Rare mid 18th century Colonial and Continental Silver card trays/waiters

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

19 Jun 2013 11:00 BST London, New Bond Street
Fine Silver and Gold Boxes
Back to auction 20781

 

Colonial and Continental Silver

A rare pair of mid 18th century Jamaican silver card trays/waiters

maker's mark AI, assay master Anthony Danvers, circa 1750
Shaped circular form with stepped and moulded rims applied with rococo leaf-edged scrolls. centres flat chased with "C" scrolls, fruit , flowers and fish-scales, raised on three hairy paw feet, centre engraved with large script initials "EM" , diameter 17.8cm, weight 22.20oz. (2)

Sold for £4,750 inc. premium

Footnotes

• Although 17th and 18th century Jamaican silver is some of the rarest Colonial silver, a description of life in Port Royal the principal town in Jamaica, at the end of the 17th century suggest suggests that this was not always the case "... Almost every house hath a rich Cupboard of Plate which they carelessly expose, scarce shutting their doors in the night, being no apprehension of thieves for want of receivers".
  
  Jamaica was incredibly wealthy at this time and this is reflected in many of the silver items which survive. A great number of silversmiths and jewellers have been recorded during the country's height of trade with Europe and America. In his article for "The Proceedings of the silver Society 1985 - 1987, Vol III Nos 7/8//9, Jamaican Goldsmiths' - Some Early eighteenth century inventories III , Robert B. Barker, notes that there were as many as 150 goldsmiths working on the island.
  
  Also of interest to hallmarking Jamaican silver is the use of a standard mark, an alligator's head. For a short period of time between 1747 and circa 1765, an assay master was employed by the British crown, the most notable being Anthony Danvers, who took up his post 1749.

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