinister fess point The halfan ancient hand-bell, both also proper. The crest is vested and Jtis right St. mitred, affrontee Kentigcrn length figure of hand raised in the act of benediction, and in his left a crosier, all The supporters Two salmon proper, each holding in its proper. mouth a signet ring proper. Motto, LET GLASGOW FLOURISH. :

:

The bearings

of the western metropolis are to commemorate the St. Kentigern (also called St. Mungo), the patron saint of the city, with reference to the recovery in the fish's mouth of the lost ring of the frail Queen of Caidyow.

well-known miracle of

An ancient seal attached to a deed of the sixteenth century bears a full-faced head of the saint, mitred, between an ancient square bell, fish and ring on the dexter, and a bird on a tree on the sinister side,

inscribed

"

Sigillum comune de Glasgu."

(Laing's Ancient

Seals.)

The ancient marks on plate made at Glasgow previous to the Act of 1 8 19 were i. The city arms, a tree with a hand-bell on one side, and sometimes a letter G on the other, a bird on the top branch, and a fish across the trunk, holding a ring in its mouth enclosed in a :

very small oval escutcheon. 2. The maker's initials, frequently repeated and 3. A date letter but it is at present useless to attempt to assign correct dates of manufacture before 18 19. ;

;

The parliamentary inquiry of 1773 did not extend to Scotland, Glasgow was made an assa\- town by the 59 George III (May, 1 8 The district comprised Glasgow and forty miles round, and 19). it was directed that all plate made in the district should be assayed at that office. The peculiar mark of the com^pany is a tree growing cut of a mount, with a bell pendant on the sinister branch, and a bird on the top branch, across the trunk of the tree a salmon holding in its

mouth a

signet ring.

The marks used on since the I.

is

:

Act of 1819

The Standard,

the silver plate

stamped

at

Glasgow

are

:

a lion rampant.

The

present form of which


GLASGOW. 2.

The Hall Mark, being

the

341

arms of the

city, a tree, fish

and

bell.

as an additional optional mark on 3. The Thistle, has been used gold of eighteen and twenty-two carats, and on silver. 4. The Maker's Mark, viz., his initials. i in every 5. The Date Mark, or variable letter, changed on July year.

The Duty Mark of the sovereign's head. Abolished 1890. For gold of twenty-two and eighteen carats the figures 22 or 18 arc added, and for silver of the New Standard Britannia is added. The Scottish Act of 6 and 9 Wm. IV (1836-7) in some respects extended to Glasgow, although it is generally regulated by the 59 of George III; but they have not adopted the marks prescribed by this statute of 1836, and continue those previously in use. The only difference, however, is that the lion rampant takes the place of the 6.

thistle.

The lower gold standards of fifteen, twelve and nine carats bears the marks of .025, 15 .5, 12; and .375, 9, respectively, together v.-ith the tree, fish and bell, and the date letter. ;

\\

TJie Mark for Foreign Plate under the as for gold

Order

in Council

of 1904

:

(Bishop's Mitre.)

r

And

for silver

:

The assay mark of Order of

this office is now, 1906, for foreign plate for gold

by the before-mentioned

:

(Double block

letter

F

inverted.)


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

342

And

let

for silver

:

The Assay Master, Mr. D. D. Graham, has been good enough to us have copies of the marks used at the Glasgow Assay Office.


GLASGOW ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS.



GLASGOW ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE

4.

Script Capitals.

VICTORIA, Edward

-^-

@)

EDWARD

VII

& GEORGE

V.

VII

1902-H

1907-8

1912-8

1908-4

1908-9

1918-4

1917-8

i

1918-9 1898-9

1919-00 1904-5

1899-00

1909-00

1914-5 1920-1

George V

1900-1

1905-G

1910-1

1915-6

1901-2

1906-7

1911-2

1916-7

ForR 1.

Lion rampant. Fish, and Bell

2.

Trot',

3.

Thistlo.

:Mahks. 4.

Dato Letter.

5.

^Maker's

Mark


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

346

EXAMPLES. These marks are on the narrow rim of the foot of an elegant silver Tazza, chased in centre with bold leaf bordered with engrailed scrolls, lines.

The work

time of Charles

is

II,

evidently of the Messrs.

1670-80.

Hancock. These four stamps are found on an

mm

(#)

M

iMgfOl

oval silver box, originally made to contain the wax seal appended to d diploma granted by the University. The cover is finely engraved, having in the centre the University mace and an open Bible above. On each side are represented the objects composing the coat-of-arms of Glasgow, viz., to the right a tree, with a bird perched on the top branch, to the left a hand-bell, and at the base a salmon on its back holding a signet

Surmounted by ring in its mouth. the motto of the University, " Yia Veritas Vila," instead of that of the city,

"Let Glasgow

flourish."

The

usual case to contain the diploma is made of tin; but this, being of sterling silver, was probably presented to some person of great distinction.

Dated about 1700. In the possession of the Earl of Breadalbane.

On

7M]

fs

a sugar castor, chased with festoons of roses. This maker's initials are also found engraved on the handle of a Ouaigh of Edinburgh make of 17 1 3. The Earl of Breadalbane.


SCOTTISH MARKS.

347

SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL MARKS. ABERDEEN. The arms of ivithin a

this city are

Gules, three towers triple towered,

:

double tressure flowered and count er-fiowered argent.

The

Two

leopards proper. Motto, BON ACCORD. The town arms of three towers, triple towered, sometimes two and one, and sometimes one and two, was also used in the eighteenth

supporters are

:

century.

The Town Assay Office mark adopted at Aberdeen consisted of two or more of the letters in the word, thus the letters A B D, with a mark of contraction above, and later A B D N, as in the following example Aberdeen. On a Table Spoon, handle :

turned up, and ridges in front of stem, elongated oval bowl, date about 1780. Earl of Breadalbane.

VM\ VMM^ O.i

Aberdeen.

/Au

On

Circa 1880.

a

Tr.

small Caddy Spoon, K. Macdonald, Esq.

ARBROATH. The arms

of this burgh are

:

A

portcidlis beneath a wreath of

laurel.

These arms were used

as a hall

mark on

the silver

worked

at

this place.

/^y^]

If^^

fol

|?>]

[fs^l

li^ lOj

IfsH

Arbroath. 1880.

Tr.

On Fork, with shell pattern. Circa K. Macdonald, Esq.

BANFF.

A shaped

matrix in the office of the Town Clerk of Banff bears an oval" seal of a boar passant, Insignia Urbis Banfiensis." Laing's

Seals.

The arms of the town of Banft are Gules, the virgin standing and holding the infant Christ. The mark used in this burgh varied very much, but it generally consisted of the name BANFF, or a contraction thereof. :


HALL ^lARKS ON PLATE.

3^8

EXAMPLES. iBAl

H

Banff. Dessert Spoon, French pattern. Earl of Breaaalbane. Banff. Dessert Spoon, French pattern, with king's head. Earl of Breadal-

[IAI

rBANFl (D(

hane.

Banff. Table Spoon. French pattern. Earl of Breadalbane. Banff. Table Spoon, French pattern, with king's head. Earl of Breadalbane.

mm(i) m

DUNDEE The arms

(Angus).

are: Azure, a -pot of lilies argent.

gent. Supporters Two shield. Motto, "DEI :

vert, tails

dragons

DONUM

Crest

A

:

lily ar-

knotted together below

''

The town mark adopted by

the

with two handles containing three

Dundee Assay

lilies,

as

shown

is a pot following

Offices

in the

EXAMPLES. Dundee.

On a

pair of Sugar Tongs, shell Earl of

iind fiddle pattern, about 1880.

Breadalbane.

Dundee.

On

a Table Spoon, oval bowl, leaf-shaped end, date, E.arl of Breadalbane.

rat's tail, flat stem,

circa 1660.

Dundee. century.

Tea Spoon, ,

fiddle

head,

last

Earl of Breadalbane.

Dundee.

W\W\W\ [M\

IF.

Small Spoon, nineteenth century. K. Macdonald, Esq.

ELGIN. The arms

of the burgh of Elgin are A bishop standing, holdhand an open book^ and in his sinister a bishop's :

ing in his dexter crosier.

The assay towns of Aberdeen, Inverness and Banff in the adjoining counties adopted abbreviations of their names, usually the nrst two or three and the last letters, thus: ABDN, INS, and BA; hence, on the same principle, Elgin used The annexed marks are on a Table Spoon, with oval bowl, the end of the handle or stem turned upwards 'ELN S^)& //^\ with a ridge down the centre a <^C^ ^^"^ form in use from about 1730 to In the Earl of Breadalbane' s 1 760.

ELN

.

:

l

Collection.


LEITH.

349

GREENOCK. Several marks were used in this burgh. Sometimes a ship in sometimes an anchor, and sometimes a green oak. The whole of these marks are occasionally found on a single article. The arms are A three-masted ship in full sail, in base on a full sail,

:

quay, two

men

rolling casks, all proper.

INVERNESS. There have been goldsmiths 'n this town since the middle of the seventeenth centur}-. The mark generally used was INS, as a short form of the name of the town. A dromedary or camel, and a cornucopia, were also sometimes employed. The arms of this royal burgh are Gtiles, on a cross Calvary the Saviour proper. But on the seal of the burgh there appears A dromedary turned to the sinister. :

:

EXAMPLES.

m

INS

CJ INS

^

On a Tea Spoon, fiddle head, date about 1820. with a cornucopia, the crest of the town of Inverness. Earl of Breadalbane. Inverness. The camel, one of the supporters of the city arms. On a larg5 annular Scottish Brooch, flat, with engraved Vandykes, and CI a cluster of fine small annulets Inverness.

between each. Maker's mark, and another of the same, larger, as Deacon. Attributed to Chas. JamiEarl of Breadalson, circa 18 10. bane.

LEITH. From the fact of several pieces of plate having been bought here bearing the stamp of an anchor, which indicates its position as a harbour for shipping, we are inclined to attribute this mark to The circular object with rays, which accompanies it, yet remains to be explained, but in another example here adduced it is placed by the side of the thistle the standard mark of Scotland. The crest of Edinburgh is an anchor wreathed about with a cable; but in this instance the cable is omitted. The arms of this port are A two-masted galley, bearing a taberLeith.

:

tiacle

containing the Virgin, seated holding the infant Christ.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

350

EXAMPLES. 50I

[vve]

1^

Five Tea Spoons, French pTitEighteenth century. Earl of Breadalbane. Leith. Tea Spoon and Tongs, French Eighteenth century. Earl of pattern. Breadalbane. Leith. Caddy Spoon, shell shaped bowl, fiddle head, with Scottish standard mark and that of a provincial town; no duty letter, but made about Earl 1820, judging from the fashion. of Breadalbane. Leith. A Scottish Brooch of conventional form, with circular broad band, plain surface, short pin at back with hinge and clasp; stamped behind with Earl of Breadalbane. five marks. Leith.

@

@

tern.

($)

m

ai^si

MONTROSE A

(Angus).

as relative to the name, carries roses. Thus, in Argent, a double rose Register, the arms are given as gides, with helmet, mantling, and wreath suitable thereto. The town mark, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, was therefore a rose or double rose, in a shield or circle.

the

Burgh Royal,

Lyon

:

PERTH. The arms of

the city of Perth {alias St. John's

Town)

so called

Reformation are An eagle displayed with two heads or, surmounted on the breast with an escutcheon gules, charged with the holy Lamb, passant regardant, carrying the banner of St. Andrezu, ivithin a double tressure, floivered and counter-floxuered argent, with " the hackneyed motto, PRO Rege LEGE ET GREGE." Goldsmiths have been established in this city from early times. In the middle of the seventeenth century the town mark was the lamb bearing the banner of St. Andrew. Somewhat later the doubleheaded eagle displayed had come into use, and continued to be used until the beginning of the present century. since the

:

EXAMPLES. On

a small quaigh, or cup with two handles, date about 1660, with these

RG

two marks only. The lamb and

emblem of

flag,

John, being the arms of St. John's Town, as Perth was formerly called. C. A. North, Esq. St.


STIRLING.

Split /.

351

head Spoon. Date H. Walters, Esq.

circa 1675.

On

a set of Table Spoons, French patwith rat tail on back of bowl, date about 1760. Some have four marks of spread eagles only, without the shield on the breast, as used re-

m Mm

tern,

Earl of Breadalbane. a Dessert Spoon, fiddle head, date circa 182Q. The spread eagle part of the City arms, on its breast a shield with the lamb and flag of St. cently.

On

RK

John

;

made by Robert Kay,

silver-

smith, at Perth, in 181 5. Ditto. On a set of four Salt-Cellars, gadroon edge on three legs and claws the

l^

seven marks arranged in a circle underneath, with the town mark in the centre, three maker's initials, and date circa three town marks round

M

1

ST.

8 10.

Ditto.

ANDREWS

(Fife).

On

a matrix of a privy seal in custody of the Town Clerk of is a wild boar passant, secured by a rope to a rugged " staff. Sigillum Secretu Civitatis Sancti Andree Aposti." Another seal, affixed to a deed dated 1453, bears a full-length The counter seal has a figure of a bishop holding a crosier, etc. In the lower part of the figure of St. Andrew extended on his cross. " seal is a wild boar passant, in front of a tree, inscribed around, CURSt.

Andrews

SUS (Apri) Regalis." Zi;?^'.y Ancient Seals. The arms of this city are Gitles, on a saltire the figure of St. Andrew, in base a wild boar passant, and tree, within belt inscribed DUM Spiro Spero. :

STIRLING. The seal is a lamb couchant on the top of a rock, inscribed with " the motto, Oppidum Sterlini." The ancient seal of the Corporation bears " A bridge wdth a crucifix in the centre of it; men armed with bows on one side of the bridge, and men with spears on the other, and the legend, Hie Armis Bruti, Scoti stant hac cruce tuti.' " On the reverse, a fortalice surrounded with trees, inscribed " Continent hoc in se nemus et castrum Strivilense.'' :

'

24


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

352

"Burke's General Armoury" gives the arms of the town, as at Azure, on a mount, a castle triple towered without present used windows argent, masoned sable, the gate closed gtdes, surroimded by four oak sprigs disposed in orle of the second, the interstices of the field being semee of stars of six points each of the last, and motto as above. The only mark found on silver that can be assigned to this town is a castle triple towered in irregular shield. :

Stirling.

On

an oblong Tobacco-Box engraved on

the cover with two coats of arms surmounted by a ducal coronet. The town mark is a castle, triple towered, as described above, having beneath the letter S to distinguish it from a similar mark at

The maker's (?) mark, a mermaid

Edinburgh.

and

star,

and

his initials

G

B.

Earl of Breadal-

bane.

TAIN rSTGl

I

T^A T ATI

(^'i\

Tain.

(ROSS-SHIRE).

On

a pair of

Toddy

Ladles, date about

i^oo.Earl of Breadalbane.

UNCERTAIN SCOTTISH MARKS. Unknown.

(ADj

/^j^

\^fj

(

ADj

These three stamps are on the inside of a silver lid of a shell Snuff-Box. Date about 1800. In the possession of the

Earl of Breadalbane. Unknown. On a fiddle head provincial llbcGHl

Toddy

mark of some town

Ladle,

in Scotland.

Made circa 18 10. Representing an otter or badger on a wheat ear (?) and the letters I. & G. H. Earl of Breadalbane.

On a seal top Spoon, of English or Scottish make, of the seventeenth cenThe tury, the baluster end well finished. monogram inside the bowl, the animal on the back of the stem. Letters on the bottom, "^^.Lady Dji Cane.

Unknown.

1624.

Uncertain. i^Query Edinburgh.) These four marks are on the bottom of a Mug with one scroll handle, broad mouth, repousse pyriform ornament round the lower part. The small mark is that of the maker, the other two those of the Deacon, probably the same silversmith. Date about 1680. Messrs. Chisholm. Mackay

&


3:rtlaub.

DUBLIN. CHARTER OF INCORPORATION. The Goldsmiths' Company of Dublin has the exclusive management of the assaying and marking of wrought gold and silver plate in Ireland.

The harp, and subsequently, A.D. 1638, the harp crowned, was the original hall or district mark for all Irish manufactured plate assayed in Dublin and found to be standard, and was used long previous to the charter granted by Charles I, December 22, in the year 1638, in the thirteenth year of his reign, to the Corporation of Goldsmiths of Dublin, Ireland. This charter adopted for Ireland the standards then in use in England, viz 22 karats for gold, and " II oz. 2 dwts. for silver. The harp crowned now appointed by his " been in use ever since, in pursuance of a has continued Majesty clause contained in that charter, and also by the Act 23 & 24 Geo. Ill,

c.

23,

s.

3 (1784).

The Journals of

the Goldsmiths' Company from 1637 until the present time are still in existence, and a complete list of the Masters and Wardens of the Company from that date until 1800 has been printed by Mr. H. F. Berry, M.A., together with. the list of Apprentices

from 1653 to

A

it

1752.

date mark was used in Dublin from a very early period, as appears to have been in use previous to the year 1638.

STANDARDS. LEGAL PUNCHES. A.D. 1729. The Irish Parliament enacted that all 3 George II. articles of gold and silver should be assayed at Dublin by the

Assay

Master appointed by the Company of Goldsmiths, the standard of gold being fixed at 22 karats and silver at 11 oz. 2 dwts., and ordered that the articles should be marked with the marks then used, viz.,

the harp crowned, a date-letter,

and the maker's

initials.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

354

DUTY IMPOSED AND MARK OF

HIBERNIA.

The figure of HiBERNIA was used by order of the A.D. 1730. Commissioners of Excise in the year 1730, when a duty was first ounce imposed, to denote the payment of the same, viz., sixpence per on manufactures of gold and silver plate, which has been used ever since on every standard of Irish plate.

REDUCED STANDARDS OF GOLD. NEW GENEVA. 23 & 24 George III, c. 23. In this year a Com1783-4. Watchmakers came to Ireland, and commenced Geneva of pany an establishment near Waterford, and the place or locality of this establishment was called New GENEVA. An Assay Office and a A.D.

Deputy Assay Master or Assayer were granted to them at that place. This Act came into operation on June i, 1784, and repeals so much of the 3rd of Geo. II as respects the assaying of gold, or regulating the manufacture, assaying, or exchange or sale of gold, or the duty on any manufacture of gold in Ireland. The watch manufactory at New Geneva was discontinued about 1790, having only lasted six years.

The only standard of gold allowed by the Act 3rd George TI that of 22 karats fine this was altered by the above Act, whereby three standards are provided of 22, 20 and 18 karats fine respec-

was

;

These standards were authorised to facilitate and encourage the manufacture of gold and silver wares and watch-cases, etc., in Ireland, and especially at New Geneva. This establishment and Assay Office did not continue to work over five or six years, and with this exception the Assay Office in Dublin has been and is the only one in Ireland, and has power and jurisdiction in all parts of Ireland. " By the i ith section of this Act it is enacted, That on and after the 1st June, 1784, every person making, or causing to be made, any manufactures of gold, are to enter an impression of his or her new marks or punches made as aforesaid, with his or her name and place of abode, in either of the said Assay Offices, upon paying the sum of five shillings to the Assayer or Wardens, who are hereby required to make, on a plate of pewter or copper, impressions of such marks or punches; and also entries of such marks or punches, with the names and places of abode of the owners thereof, in a book or books to be carefully kept for that purpose, if such owners be resident in Dublin or at New Geneva. And that no person or persons shall be entitled to have any manufactures of gold made, or caused to be made by him or her, assayed or stamped at either of the said Assay Offices, until after same have been stamped by the maker, and until after such impression and entry have been made at such office of the mark or punch of said person or persons, which denotes the particular standard of such manufactures of gold; and that no manufacture of gold shall be assayed or stamped at the said Assay Offices, if marked with any other mark or punch but such as is duly tively.


IRELAND.

355

and that no manufacture of gold shall be assayed or at such Assay Offices unless such gold work be marked with the mark which denotes the true standard of same."

entered;

stamped

DUBLIN ASSAY OFFICE MARKS. 1638 to 1729. mark. 1

806 to

1

marks

3

4 marks

807.

harp crowned, date

:

harp, date

:

letter,

letter,

Hibernia,

and

maker's:

and maker's

initials.

1807 to 1882. 5 marks: harp, date bead for duty, and the maker's initials.

Total of Marks now plate in Ireland

letter,

Hibernia, sovereign's

required to be stamped on gold

and

silver

:

GOLD. '

3.

Quality in karats (22). Harp crowned. Hibernia (Dublin assay mark,

4.

Date-letter.

5.

Duty-mark

6.

Maker's mark.

I.

Standard

2.

ist,

22 karats (6 marks).

(first

first

used 1730).

used in 1807).

'

I.

2.

Standard 2nd, 20 karats, (6 marks).

Quality in karats (20). Plume of three feathers.

3.

Hibernia.

4.

Date-letter.

5.

6.

Duty-mark. Maker's mark.

'

I

2.

Standard

3rd, 18 karats

(6 marks).

3.

Hibernia.

4.

Date-letter.

5.

6. '

3

Standards (4 marks). .

(18).

Duty-mark, sovereign's head. Maker's mark.

2.

Quality, karats and thousandths in one stamp. Hibernia.

3.

Date-letter.

4.

Maker's mark.

I.

Lower

Quality in karats Unicorn's head.

SILVER. '

I.

Harp crowned.

Old Standard,

2.

Hibernia.

2 dwts.

3.

Date-letter.

II

oz.

(5

marks). ^

Tslo

Duty-mark. Discontinued 1890. Maker's mark.

4. 5.

New

Standard

stiver is

marked

in Ireland.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

356

FOREIGN PLATE ASSAYED AND MARKED. The several Assay5 & 6 Victoria, c. 47, ss. 59, 60. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland are directed and empowered to assay and mark foreign manufactured gold and silver plate; and also to assay and mark, at any of the said Assay Offices, gold and silver plate manufactured in any part of the said United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Previous to the passing of this Act, each of the Assay Offices had power only to assay and mark gold and silver plate manuA.D. 1842. Offices in the

factured within their own districts. N.B. The mark punch of the resident shopkeeper, or importer of plate, is required to be registered, in respect of assaying and marking foreign plate, or plate manufactured out of the district of the Assay Office that it is sent to be assayed at; but the maker's marks are not required unless he is resident in the city or town or district of the assay. The variable letter of the year is the date-mark, and is im-

pressed on

manufactured gold and

all

silver plate that is

stamped

Office in Dublin, in accordance with the practice of the Goldsmiths' Hall in London; but the letter, and also the character of the letter, used in Dublin in each year is not the same as is used at the

in

Assay

London

in each

corresponding year.

REDUCED STANDARDS OF GOLD. &

It was enacted that from and lower standards for gold wares were allowed in addition to the standards of 22, 20 and 18 karats, fixed by the Act 23 & 24 Geo. Ill (1784). The figures 15, 12 and 9, and thousandths parts to be stamped denoting the true quality of the same. The marks of the harp crowned and the sovereign's head

A.D.

after

17

1854.

December

although subject to the same duty

are omitted, standards.

There are one for

18 Victoria.

22, 1854, three

six legal standards

as

the

for gold in Ireland

higher

and only

silver.

DRAWBACK. An Act to amend the laws .29 & 30 Victoria, c. 64. to the Inland Revenue. Section 15 provides for allowing relating drawback on plate made in Great Britain exported from Ireland, and on Irish plate exported from Great Britain. A.D. 1866.

GOLD AND SILVER PLATE DUTY. The

duties were

on gold and

silver.

first

The

imposed rates were

in

1730 at 6d. per ounce both in 1807 by the Act of

doubled


IRELAND.

357

47 Geo. Ill (Sess. I), c. i8, which was repealed by Statute Law Revision Act, 1872 (No. 2). The receipt of the duties was committed to the Excise Department, until by the Act of 6 Geo. IV, c. 118, it was transferred to the

Department of Stamps.

1807. 47 Geo. Ill, Sess. 2, c. 15. "An Act to provide for the regulating and securing the Collection of the Duty on Gold and Silver Plate wrought or manufactured in Ireland." is still in force, except Sects, i, 2 and 12, repealed by Revision Act, 1872 (No. 2). Sects. 3 and 4 relate to the assaying and marking by the Assay Master, etc. Sect. 5 provides for a written note to be delivered of certain particulars, and of the weight of every parcel of gold or silver, and for payment of the duty.

This Act

Statute

Law

As

Sect. 6. Sect.

assayed

to accounting for the duty.

Allowance of one-sixth of duty on goods sent to be a rough state.

7.

in

As to filing of notes and accounts of duties to be kept in books. Sect. 9 provides for books being lodged by Assay Master with Goldsmiths' Company, and for inspection of such books. As to payment of the duties. Sect. 10. Sect. 8.

Sect. II. As to any Deputy Assay ^Masters paying the duty and accounting.

Sects.

to

13

17.

in the

Penalties for various offences

country

and mode of

recovery. 1842.

"An Act to assimilate the Stamp 5 & 6 Vict, c. 82. Duties in Great Britain and Ireland, and to make Regulations for collecting and managing the same until the Tenth day of October, 1845." (Partly repealed by 8 & 9 Vict., c. 76, s. i, and 33 & 34 Vict., c. 99.) Sect. 1.

47 Geo.

Ill,

Sect.

Repeal of duties on gold and s.

c.

c.

granted by

185.

PLATE DEALERS' LICENCES From

silver plate

18.

Duties on gold and silver plate to be the same as by

2.

53 Geo. Ill,

I,

IN IRELAND.

1 1785 to 1804 were per annum. 2 per annum. In 1805-6, In 1807, in the City of Dublin and in any city or town sending In any other part of Ireone or more members to Parliament, ^. 2. land, In 18 1 2 it was raised to 5 and 2 guineas. The licences were the same as in In 1842. Act 5 & 6 Vict. England, viz., for 2 dwts. and under 2 oz. of gold and under 30 oz. 2 6s.; above that quantity, of silver, '5 15s.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

358

The maker's marks were in use, and were also registered, at the time of the passing of this Act and for many years previously, in accordance with other Acts of Parliament and the practice of the London Hall. The manufacturers were required to stamp and register their mark punches in the Assay Office in Dublin, previous to the year 1694, and this practice has been continued to the present time.

These three standards of 22, 2c and 18 karats, directed by this Act, were continued by another Act, subsequently passed, namely, the 47 Geo. Ill, sess. 2, c. 15, s. 3, August 10, 1807, and are still in use.

By

same Act,

the

without alloy, or

KING'S A.D.

may

sell

gold

HEAD DUTY-MARK. DUTY INCREASED.

1807.

marks for

c. 23, s. 29 (Ireland), no refiner less fine than with one grain per ounce.

47

George

III, sess.

2, c.

do not seem but were those which were in use silver in Ireland,

15,

s.

to be

3

(Ireland).

The

determined by the

in 1807, or as settled by Statute, the Commissioners of Taxes. By Section 6 of this Act, the stamp of the King's head, or head of the reigning sovereign, was now for the first time added to the others to denote payment of the duty, but no notice was taken of the former mark of Hibernia, and both marks were used. The duty v;as raised to one shilling per ounce oh gold and silver plate. (The

duty on

silver plate abolished 1890.) the same Act, sect. 15, both buyer and seller are liable to a By penalty for plate without the required marks.

STANDARD OF SILVER IMPROVED. A.D.

1825.

6

George

IV,

c.

118.

A

small

Roman

letter e is

found for the date towards the end of this year, succeeding the capital letter E. This was done in compliance with the order of the Commissioners of Stamps, to denote the transfer of the duty from the Commissioners and Collectors of Excise to the Commissioners of Stamps; and also to mark the change of the standard of silver made in Ireland at that time, by having to adopt the practice of the London Hall in marking silver plate, at an allowance of only one pennyweight and a half below the standard this was also by brder of the Commissioners of Stamps, and according to the 47 Geo. Ill, sess. 2, c. 15. Previous to this order, Irish manufactured silver plate used to be marked in Dublin, at some periods, as standard, at an allowance of from two and a half to three and a half pennyweight worse than the standard; consequently Irish sterling, manufactured previous to that date, was inferior to English sterling, and to the Irish sterling subsequently

manufactured.


IRELAND. The standard, For Dublin.

as ordered

359

by the Act of

1784.

Gold of 22 karats; a harp crowned and the numerals

22.

Gold of 20 karats; a plume of three and 20. Gold of 18 karats; a unicorn's head and Silver of 11 oz. 2 dwt.

;

18.

a harp crowned.

Three Lower Standards, under the Act 17

For Dublin.

feathers

&

18 Vict,

c.

96, 1854.

On

these the mark of the standard proper (a harp croivned) is omitted, and although subject to the same duty, the mark of the Sovereign's head was also withheld, but Hibernia is used as a hall-

mark.

Gold of 5 karats a stamp of 5.625 (thousandths). Gold of 2 karats a stamp of 2.500 Gold of 9 karats a stamp of 9.375 1

1

;

;

1

1

;

For Neiu Geneva.

Gold of 22 karats; a harp crowned with a bar across the strings and 22. Gold of 20 karats; a plume of tivo feathers and 20. Gold of 18 karats; a unicorn's head with on the neck and 18.

L

THE STANDARD MARK.

The harp now used corners cut off

collar

is

placed in an upright oblong, with the

:

II.

THE HALL MARK.

A

For Dublin. figure of HiBERNIA, used since 1730, on gold or silver of every standard. The figure of Hibernia is also now placed in a similar outline :


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

36o

III.

THE DUTY MARK.

The Sovereign's Head, first used in 1807 to denote the payment of duty on silver and on the higher standards of gold of 22, 20 and 18 karats; but not on the lower gold of 15, 12 and 9 karats, although paying the same duty. Discontinued on silver in 1890. IV.

THE MAKER'S MARK.

Formerly some device, with or without the initials of the goldsmith; later the initials of his Christian and surname.

v.

THE DATE MARK.

The time appointed for the letter to be changed, and the new punches put in commission, is May 29 or 30 in every year; but this date has not been strictly adhered to, the changes having been made at various later periods in some years. From 1638, the year in which the Communion flagon was given by Moses Hill to Trinity College, Dublin, the fact is clearly estab-

confirmed also by the Charter granted by Charles I on December 22, 1638, that a Roman letter for that year was adopted, commencing with A. No other examples between 1638 and 1679 have come under our notice, but in the latter year we have a chalice lished,

Old English 18, followed in 1680 by the tankard preserved Merchant Taylors' Company, bearing an Old English (5, Following the order of the alphabet, plate was doubtless stamped

with the in the

down to The

1686, finishing with J. unsettled state of Ireland during the next six years will account for the cessation of work at the Dublin Assay Office. In

1693 the letter 3^ (next in succession) was adopted, and continued down to fl in 1700. At this time the Act of William

alphabetically

1700, reappointing the provincial offices for adopting the or Britannia standard, and making it imperative on all the provincial offices to discontinue the old, may have operated in Dublin, where the new standard was never made, so that a few years in

III,

new

elapsed before work was resumed. It appears, from no examples having been discovered during this period, that in 17 10 the Hall recommenced stamping old standard plate with the letter

may have

next in succession (the top of the shield being escalloped), down in 1 7 17, thus completing the Old English alphabet. In 171 8 a new alphabet was commenced, and as we have met with two court-hand letters A and C, whilst Mr. W. J. Cripps (" Old English Plate," edition 1878, page 419) gives a letter B in the same hand (although no authority is quoted in his list of specimens), we

^,

to

Z

have adopted his suggestion, which

is

probably

they represented the years 1718, 17 19 and 1720.

correct, viz., that


IRELAND.

361

In 1 72 1 Old English letters were used, and continued with to Z, in all twenty-five uninterrupted succession (omitting J) from In 1746 Roman capitals commence, and we have to acknowletters. ledge with thanks the permission of the representatives of the late Mr. Cripps to introduce his arrangement of Roman capitals from 1 77 1 to 1820. It seems unaccountable and contrary to the practice of every other Assay Office to repeat the same character of letter in four successive cycles^the custom has always been to vary the style of alphabet in succession; but at Dublin we have Roman capitals from 1746 to 1845, just a century, the only variations in the hall marks being the introduction of the king's head duty-mark in 1807, and apparently a distinctive form of shield, which, however, was not strictly adhered to throughout each cycle. The arrangement of the tables is still unsatisfactory, and it is to be hoped the promised assistance of the Royal Irish Academy will enable us to clear up the Mr. Thomas Ryves Metcalf more than existing discrepancies. twenty years ago furnished us with extracts from the local Acts of Parliament and extracts from the Minutes of the Goldsmiths' Company recording the Assay Office letters and dates; but he could not do more than give us Roman capitals without any variation of type, hence the present uncertainty, and I am compelled to add, the incompleteness of our Dublin Tables. We frequently meet on silver plate of the seventeenth century and the punch of the maker's initials; the stamp | STERLING

A

|

sometimes in two

STER lines,

thus

LING

I

Ster

/

/

Hng

\

^

These marks are attributed by Irish silversmiths and collectors to Cork, at which city there was no Government Assay Office but in conjunction with that of the maker, it was considered a sufficient guarantee in the South of Ireland, without the trouble and expense of sending all the plate to Dublin to be hall marked. The Dublin Goldsmiths' Company may appoint assayers for any part of Ireland. ;

THE ASSAY MARK FOR FOREIGN PLATE. The assay mark under plate

was for gold

the Order in Council of 1904 for foreign

:

(Shamrock.)

And

for silver


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

362

The assay mark of this office was altered as follows, by the before-mentioned Order of 1906, and is now for foreign plate for gold: (Boujet.)

And

for silver

:

Mr. S. W. Le Bass, the late Assay Master of the Goldsmiths' Company, kindly gave us valuable information for previous editions of this work, and Mr. A. Le Bas, the present Assay Master of the Company, has most courteously given us copies of the present marks

used at Dublin.


DUBLIN ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS.


DUBLIN ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE

5.

Black Litter Capitals.



DUBLIN ASSAY OFFICE LETTERS. CYCLE

CYCLE

12.

13.

Black Lettee Capitals.

VICTORIA,

^1

S M

EDWARD

VII.

& GEORGE

1896-7

1905-6

1897-8

1906-7

1898-9

@

1899-00

dj

m m

1900-1 Edward

VII

1901-2

m

1902-3

GEORGE

V.

m

1914-5

a

1916-7

1917-8

1915-6

c

1907-8

V.

1918-9

1908-9

1919-20

1909-10

1920-1

Georg-e V.

1910-1

1911-2

1903-4

1912-3

1904-5

1913-4

Fotm Mares. 1.

Harp crowned, Plume,

2.

Maker's Mark.

or Unicorn.

3.

Date Letter.

4.

Hibernia.


DUBLIN MARKS.

367

EXAMPLES. Two Tankards

presented in 1680

Guild of St. John. Date Merchant 1 680- 1. Taylors'

to the

Company.

And

scroll

Dublin Exhibition.

feet.

a

Box with

Piece of Plate. Date Messrs. Hancock.

1725-6.

Mace, dated 1728. The top embossed with the royal arms. Messrs. Hancock.

Two-handled Cup.

Date

1739-0.

Messrs. Hancock.

gilt Sugar Sifter. Date 1785-6./. H. Walter, Esq.

Silver

1

[W^3

Spoon.

Date 1803-4./.

P. Stott,

25


Ctjfouolosical iist of Spttimtns of 3:nsi) palate.

DATE.

1638-9

1679-0 1

680- 1

MAKER.

VB ES AG

ARTICLE.

Communion Flagon;

given by Moses Hill in Trinity Coll., Dublin. Messrs. WaterChalice, with IHS engraved. house. 1638.

Great

Tankards.

680- 1

IS

pany, London. Box, with scroll

1682-3

IS

Tazza Bowl.

1

Merchant

feet.

Taylors'

T. G. Willes

Com-

Sand ford,

Esq.

(mon.) Octagonal Casket, with Chinese Figures. T. G. Willes Sandford, Esq. Cup; given in 1696. Mansion Honse, Dublin.

1693-4

dono

ex Dublin.

.Cup,

1694-5

,^ 1

1695-6

DK

M

1696-7 1697-8

Mrs. Bischoffsheiin.

M DK

Cup and

Cover.

Buncombe. Sir Jno.

Monteith and Coronal. Flagon, dated 1700.

Trinity

Coll.,

Esmonde.

Earl of Charlemont. Trinity Coll., Dublin.

A

Cup

exhibited in the Dublin Exhibition.

A

Cup

exhibited in the Dublin Exhibition.

Pair of Taper Candlesticks, with Law's name, Exi||6 stamped subsequently. Dublin hibition.


LIST OF IRISH PLATE. DATE.

MAKER.

i6p9-o

DK

IfOO-l

171O-I

1714-5

1715-6 1716-7

1717-8

DK

1718-9

MW LO

1

720-1

1724-5

ARTICLE.

369


370

DATE.

HALL MARKS ON PLATE.


LIST OF IRISH PLATE. DATE.

371



BIBLIOGRAPHY


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

374

AUTHORITIES ON GOLD AND SILVER WARE. The following list may be useful to those who wish for further information about the Goldsmiths' art. It is founded on the Catalogue of the Books in the Library at the Assay Office, Birmingham. Our acknowledgments are due to the Guardians of the Standard of Wrought Plate in Birmingham, for the use of this catalogue. Aldridge, W. J. The Goldsmiths' Repository, 8vo. London, 1789. American Silver. The Work of Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century Silversmiths, exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts, 1906. With an introduction by R. T. H. Halsey, and a technical description of the various pieces, Svo. Boston, 1906.

Ansted, David

T.

by

J.

H. Buck.

The Gold-Seeker's Manual,

Illustrated,

Svo.

la.

London,

1849.

Arundel

Society's Publication. Designs for Goldsmiths, Jewelby Hans Holbein. Illustrated, la. fol. London, 1869. AshbeE, C. R. Modern English Silverwork an Assay, by C. R. Ashbee. Illustrated, fol. London, 1908. Also see Cellini, Benvenuto. Atkinson, T. D., see Foster, J. E. lers, etc.,

:

Church Plate of the City of Chester. IllusLondon, 1907. Wentzel Jamitzers Entwurfe zu Pracht-gefassen in

Ball, T. Stanley. la.

trated,

Bergau, R. Silber

Svo.

und Gold,

facsimiles of the original engravings [1551].

Second Edition, la. Svo. Berlin, 18S1. Berry, H. F. The Goldsmiths' Company of Dublin,

la.

Svo.

Privately printed.

Birmingham. A Catalogue of the Books in the Library Assay Office, Birmingham, 4to. Birmingham, 1900.

at the

4to, Birmingham, 19 14. BOILEAU, Etienne. Livre des Metiers, thirteenth century. Bone Placide. Traite d'Orfevrerie, Bijouterie et Joaillerie, 2

vols.

Paris, 1S32.

Boyle, J. R. The Goldsmiths of Newcastle, Svo. 18S7. Bradbury, Frederick. History of Old Sheffield Plate; being an account of the origin, growth, and decay of the industry, and of the antique silver and white, or Britannia metal, trade; with chronological lists of makers' marks and numerous illustrations of specimens, 4to. London, 191 2. Braithwaite, p. R. p. The Church Plate of Hampshire. Illustrated, 4to. London, 1909. Brook, Alexander J. S. Old Scottish Hall-marks on Plate (from "Old Scottish Communion Plate," by the Rev. Thomas Bums). la. Svo. Edinburgh, 1892. Scottish Plate (from "Scottish

Illustrated,

Old

Illustrated, fol.

Glasgow, 1902.

History and Life.")


BIBLIOGRAPHY.

375

Goldschmiedearbeiten in Livland, Estland und Kurland. Illustrated, la. 4to. Lubeck, 1892. Buck, J. H. Illustrated Old Plate, Ecclesiastical, Decorative, and Makers and Marks. Illustrated, 8vo. Newits Domestic York, 1888. New York, 1903. ditto. New Edition, illustrated, 8vo. Loving Cups, illustrated, 4to New York, 1898. BURCKHARDT, C, and RiGGENBACH, C. De Kirchenschat^ des Munsters in Basel, 4to. Basel, 1862

BUCHHOLZ, A.

:

Burns, Thomas.

Old

Scottish

Communion

Plate.

Illustrated, 8vo.

Edinburgh, 1892.

The Values of Old English Silver and Sheffield J. W. from the Fifteenth to the Nineteenth Centuries. Edited by J. Starkie Gardner. Illustrated, fol. London, 1906. Castellani, M. a. a Memoir on the Jewellery of the Ancients.

Caldicott, Plate,

4to, N.D.

Cellini, Benvenuto. Treatises on Goldsmithing and Sculpture. Translated by C. R. Ashbee. Illustrated, imp. 8vo. London, 1898.

Chaffers, W.

Hall Marks on Gold and Silver Plate.

tion, la- 8vo.

London,

First Edi-

1863. 8vo.

Second Edition, la. Third Edition, la. 8vo. Fourth Edition, la. 8vo.

London, 1865. London, 1868. London, 1872. Fifth Edition, la. 8vo. London, 1875. Sixth Edition, la. 8vo. London, 1888. Seventh Edition, la. 8vo. London, 1891. Edited by C. A. Markham. Eighth Edition,

la.

8vo.

Lon-

don, 1896.

Edited by C. A. Markham. Ninth Edition, illustrated, la. London, 1905. Handbook to Hall Marks on Gold and Silver Plate. Edited by C. A. Markham, 8vo. London, 1897. London, 1902. Reprint, 8vo. Second Edition, 8vo. London, 1907. Third Edition, 8vo. London, 1913. Fourth Edition, 8vo. London, 191 3. Gilda Aurifabrorum, a History of English Goldsmiths and Plateworkers, la. 8vo. London, 1883. New Edition, la. 8vo. London, N.D. New Edition, la. 8vo. London, 1899. Collins, James E. The Private Book of useful Alloys and Memoranda for Goldsmiths, Jewellers, etc., 8vo. London [1871]. Cooper, Rev. T. S. The Church Plate of Surrey, 8vo. 1902. Crichton, Lionel and Philip. The Antique Church Plate of St. Mary Abbot's, Kensington, 8vo. London, 1893. The Antique Church Plate of the Chapel Royal, Kensington London, 1894. Palace, 8vo. 8vo.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

3;6 CRIPPS, W. J. Domestic;

Old English its

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Makers and Marks.

i8;8.

-

-

-

Second Edition, 8vo. London, 1881. Third Edition, 8vo. London, 1886. Fourth Edition, 8vo. London, 1891. Fifth Edition, 8vo. London, 1894. Sixth Edition, 8vo. London, 1899. Library Edition, la. 8vo. London, 1901. Eighth Edition, 8vo. London, 1903. Old French Plate; its Makers and Marks,

8vo.

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1880.

Second Edition, 8vo. London, 1893. College and Corporation Plate a Handbook to the Reproductions of Silver Plate in the South Kensington Museum, from Celebrated English Collections, 8vo. London, 1881. London, 1881. ditto. Large Paper, la. 8vo. English Plate Marks; giving Tables of the Alphabetical Extracted from the Date-Letters and other Hall Marks. Author's larger work. 8vo. London, 1882. :

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trated,

la.

8vo.

Gloucester, 1906.


BIBLIOGRAPHY. Evans,

J.

37;

T.

The Church

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;

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The Church

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An Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue of the ColAntique Silver Plate formed by Albert, Lord Londesborough. Illustrated, 4to. London, i860. Fallow, T. M. Yorkshire Church Plate; begun by the late T. M. Fallow, M.A., F.S.A, completed and edited by H. B. McCall, Volume I, containing: The City of York; The North Riding; The East Riding. Illustrated, Svo. Leeds, 191 2. Ferguson, R. S. Old Church Plate in the Diocese of Carlisle. Edited by. (Cumberland and Westmoreland Antiquarian and London, 1882. Archaeological Society.) Illustrated, 8vo. Flindt, p. Entwiirfe zu Gefasscn und Motiven fur GoldschmieFairholt, F. W. lection

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in the City

of

in the

County

in the

County

in the

County

Notes on the Church Plate now existing in and Hitchin in the Diocese of St. Albans, 8vo. St. Albans, 1888. GARDNER, J. Starkie. Exhibition of a Collection of Silversmiths' Work of European Origin. Burlington Fine Arts' Club, 4to.

Gardiner, RE^^ E. R.

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1901.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

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An

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BIBLIOGRAPHY. The Church

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379

Plate of the Diocese of Bangor,

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The Old

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in

The Old

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The Gold and Letchworth, 191

A

Silver of

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Catalogue of the Objects

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1.

in

Gold and

in the Collection of the

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The History and Object of

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191

Silver

and

the Li-

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Jewellery, i2mo.

Lon-

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HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

38o

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C. a.

List of the Plate with the In1 888, P.P.

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The Church Plate

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Le

MOLINIER, E.

tresor

de

la

Cathedral de Coire,

folio.

Paris,

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1853.

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History and Description of the Insignia and Plate belonging to the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the City of Norwich, illustrated, 4to. Norwich, 1890.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY. Goldsmiths of FOURNEL, H. Alemoire

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381

:

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Man-

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St.

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1853-

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Catalogue de la Vente de

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Lon-

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HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

382

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illus-

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BIBLIOGRAPHY. Thorpe, Mary and Charlotte.

383

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1898.

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Wylie, Alfred

B.

Sheffield Plate (Newnes's Library of the

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Ap-

[1907]

Industry Metal Work illustrating the chief proof Art-Work applied by the Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller, Brass, Copper, Iron and Steel Worker, Bronzist, etc.,

Yapp, G.

W. Art

;

cesses

illustrated, folio.

London,

N.D.

26



GENERAL INDEX. Acts of Parliament continued. 38 George III, c. 69 100. 43 George III, c. 69 101. 44 George III, c. 98 101. 47 George III. Sess. 2, c. 15 358. 52 George III, c. 59 101. 55 George 111. c. 185; 101. 59 George III, c. 28 1 George IV, c. 14; 101. 5 George IV, c. 52; 101. 6 George IV, c. 118. G William IV, c. 69 6 & 7 William IV, 327. 5 & 6 Victoria, c. 47 101, 356. 5 & 6 Victoria, c. 56 102. 7 & 8 Victoria, c. 22 103. 12 & 13 Victoria, c. 80 105. 17 & 18 Victoria, c. 96 106. 17 & 18 Victoria, c. 82 107. 18 & 19 Victoria, c. 60 107, 356. 29 & 30 Victoria, c. 64 107, 356. 30 & 31 Victoria, c. 90 107. 33 & 34 Victoria, c. 32 108. 39 & 40 Victoria, c. 35 108. 39 & 40 Victoria, c. 36; 110. 46 & 47 Victoria, c. 55; 114. 53 & 54 Victoria, c. 8 115. 3 Edward VII, c. 255 4 Edward VII, c. 6 115.

A, mark, 209, 218, 228, 237.

AB

mark, 214, 216, 217.

;

Abel, E., gcldsmith, 34. goldsmith, 6. , R.,

;

;

;

mark, 263. Abercromby, R., goldsmith, 257. Aberdeen, 347. AC, mark, 256, 265.

^^

,

;

;

Acton, J., goldsmith, 32. Acts of Parliament 28 Edward I, stat. 3, c. 20, 68. .

;

9 Edward III, stat. 2. c. 2, 71. 37 Edward III, c. 7, 72. 5 Richard II, c. 2, 74. 4 Henry IV, c. 16, 74. 5 Henry IV, c. 4. 74. 5 Henry IV, c. 13, 74. 2 Henry V, c. 4, 75.

:

;

;

;

;

;

8 Henry V, c. 3, 75. 2 Henry VI, c. 14, 76. 11 Henry VI, c. 14, 77.

;

;

;

James II (Scots), 322. James III (Scots), 322. 17 Edward IV, stat. 1, c. 1, 78. James III (Scots), 324. 4 Henry VII, Pari. 3, c. 2, 78.

;

;

;

Mary

(Scots), 324. c. 15, 81. James VI (Scots). 7 8 William III, c. 19 ; 8 9 William III, c. 8; 10 William III, c. 28; 9 9 10 William III, c. 39 ; 12 13 William III, c. 4 ; 1 Anne, stat. 1. c. 9 89. 6 George I, c. 11 90.

;

18 Elizabeth,

& & & & &

;

Acanthus leaf, mark, 209. AD, mark, 347, 352. mark, 246.

84. 85. 86. 87. 87.

,

Addis, J., goldsmith, 41. Ade, goldsmith, 9. Adys, J., goldsmith, 16. M., goldsmith, 16. A F, mark, 226. ,

;

,

;

AG, A H,

3 George II (Irish), c. 3; 352. 12 George II, c. 26 93. 15 George II, c. 20 97. 29 George II, c. 14 97. 31 George II, c. 32 97. 32 George II, c. 24 97. 13 George III, c. 52 98. 23 & 24 George III, c. 23 354. 24 George III, Sess. 2, c. 53; 98. 25 George III, e. 64 99. 37 George III, c. 90 100. 38 George III, c. 24 100. ;

;

J-)

jj,

mark, 367-8, 370. mark, 232, 235, 313. mark, 268.

A

;

;

H M,

mark,

^!^T^,

mark, 217-8.

P

;

253-4.

;

;

AK, mark, 239, A K, mark, 244.

;

270.

AL. mark, 211, 224, 252. Aldridge, W. J., 274.

; ;

385


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

386

Alfred the Great, 4. Allen, J., goldsmith, 255. T., goldsmith, 233.

55.

A M,

Bevan, S., goldsmith, BF, mark, 222. BG, mark, 262. B I, mark, 242, 245. Bi, mark, 251.

Amades, R., goldsmith, 20. Anchor, mark, 269. Anc, mark, 241, 245, 249, 251, 255. Animal's head^ mark, 210.

Bignell, J., goldsmith, 253. Bird, mark, 208, 212. J., goldsmith, 242. Birmingham, 274. Assay Office, 276.

,

Alms

dishes, xxxviii., mark, 227. American silver, 374.

Anketil,

j goldsmith, Annulet, mark, 269. Ansted, D. T., 374.

5.

Assay Office Letters, 279. L, mark, 566. Blachford, J., goldsmith, 58. Blackwell, Darel, Hart and Croft, goldsmiths, 58. Blanchard, R., goldsmith, 40. Bland, H., goldsmith, 6. Blount, R. le, goldsmith, 7. Blundell, R., goldsmith, 28.

B

AO, mark, AP, mark, AR, mark,

247, 252. 212, 267, 291. 240, 243, 262. Arbroath, 347. Archambo, P., goldsmith, 55. Arundel Society's Publications, A S, mark, 352. Ash, F., goldsmith, 36. Ashbee, C. R., 374. Assay, 135. Directions for, 135. towns, Marks of, 275. T, mark, 247, 347. Atkinson, C, goldsmith, 247. T. D., 347. W., goldsmith, 55. Atwell and Ck)., goldsmiths, 49.

374.

,

A

,

,

B M, mark, 265. B N, mark, 253, 269. B O, mark, 242, 247, 251. Boileaiu, E., 274. Boit, C, jeweller, 50.

Bolitho, J., goldsmith, 41. Bolton, J., goldsmith, 41. Bonn^-, T., goldsmith, 34.

Bone, P., 374. Boothby, G., goldsmith, 53. Bowes, 'Sir M., goldsmith, 22. Bovle, J. R., 274.

Austin, W., goldsmith, 14.

A V, A V,

,

BP, mark, BR, mark,

mark, 254, 348. mark, 252.

258. 214. F., 274.

B, mark, 212, 222, 249, 309. B A, mark, 252.

Bradbury, Bradshaw, A., goldsmith, 39. Braithwaite, P. R. P., 274. Brandeburg, G. V., goldsmith,

Ba, mark,

Brattle, Sir J., goldsmith, 39.

249.

W. C,

Baby, T., goldsmith, 15. Backe, J., goldsmith, 241. Baggs, H., goldsmith, 34. Baldwin, goldsmith,

,

Ball, T. S., 374.

Ballard, J., goldsmith, 41. Bamme, Sir A., goldsmith, 12. Banff, 347. Banister, H., goldsmith, 31. Barckwell, E., goldsmith, 35. Barclay, J., goldsmith, 55. Barentyne, Sir D., goldsmith, 13. Barker, J., goldsmith, 57. Barrett, J., goldsmith, 20. Barrier, A., goldsmith, 263. Basins, li. Bateman, H., goldsmith, 266-7. Bavley, R., goldsmith, 249, 256-7. B B, mark, 218, 261.

BE, mark, Bellassyse,

248.

W., goldsmith.

52.

Bellingham, D., goldsmith, 37.

Benn, Sir W., goldsmith, Bergau, R., 374.

,

B

u,

mark, 247.

Buchholz, A., 375. Buck, J. H., 375. Buckle, J., goldsmith, 221. BuUen, G.. goldsmith, 34. Bull's head, mark 210. Burckhardt, C, 375. Burde, J., goldsmith, 26. Burns, T., 375.

B

Y, mark, 224, 270.

58.

Berking, S. de, goldsmith, 11. W. de, goldsmith, 9. Bernes, J., goldsmith, 14. Berry, H. T., 374. Betane, Sir R., goldsmith, 10. ,

goldsmith, 15. Breakspeare, Bridge, goldsmith, 266. J., goldsmith, 60. Brind, H., goldsmith, 258. Bristol Assay Office, 282. Brithmodus, goldsmith, 6. Brocklesbury, R., goldsmith, 30. Broker, N., goldsmith, 13. Brook, A. J. S., 274, 382. Brooke, S., goldsmith, 24. Browne, A., goldsmith, 13. Bryce, Sir H., goldsmith, 19. ,

5.

14.

C, mark, 270.

CA, mark,

252.

Cafe, W., goldsmith, 261. Caldicott, J. W., 375. Calton, T., goldsmith, 21.


INDEX. Cameron,

Cook, T.. goldsmith, 41, 56.

goldsmith, 348. banker, 46.

,

Campbell,

,

387

,

Sir T., goldsmith, 39.

Candlesticks, Iviii. goldsmith, 41. Capill, , Carter, J., goldsmith, 261, 264. R., goldsmith, 264. W., goldsmith, 24. Cartelage, Sir T., 16.

Cookson, I., goldsmith, 256. Cooper, R., goldsmith, 243, 247, 250, Rev. T. S., 375.

Cartwheel, mark, 209. Carwood, T., goldsmith, 41, Cary, N., goldsmith, 41.

Coste, H., goldsmith, 19. Courstauld, A., goldsmith, 50. Coutts, J., banker, 46. T., banker, 46. Coventry, 293. Covered cun, mark, 208. CR, mark,* 339.

,

Cornhill,

,

Castellani,

M.

A., 375. 213, 219, 847. 208, 212, 217, 219, 220-3,

CB, mark, CC, mark, 257, 263.

mark, 251, 269. Cellini, B., 375.

CH,

221. 260.

mark, 241, 244, 256, 258, 265,

271.

1327, 1392, 14G2, 1504,

,

Company

Croker, J., mintmaster, 50. :

70. 74. 77. 80.

Charter to Dublin Company, 352. to Edinburgh Company, 325. Chartier, D., goldsmith, 258. J., goldsmith, 241. Chawner, H., goldsmith, 266. Cheney, R., goldsmith, 31. ,

Chester Assay

Office, 283.

Assay Office Letters, 287. Chicheley, W., goldsmith, 14. Chichester, Sir J. de, goldsmith, 11. Child, F., goldsmith, 53. Sir F., goldsmith, 44, 53. , R., goldsmith, 53. Sir R.., goldsmith, 54. , ,

,

S., goldsmitli, 49, 53.

Christening bowls, xxxix. Christian, C, goldsmith, 257. Chronological List of Plate, 184. goldsmitli, 41, 42. 349. mark, 213, 233-236, 238, 256,

Churchill,

,

CJ, mark,

CK, 350.

CL, mark,

212, 251. Clare, J., goldsmith, 251.

C M, C O,

mark, 230. mark, 243, 245, 247, 248, 250. Cock, mark, 214. Coggs, J., goldsmith, 41. Coker, E., goldsmith, 259. Cole, H., goldsmith, 18. 34. Collins, J. E., goldsmith, 375. Column, mark, 259. Colvill, J., goldsmith, 37.

Coleman, T., goldsmith,

Comins, R., goldsmith, 11. Compasses, pair of, mark, 269. Cone, mark, 208. goldsmith, 7. Conrad, ,

244.

Crab, mark, 212. Crescent and star, mark, 207, 213. Crichton, L. & P., 375. Crespin, P., goldsmith, 55. Cripps, W., goldsmith, 259. AV. J., 276. Critz, J. de, 30.

Chaffers, W., 375. Chalices, xxxii.

Charters to Goldsmiths'

de, goldsmith, 6.

,

C R, mark,

CD,

CF, mark, C G, mark,

H.

Coronation plate, xxxix. Corporation plate, xlii.

,

Cross, mark, 207, 211, 214, 215, 269. Crossley, R., goldsmith, 266. Crowshaw, R., goldsmith, 30. Crump. F., goldsmith, 50. C S, mark, 225. 226, 370. CT, mark, 239, 370.

C

TW,

W

mark, 261.

Cuthbert, Mr., goldsmith, 41.

C W, mark,

262, 263, 265, 322.

D, mark, 207, 212, 231. 239, 270. DA, mark, 240, 248, 271. D enclosing C, mark, 220. Daintry, M., a goldsmith, 57. Daniel, W., goldsmith, 38. Darkeratt, AV., goldsmith, 53. Date mark, 170. Davenport, C, 376. Davy, A., goldsmith, 16. Dawson, N., 376. DB, mark, 237, 240. D C, mark, 243, 258. D D, mark, 267. D E, mark, 245, 246. Crossley, R., goldsmith. 266.

gI

,

mark, 241.

Dealers' Licences, 145. Delamotte, P. H., 383. Dell, S., goldsmith, 241. Delves, E., goldsmith, 24. Denny, W., goldsmith, 241. Dericke, A., goldsmith, 26. F, mark, 222, 228.

D

DG,

mark, 220, 271. mark, 243. Dh, mark, 259. DT. mark, 231, 246. D K, mark, 368, 369. Do, mark, 244.

DH,


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

388

Doe, Sir C, goldsmith, 38. Domestic plate, xliii. Dolphin, mark, 270. Dove, mark, 211.

Evans, J. T., 376. S.J

,

Everard,

-

C,

,

goldsmith, 42. goldsmith, 6. goldsmith, 37. ,

Downes, J., goldsmith, 244. D R, mark, 225, 228, 230. Draeh, C. A. von, 376. Drax, Sir J., goldsmith, 37.

EW,

Drummond,

Office Letters, 299. Sir T., goldsmith, 20-1. EY, mark, 256. F, mark, 223, 270.

Ewers,

J., goldsmith, 41. Exeter, 293.

A., goldsmith, 52.

Assay

Exmewe,

Assay Office, 355. hall marks, 359-62. Assay Office letters, 363. Ducket, If., goldsmith, 8.

Dummier, L., goldsmith 263. Duncombe, C, goldsmith, 41,

FA, mark, Fa, mark,

Dundee, Dunn-Gardner, 376. Dunstan, Saint, 1. Duty, The, 142. licences, 145.

mark, 245, 246, 249, 251-253, 271.

Eagle, mark, 212, 214. Ealey, W., goldsmith, 268. East, J., goldsmith, 249. Mr., goldsmith, 41.

,

goldsmith. 268. Feline, F., goldsmith, 259. 259,

mark, 241.

Edinburgh Assav Assay

Office, 330.

Office Tjetters. 333.

E., goldsmith, 32.

J., goldsmith, 12. Edwards, J., goldsmith, 253. ,

EF, EG,

mark, 259, 264-5, 268. mark, 231, 234, 239, 259. 262. EI, mark, 270. EH, mark, 270, 313. EL, mark, 303-4. Elev. W., goldsmith, 266. Elgin, 248. Eliot, C, goldsmith, 19. Ellis, H. D., 376. Eloi, Saint, 3. Elsinus, goldsmith, 5. Elv, R. of, goldsmith, 10. ,

EM,

Mr., goldsmith, 43. Feguson, R. S., 377. Fells,

Fennell, E., goldsmith, 268. Fetterlock, mark, 215. Feurhuther, R., goldsmith, 20. FG, mark, 209, 230, 232, 237, 239, 254, 260-1. I, mark, 252. Picketts, A., goldsmith, 45. Figure 8, mark, 207. Fish, mark, 207, 210.

F

hall marks, 330-2.

Edmunds,

222, 226.

J., goldsmith, 34. W., goldsmith, 32.

Fearn, AV.,

pi

DB, A

FC, mark, Feak,

,

229, 234, 237, 252, 271. Ecclesiastical plate, xxx. Eckfourd, J., goldsmith, 229. ED, mark, 253.

242, 245, 249, 251,

245.

Fairholt, F. W., 377. Fallow, T. M., 377. Farmer, R., goldsmith, 63. ffarren, T., goldsmith, 257. Faryngdon, Sir W., goldsmith, 8-9. Fawderv, W., goldsmith, 245, 251, 253 F B, mark, 208.

mark, 173. W, mark, 224, 245, 255-257.

EC, mark,

239,

253.

42.

348.

E A,

li.

Ewing,

Dublin, 353.

D

mark, 350.

mark, 304.

J., goldsmith, 268. Endel, P., 376. E P, mark, 371.

Emes,

ER,

mark, 214. ES, mark, 212, 221, 225. 368. Escallope shell, mark, 221.

Fitz Alwyn, H., goldsmith, 6. ritzhugh, W., goldsmith, 14. Fitz Otho, E.. goldsmith, 7. Otho, H., goldsmith, 7. Otho, T., goldsmith. 7. Otho, W., goldsmith, 6-7. Fitzpatrick, J., goldsmith, 7. Fitzwilliam, AV., goldsmith, 6. -

FL, mark, 235, 239. F L, mark, 226, 250. Flael, R., goldsmith, 5. Flag, mark, 212.

Flagons, xxxvii. AV., goldsmith, 252.

Fleming, Fleur de

Ivs,

mark, 208, 210-1.

Flidt, P., 377.

Flower, mark, 211-2. Flover, P., goldsmith, 47.

F M, mark, F N, mark,

212. 2P2.

Folkingham, T., goldsmith, 253. Foreign plate, Mark for, 174.

Esrov, R., goldsmith, 6.

Forks, hii.

ET,"'mark, 268. E V, mark, 235, 239, 256.

Fowles, Sir F., goldsmith, 41, 46.

Foster, J. E., 377.


INDEX. Fox,

J.,

389

Gresham, Sir T., goldsmith, 23. Grundy, W., goldsmith, 262-3. GS, mark, 213, 228, 255-6, 271.

goldsmith, 28.

M., goldsmith, 255. FP, mark, 237. F R, mark, 227. Fr, mark, 251.

^|,

Frances, Sir J., goldsmith, 13.

Guibert, L., 378.

,

Freame,

J., goldsm.ith, 55.

Frensshe, J., goldsmith, 12. Freshfield, E., goldsmith, 377. Frowick, Sir T. de, goldsmith,

F

S,

8.

mark, 230, 232, 234.

mark, 267.

Guiffrey, J. J., 378. Gulliver, N., goldsmith, 253. Gurden, B., goldsmith, 57. Gurney, R., goldsmith, 56, 251, 257. G enclosing W, mark, 255.

Futter, H., goldsmith, 34.

F W, mark,

225, 228-9, 234, 259, 264.

222. ^r, mark, 218-9,

G, mark, 209.

GA, mark,

241-4, 247.

G

enclosing A, mark, 247, 249. Gamble, W., goldsmith, 48, 241, 247. Gardiner, Rev. E. R., 277.

Gardner, J. S., 277. Garrard, W., plateworker, 56. Messrs., goldsmiths, 59. R., goldsmith, 59, 268. Garthorn, F., goldsmith, 2-32, 239, 243, 247. G., goldsmith, 241. G B, mark, 220, 226, 253-4, 271. GD, mark, 223, 227. Gee, G. E., 378. Germain, P., 378. GG, mark, 224, 230, 237, 241. GI, mark, 251. G i, mark, 241. Gibbon, S., goldsmith, 32. Gillois, P., goldsmith, 261. Gilpin, T., goldsmith, 57. GL, mark, 242, 246. Glasgow Assay Office, 340. , ,

,

marks, 340-1. Assay Office Letters, 343. hall

Gloucester candlestick, 5. H. de, goldsmith, 10. William of, goldsmith. 7. Glyn, Sir R., banker, 58. Sir R. C, goldsmith, CO. G O, mark, 218, 244. goldsmith, 11. Godfrey, E., goldsmith, 259. Goldsmiths, English, 1. ,

,

,

,

-,

Company,

378.

Hall, 3. Goose, mark, 233. Gorham, .J., goldsmith, 262. Gosling, Sir F., goldsmith, 58. J., goldsmith, 39. R., goldsmith, 39. W., goldsmith. 39. Gould, T., goldsmith, 55. GR, mark, 229, 248 ,

,

,

G R, mark, 251. G enclosing R, mark,

247. Grapes, mark, 210, 2G9. Green, T., goldsmith, 24, 42. Greenock, 349.

H, mark, 235. H A, mark, 244. Halliday, G. E., goldsmith, 378. Hall, G., goldsmith, 63. Hancock, C. F., goldsmith, 63. ; M., goldsmith, 63.

Hand, mark,

209-10.

W., goldsmith, 51. Hankey, Messrs., goldsmiths, Harache, F., goldsmith, 55. ,

45.

J., goldsmith, 55. P., goldsmith, 43, 244. T., goldsmith, 58. , Harding, R., goldsmith, 19. ,

-,

Harrison, R., goldsmith, 24. T., goldsmith, 15. Haslewood, Rev. F., 378. Hatfield, C, goldsmith, 256. Havard, H., 378. Hawkins of Liege, goldsmith, 12. Hay, T. A., goldsmith, 14. Hayford, Sir H., goldsmith, 16. H., goldsmith, 17. ,

,

HB,

mark, 213, 218, 221, 224, 240,

258, 266, 267. mark, 212-3, 240, 266, 267. mark, 214. mark, 211. Heart, mark, 207. Heath, G., goldsmith, 50.

H C, HD, HE,

Hede, W., goldsmith,

16.

D., goldsmith, 262. R., goldsmith, 262, 266. -, Herkins, M., goldsmith, 24. Heriot, G., goldsmith, 29. Hessey, T., goldsmith, 11. Hethcrington, H., goldsmith, 55. Hevdon, Alderman, goldsmith, 27. F, mark, 231. HG, mark, 225, 227, 267.

Hennell,

H

HH,

^^ H I,

,

mark, 260. mark, 226. mark,

270.

Hillyard, J., gold-finder, 24. N., goldsmith, 27. Hinde, J., goldsmith, 37, 41. Hinton, B., goldsmith, 41. L, mark, 270. ,

H H M,

mark, 214, 220, 259. mark, 226, 228. mark, 243. Holbein, Hans, goldsmith,

HN, HO,

Holbrook, J.

S., 378.

21.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

390

Hollyleaf, mark. 209. Hope, R. C, 378. W. H., St. John, 378. ,

264. j^3^ mark,

IP&Co., mark,

Hore, H., 52. or Hoare, H., goldsmith, 52. or Hoare, J., goldsmith, 24, , ,

41-2.

Sir R., goldsmith, 50, 52. J., goldsmith, 41. N., goldsmith, 41, 50, 52.. Horneby, J., goldsmith, 40. Hough, W., goldsmith, 34. Howard, C. J., 378. ,

Hornboy, ,

HP, HR,

mark, 258-9. mark, 228, 239. mark, 210-1, 218, 243, 254, 264,

H S,

271.

i

T

B, mark, 267. e I TB, mark, 249.

O

I V, I W,

HT,

mark, 226, 235. , Hubert, goldsmith,

260, 320. 210, 225, 229, 230, 236, 238, 257-9, 263. IS, mark, 215, 217, 221, 227, 231-4, 237-40, 253, 256-8, 261, 264-5, 267, 270-1, 348, 369. Issod, T., goldsmith, 238. I _T, mark, 216, 236, 261, 268, 270.

IR, mark,

mark, 232. mark, 223-4, 226, 239, 263, 369,

370.

7.

Hull, 304. Hulson, J., goldsmith, 24. Hunt, J., goldsmith, 61-2. J. M., goldsmith, 61-2. J. S., goldsmith, 61-2.

-Jy^!J

I

mark, 264, 266.

,

Y, mark, 236-7, 263.

, ,

H V, mark, 246. H W, mark, 208.

J A, mark, J a, mark,

264, 339. 242, 244, 246-7, 253. Jackson, C. J., 378. W., goldsmith, 32. Jameson, T., goldsmith, 43. Jav. H., goldsmith, 242, 244,

220.

Hyltoft, J., goldsmith, 11. Hynt, R., goldsmith, 24.

,

mark, 227. mark, 213-6, 220, 232, 254, 348.

I,

I A, jyr^xp,

mark, 255.

I B, mark, 213, 221-2, 226, 229, 232-3, 253, 266, 268. IC, mark. 207, 209, 211, 217, 228-9, 233-4, 236, 238, 242, 256, 261, 263-4, 266, 269, 351, 370. C mI TT mark, 265. ,

D, mark, 213, 232, 238, 266, 270. I E, mark, 254, 257, 270. le, mark, 243. IF, mark, 218, 221, 231, 257, 269-70. IG, mark, 211, 213, 221, 224, 226, 228 253 I&g'h, mark, 352. 1 1, mark, 219, 225-6, 229, 236-7, 239, I

270.

J J J J

C, mark, 240. D, mark, 265. E, mark, 268. Jenner, R., goldsmith. 35. Jerningham, H., a goldsmith, 66. Jewett, H., 378. J V, mark, 258. JG, mark, 262. J L B, mark, 370. JM, mark, 215. mark. 345. Jocee, goldsmith, 8. '

JMLc,

,

Johnson. ,

\^ mark, 322. IK, mark, 230, 236,

J., goldsmith, 41. AV., goldsmith, 34.

Jones, E. A., 379. -, R., 379.

JR, mark, J

IH, mark, 210-214, 220, 233-4, 240. 248, 269. Ih, mark, 233.

S,

260.

mark, 261, 264.

231,

226,

Kayle, H., goldsmith, 28.

K&D.,

mark, 339.

Kd. mark,

,

262-3,

238-9,

265-6, 348.

T L, mark, 255, 262. Ilger, goldsmith, 6. I M, mark, 218, 220, 223-5, 239, 254, ,

262.

IN, mark,

213, 229, 234, 244. Introduction, xix. Inverness, 349. 10, mark, 350, 367, 370. IP, mark, 209, 211, 216, 223, 235, 236, 259, 260, 262, 270.

250.

KE.

mark, 242. Keale, W.. goldsmith,

24.

Keatt, J., goldsmith, 242. Kent, R., goldsmith, 41-2.

Kenton,

F., goldsmith, 39. Mr., goldsmith, 42. Ketch, Mr., goldsmith, 41. ,

T\G&Co.. mark. 224,

247,

253 B, mark, 220, 224, 259.

320.

Kilborn, T., goldsmith, 41. King, J., goldsmith, 266. T. H., goldsmith, 379. ,


INDEX.

391

L, mark, 269.

M&Co., mark,

244-6, 252, 271. Labarte, J., 379. Lacroix, P., 379. Lamb, H., goldsmith, 41. Lambert, F., goldsmith, 62. G., goldsmith, 62, 379.

Mackarnes, J., goldsmith, 32. Mackenzie, W., goldsmith, 261. Madding, goldsmith, 52. Maiden's head, mark, 207. Makepeace, R., goldsmith, 59, 264. Maker's mark, 169. Maninge, Mr., goldsmith, 38. Mansion House, 380. Margas, J., goldsmith, 248.

LA, mark,

,

Lamerie, P. de, goldsmith, 51, 250, 254, 256.

Lancehead, mark, 220. Langford, T., goldsmith, 252. Langley, Sir J., goldsmith, 27. Lapley, J., goldsmith, 41. Lasteyrie. F. de. 379. Latham, R., goldsmith, 21. Laver, 13., goldsmith, 266. Law, J., goldsmith, 54.

LC, mark, ^^', mark,

262.

goldsmith, 246, 253. C. A., 380. Marks, Table of, 164. Marot, Dr., goldsmith, 43. Marriott, G., goldsmith, 34. ,

S.,

Markham,

J., goldsmith, 39.

Maundy, Mawson,

241-6, 250-1. Le, mark, 243. mark, 270. Lea, W., 379.

T., goldsmith, 231. J. and Co., goldsmith,

Mayhew,

Leadham, T., goldsmith, 32. Leaf, mark, 210, 269. Lee, T., goldsmith, 241-2, 246, 250. Leeke, R., goldsmith, 232, 235. Leithe, 349. Leo, goldsmith, 5. Leofstane, goldsmith, 5. Leopard's head, 167. ,

,

52.

Lewis, G., goldsmith, 243, 245. H., goldsmith, 34. Ley, P., goldsmith, 243. Limoges, J., of, goldsmith, 8. Lincoln, 304. goldsmith. 10. J. de, goldsmith, 11. W., goldsmith, 9. Lindberg, C. F., 379. Lindsay, J., goldsmith, 39. Lion passant, 171. ,

J., goldsmith, 13.

M

MF, V>

Q

mark, 260. ,

M G, M H,

mark, 265. mark, 228, 230. mark, 239, 269.

Michell, E., goldsmith, 34. Middleton, G., goldsmith, 46. Millington, J., goldsmith, 254.

M K, mark, 234-5. ML, mark, 242. M M, mark, 225. ^^,

mark, 266.

, ,

Montrase, 350.

,

mark, 207, 209, 219.

LL, mark, LO, mark,

243. 245, 248, 250-2, 270, 369 Lo, mark, 244, 248-50. Lock, N., goldsmith, 244, 248-9. London Assay Office Leters, 177. Londesborough, Ix)rd, 379. Lonyson, J., goldsmith, 27, Louthe, J. de, goldsmith, 9. Love joy, J., goldsmith, 24. Ijovell, R., goldsmith, 248. Lowes, E. L., 379. Lu, mark, 243. Luthmer, F., 380. Littschaunig, A., 380. LV, mark, 263. Lyas, G., goldsmith, 15. Lynche, G., goldsmith, 16.

M, mark.

211, 231, 256.

A, mark, 229, 241, 246, 248, 253, 266, 369.

1

Mazers, xliii. E, mark, 244, 247, 251-2. Meynell, F., goldsmith, 36.

Moffat, H. C, 380. Molinier, E., 280.

,

39,

42.

LET,

A

,

,

LE, mark,

,

346.

Marsh, R., goldsmith, 32. Martin, Sir R., goldsmith, 28. Maserer, S. le, goldsmith, 12.

235, 256, 271.

Le Roy, P., 379. Le Sage, J. H., plateworker,

255

Morgan,

O., 380. 382.

Morlev, J., goldsmith, 28. Morrell, R., goldsmith, 35. Mortimer, J., goldsmith, 61. Moser, G. M., goldsmith, 57.

MP,

mark, 267. mark, 303. Mullet, mark, 208, 222-4, 237.

M u,

Mundy,

Sir J., goldsmith, 21.

MiTschamp, T., goldsmith, 16, 26. MW, mark, 269-70. Myddleton, Sir H., goldsmith, 28. Myers, J. L., 380.

N, mark, 216-7. Nelme, A., goldsmith,

47,

241,

245,

249, 251, 255.

Nelthorpe, H., goldsmith, 42, 225. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 305. Assay Letters, 307. Newhall, H., goldsmith, 24. goldsmith, 30. Nightingale, J. E., 380.

Newman, C,

N K,

mark, 241.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

392

N L, mark, 239. Norrington, B., N o, mark, 211.

Pichon, M. le B. J., 381. Peirson, W., goldsmith, 45. Pillean, P., goldsmith, 261. Pinckney, H., goldsmith, 36. W., goldsmith, 37.

goldsmith, 41.

Norwich, 380. Assay Office, 311.

,

P K, mark, P L, mark,

Notices to the trade, 147.

235, 368. 250-1, 254, 256, 259. Plant, mark, 214. Platel, P., goldsmith, 48. Platts, W., goldsmith, 267. Plumner, W., goldsmith, 263. mark, 234, 237. Pole, T., goldsmith, 13. Pollen, J. H., 381. Poole, J. U., 381. Portman, J., goldsmith, 40. Poulbraine, M., goldsmith, 30. Powell, T., goldsmith, 263. PP, mark, 228, 230, 232, 254, 261, 291. PR, mark, 233, 237, 239. Preedy, J., goldsmith, 267. Prest, W., goldsmith, 13. Price, F. G. H., 381. H., goldsmith, 43. T., goldsmith, 42. Prideaux, Sir W. S., 381. Priest, W., goldsmith, 260. P S, mark, 268. P T, mark, 259. Pugin, H. W., 381. Pulford, A., goldsmith, 291. Punches, False, 150. P Y, mark, 246, 248, 250, 253. Py, mark, 248. Pvne, B., goldsmith, 47, 236, 248, 250, 253.

NR, N

N

mark, 213, 216. S, mark, 211, 258, 260, 269. W, mark, 225.

O, mark, 219. Orders in Council

PM,

:

October 24, 1904, 116.

May

11, 1906, 117.

Ordinance of Goldsmiths' Company, 133G, 71.

Order of 1675, 83. Order of 1876, 110. Order of 1878, 110. Orewell, J., goldsmith

14.

226, 229, 231.

OS, mark,

Otto the Elder, goldsmith, 4. the Younger, goldsmith, ,

Oxney,

W.

Fritz, goldsmith, 5.

S.,

goldsmith, 14.

5.

, ,

P, mark, 217, 236, 239, 254. P A, mark, 242, 249, 252, 256.

P

a,

mark, 245-6, 248, 250-1.

Paine, R., goldsmith, 34. Pantin, M., goldsmith, 50. S., goldsmith, 49. Pardee, T., goldsmith, 42. Pargiter, J., goldsmith, 33. Paris, Goldsmiths of, 381. Parker, J., goldsmith, 59. ,

Parliamentary Commission Reports 1773, 1878, 1879, 1887,

:

148. 381.

R, mark, 235, 245, 255. RA, mark, 220-1, 223, 227, 232, 257,

111, 381. 381.

Ra

269.

mark, 249. Raeburn, Sir H., goldsmith, 59. Ragged: staff, mark, 207. Raibaud, B. L., 381. Ramsav. Dame M., goldsmith, 30. Rankyh, E., goldsmith, 24. Rathborne, R. L. B., 281.

Parr, T., goldsmith, 250-1. Partridge, A., goldsmith, 25. Pasin, A., goldsmith, 381. Patens, xxxiii. Patteslev, Sir J., goldsmith, 15. Payne, H., goldsmith, 50, 242, 245-6, 252, 259. R., goldsmith, 265. T., goldsmith, 265. PB, mark, 221, 227, 239, 260, 266. PE, mark, 241, 246, 249. 254, 271. Peacock, E., goldsmith, 248. Pearce, E goldsmith, 249. Peet, H., 381.

I

;

Rawdon, E., goldsmith, 16. Rawson, "\V., goldsmith, 39. Raynham, T., goldsmith, 11.

I

,

,

,

RB,

'

:

3.

goldsmith, 30. Percefull, P., goldsmith, 42. Perchard. P., goldsmith, 63. Perryn, J., goldsmith, 33. Perth, 350. P G, mark, 221-2, 254.

Pemberton, Sir

P H,

J.,

mark, 239-40, 254, 256. Philip, Sir M., goldsmith, 16. Phillips, J. A., 381.

219-20,

223,

214, 216-9, 222-4, 238-40, 260, 266, 269, 292. D, mark, 208-9, 225, 231.

233,

216,

370.

RC, mark,

i

,

Peg tankards,

mark, 208,

256-8, 352,

I

i

I

I

i

i

R ^ DH, H R

mark, 262.

DS, mark,

263.

S

Re, mark,

247, 249, 253.

I

,

^^

mark,

265.


INDEX. Reade, Sir B., goldsmith, ,

Ry, mark,

19.

229.

Ryland, A., 382. RZ, mark, 255.

J., goldsmith, 249, 253.

Records 26 Henry

393

:

II, 68.

22 Henry III, 68. 43 Edward III. 73. 2 Richard II, 73. 15 Elizabeth, 81.

Redman, W.,

mark, 232, 234, 269.

S,

SA, mark,

262, 271.

Andrews, 351. Sage, M., 382. St.

382.

Reid, J. J., 382. goldsmith, 14. Remonde, Reynolds, J., goldsmith, 30.

Salisbury, 313.

RE, RG.

SC. mark,

,

mark, 210-1, 223, 225, 240. mark, 237, 241, 258, 266, 268,

270, 350, 369-70.

^^

|

RH, mark, 230, 233, 235, 266-7. R I, mark, 256, 260, 264, 270, 339. Ri, mark,

f^

303.

Riggenbach, C, 382. Ris-Paquot, 328. RK, mark, 351, 369. RL, mark, 232-3, 235, 258. RM, mark, 208, 212, 215, 220, 223, 225, 227, 268, 271.

^^, R N, RO,

mark, 264. mark, 229, 349. mark, 242, 244, 248.

,

,

227,

,

,

,

Smithes, G., goldsmith, 30. Snell, G., goldsmith, 34, 41. J., goldsmith, 41-2. Snow, Sir J., goldsmith. 36. T., goldsmith, 49. ,

,

SO, mark,

215, 233, 236, 242, 270.

Solis. v., 382.

Solomon, of Elv. goldsmith, South, E., goldsmith, 34.

14.

233, 238-9. 260, 352. mark, 213-6, 221-4, 241, 256,

mark, 216, 222.

,

SM,

229-30, 235, 238, 371. Rugg, R., goldsmith, 261-2. Rundell, goldsmith. 266. E. W., goldsmith, 60. , P., goldsmith, 60. Ruslen, J., goldsmith, 236.

-^^

goldsmith, 253.

Sleath, G., goldsmith, 248-9, 252, 256. mark, 264, 266. Smith, D., goldsmith, 263. -, J., goldsmith, 50, 221, 261.

R R

370.

J.,

Seale, J., goldsmith, 42. Selys, goldsmith, 17. Soman, B., goldsmith, 14. 379. Sere, F., Seymour, T., goldsmith, 47. SF, mark, 215. SH, mark, 234-6, 239, 248. Shaa, Sir E., goldsmith, 17-8. Sharrington, Sir W., goldsmith, 23. Shaw, Sir J., goldsmith, 19. W., goldsmith, 260-1. Sheffield Assay Office, 313. Assay Letters, 317. Shellev, P.," goldsmith, 30. Shell, 'mark, 269. Shirley, R., goldsmith, 30.

Sick, J. F., 282.

Roskell, A., goldsmith, 61-2. R., goldsmith, 61-2. Rosnel, P. de, 382. P, mark, 23, 214, 216, 262. R, mark, 261-3.

RW,

238, 241. 212.

Simpson, G., goldsmith, 24. S K, mark, 208. SL, mark, 210, 248-50, 252. SL'B, mark, 371.

Rosenberg, Dr. M., 382.

W., goldsmith,

SD, mark, SE, mark,

SI, mark, 232, 244-5, 251, 265.

Rosette, mark, 2G9.

^^, mark, 223. Rowe, T., goldsmith, 40, 42. R S, mark. 210, 216, 218 9, 222-5,

42.

Shore, M., goldsmith, 17. Shoredich. R. de, goldsmith, 11. Shorter, Sir J., goldsmith, 45. Shute, W., goldsmith, 219.

,

RT. mark.

Sohrimpshaw, M., goldsmith, Scotland, 323.

,

Robert, goldsmith, 5. Roberts, H., goldsmith, 242. Robertson, W. A. S., 382. Robinson, J., goldsmith, 259. R., goldsmith, 27, 34. Roger, R., goldsmith, 30. Rokesley, G. de, goldsmith, 7. T. de, goldsmith, 17. Rood, J., goldsmith, 248. Rose, mark, 212, 224-5.

Riisse,

261, 271.

mark, 262.

Seabrook,

264.

mark,

,

,

Schofield, J., goldsmith, 267.

mark, 251.

,

Sanderson, J. H., 382. Sankey, W., goldsmith, 34. Saunders, J., goldsmith, 40.

,

6.

R., goldsmith, 38. 246, 258.

SP, mark, Specimens

of

ancient church plate,

382.

Speilman, J., goldsmith, 27. Spoons, xxxix, Iv.


HALL MARKS ON PLATE.

394

Sprimont, N., plateworker, 57. Squirrel, mark, 214, SR, mark, 231-2. SS, mark, 213, 257. ST, mark, 242-3.

TJ, mark,

mark, 248. Stag, mark, 209. Stag's head, mark, 208, 210.

Tookie, S., goldsmith, 42. Torel, W., goldsmith, 9. Torrigiano, P., goldsmith, 20, 27. Touchstone, A., 383. Townley, J., goldsmith, 42.

I*

mark, 227-9, 255, 339. TL, mark, 208, 231. TM, mark. 223, 229, 231, 271. To, mark, 254.

,

Staley, R., goldsmith, 42. J., goldsmith, 265. Stanhope, Hon. B. S., 382. Standard, The, 118. mark, 171.

TP, mark,

Stamp,

Standing cups,

J, -n

xlv.

p

263.

,

mark, 267.

,

mark, 265.

T R, mark,

256, 267.

Tr, mark, 243.

T

Star, mark, 208. Stirling, 351. Stocker, J., goldsmith, 248. Stocks, H., goldsmith, 37, 42. Stokes, J., goldsmith, 242. Storr, P., goldsmith, 60-1. Streeter, E. W., 382. Suffolk church plate, 382. Sutton, J., goldsmith, 15, 28. SV, mark, 228, 233, 270. SW, mark, 219, 259, -271. ,

T>

TP

salts, liv. Standulph, J., goldsmith, 12.

^r

370.

TK,

R G, G

255, 257, 260.

mark,

Trappis, R., goldsmith, 28.

mark, 210-2, 216, 269. Tritton, J. H., goldsmith, 55. Trollop, Rev. A.. 383. Troy weight, 128-9. T S, mark, 213, 3C7, 369. Trefoil,

T

S I, mark, 260. S

mark, 218, 240.

Tuite, J., goldsmith, 55. Turner, B., goldsmith, 40, 42. Turpin, T., goldsmith, 26. T V, mark, 368.

Sweetaple, J., goldsmith, 42. Swift, J., goldsmith, 261. Symons, W., goldsmith, 38. Symson, W., goldsmith, 22.

TW,

mark, 215, 255,

257-9, 265, 367.

369.

^^,

T, mark, 269.

TA, mark,

215, 227, 233, 238, 263. Table of Statutes and Ordinances, 64. Tain, 352. xlix.

Tankards,

Taylebois, R., goldsmith, 27. Taylor, P., goldsmith, 259. W., goldsmith, 59, 264, 266. T B, mark, 209, 218-9, 224, 254, 368-9. TC, mark, 214-6, 219, 225, 228-9, ,

233-5.

Vandelf, J., goldsmith, 19. Vieville, P. de, 383. Vine, Sir G., goldsmith, 36. Viner, Sir R., goldsmith, 37. Sir T., goldsmith, 33. Vincent, E., goldsmith, 256. ,

TD, mark, TE, mark,

227, 255, 265. 217, 237, 271, 304. Temple, J., goldsmith, 41-2. Terry, J., goldsmith, 38.

TF, mark,

V n.

257 270 'mark, 213, 217, 229-30,

Violet, T., goldsmith, 31. goldsmith, 4. Vulfine, ,

260-1,

270, 313, 322.

Theophilus, Thillon,

,

Thorpe,

C,

goldsmith, goldsmith, 3. ,

4.

Thovy, M., goldsmith, 7. Thursby, J., goldsmith, 42. Thurston, Sir J., goldsmith, TI, mark, 236-8, 245, 255. T i, mark, 247. R.,

goldsmith,

mark, 208-9, 215, 259, 269-70. mark, 242-3, 245-6. Wa, mark, 251. AV,

WA,

Wade,

383. M., 383.

Timbrell, 267.

mark, 242, 244.

211, 215-9, 221, 230, 253,

TH,

,

mark, 258.

Tweedie, W., goldsmith, 264. Twistleton, J., goldsmith, 20. Twyford, Sir N., goldsmith, 12.

P., goldsmith, 42. Wakefield, Mr., goldsmith, 33. Wakelin, E., goldsmith, 59. J., goldsmith, 59, 264, 266. Walker, W., goldsmith, 25. Wallis, M. J., goldsmith, 42. Walpole, A. de, goldsmith, 11. J., goldsmith, 10. Walsh, J., goldsmith, 12. Walter, A., goldsmith, 37. ,

21.

247,

,

249,


INDEX. AVard, J., goldsmith, 242. R., goldsmith, 42. -, Sir W., goldsmith, 32. Warren, L., goldsmith, 23. Wase, C, goldsmith, 30.

Wilson, Mr., goldsmith, 41. Wisdome, J., goldsmith, 248, 252.

,

Waste and Sweep,

WJ,

W K, mark, mark,

WL,

WM,

137.

W E,

220,

224,

mark,

250,

16.

Wollaston, Sir J., goldsmith, 34. Wood, T., goldsmith, 19. Worboyes, A., goldsmith, 60. P, mark, 255, 261, 263.

W

Yp

339.

,

mark, 267.

WR,

mark, 212, 217, 220. Wright, C, goldsmith, 262, 265.

269.

R., goldsmith, 51. T., goldsmith, 261, 264. AVS, mark, 219-21, 241, 261, 265-6, 270-1. mark, 261, 267. W, mark, 258-60, 267, 370. ,

Webster, A., 383. Weekes, J., goldsmith, 59. Weights, 125. Welstead, R., goldsmith, 40. WestAvood, A.. 383.

,

WT,

WF,

mark, 211, 235, 264, 266, 270. mark, 230, 245, 257, 260, 262-4. WGR, mark, 265. WH, mark, 211, 222, 238, 264, 351. Wheatley, H. B., 383.

W G,

goldsmith, 25. W., goldsmith, 26. Whipham, T., goldsmith, 257-8, 261. White, F., goldsmith, 259. J. W., goldsmith, 39. P., goldsmith, 42. Whitehall, G., goldsmith, 40. Whittingham, H., goldsmith, 34.

Wheeler,

J.,

,

,

WI,

mark, 269, 349. mark, 223-8, 232, 236, 238, 261,

Wodewardj W., goldsmith,

mark, 247, 265.

^f,

214. 262.

271.

Wastell, S., goldsmith, 243, 246. Watherston, J. H., 383. Watson, B. W., 383. Wavne, W., goldsmith, 34.

WB, mark, 265. WC, mark, 217-8, 259-61, 270-1. WD, mark, 254, 292,

395

mark, 243-4, 248, 250-2.

Widev, A.

B., 383.

Willaiime, D., goldsmith, 48, 250 255-6 Williams, R.', goldsmith, 250. Williams, T., goldsmith, 41-2. Sir J., goldsmith, 22.

THE

WC,

mark, 217.

J

W W S, P

mark, 260.

Wygge,

R., goldsmith, 24-5. of, goldsmith, 10.

Wykeham, W.,

Yap, G. W., 383. YO, mark, 247. York Assay Office, 320. Yorke, E., goldsmith, 247. Young, J., goldsmith, 263. Y T, mark, 237.

248,

,

PBINTIiU Br

W W

NKW TEMPLE

X, mark, 210, 269. XB, mark, 270. Zouch, R., goldsmith, 255.

PBESS,

NORBUBY CBESCENT,

S.W.16.

'


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