Lot Essay
The attribution to the celebrated Huguenot goldsmith, Philip Rollos, is based on a almost identical set, bearing his mark, formerly the property of Sir John Vyvyan Bt., sold Sotheby's, 13 June 1983, lot 28, now in the Al-Tajir Collection, exhibited London, Christie's, The Glory of the Goldsmith, January 1990, no. 49. Moreover the present lot each bear the cypher of Queen Anne and are recorded in the accounts of the Jewel House as forming part of the Ambassadorial plate supplied to Baron Raby as Ambassador to the Court of Prussia on 25 September 1705. Philip Rollos was at this time subordinate Goldsmith to the Queen. The entry in the records list silver and silver-gilt plate amounting to 3,698ozs. 10dwts of white plate and 945ozs. 10dwts of gilt plate. The entry for the casters are to be found in the Lord Chamberlain's accounts (LC9.-44.f.70)
INDENTURE PLATE
Delivered unto his Excellency the Lord Raby, Ambassador to the King of Prussia by the hands of Mr. Ellison the following particulars of gilt and white plate
Oz-dwt
gilt One sett of castors 57-15-0
The delivery of the casters to the Jewel House and their cost is also recorded (LC9/47 folio 68) 'For Lord Raby Ambassador to Prussia - Gilt plate - one sett of castors, finely chased and wrought - #38/19s/07½d'
The Raby Ambassadorial plate, of which these casters are a part, was deposited in strong boxes at Glyn, Mills and Co. Lombard Street in 1831 and and were only withdrawn on a few occasions for the period of London season, being returned finally in 1859. They remained untouched for at least the next 100 years, until five lots were sold at Sotheby's, 27 June 1963, lots 49-53. Further lots were sold in these Rooms, 23 May 1990, lots 230 and 231; a pair of magnificent wine coolers, by David Willuame, circa 1710 and a ewer and basin also by Willaume, 1705 with engraving attributed to John Rollos. These casters are the last items from the original deposit to be offered by a direct descendant of the Earl of Strafford
The condition, as with the majority of the Raby plate, is exceptional; with the engraved circles, into which the cypher was engraved, still clearly visible. In addition to the quality of the applied ornanment an unusual feature is a small engraved flowerhead on the rim of each cover, which, when aligned with a small circular stud on the body, allows to the cover to be removed
Philip Rollos appears in the denization list of 1691. Although his country of origin is not recorded and virtualy nothing is known of his early career, he is listed as a plate worker as early as 1675, however he did not obtain his freedom from the Goldsmiths' Company until 1697. He held the post of Subordinate Goldsmith to both King William III and Queen Anne and remained one of the most prominent Huguenot goldsmiths even until the early years of the reign of King George I. His major surviving works are the magnificent cisterns of 1699 in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg and the Marlborough Plate at Althorp, Northamptonshire
INDENTURE PLATE
Delivered unto his Excellency the Lord Raby, Ambassador to the King of Prussia by the hands of Mr. Ellison the following particulars of gilt and white plate
Oz-dwt
gilt One sett of castors 57-15-0
The delivery of the casters to the Jewel House and their cost is also recorded (LC9/47 folio 68) 'For Lord Raby Ambassador to Prussia - Gilt plate - one sett of castors, finely chased and wrought - #38/19s/07½d'
The Raby Ambassadorial plate, of which these casters are a part, was deposited in strong boxes at Glyn, Mills and Co. Lombard Street in 1831 and and were only withdrawn on a few occasions for the period of London season, being returned finally in 1859. They remained untouched for at least the next 100 years, until five lots were sold at Sotheby's, 27 June 1963, lots 49-53. Further lots were sold in these Rooms, 23 May 1990, lots 230 and 231; a pair of magnificent wine coolers, by David Willuame, circa 1710 and a ewer and basin also by Willaume, 1705 with engraving attributed to John Rollos. These casters are the last items from the original deposit to be offered by a direct descendant of the Earl of Strafford
The condition, as with the majority of the Raby plate, is exceptional; with the engraved circles, into which the cypher was engraved, still clearly visible. In addition to the quality of the applied ornanment an unusual feature is a small engraved flowerhead on the rim of each cover, which, when aligned with a small circular stud on the body, allows to the cover to be removed
Philip Rollos appears in the denization list of 1691. Although his country of origin is not recorded and virtualy nothing is known of his early career, he is listed as a plate worker as early as 1675, however he did not obtain his freedom from the Goldsmiths' Company until 1697. He held the post of Subordinate Goldsmith to both King William III and Queen Anne and remained one of the most prominent Huguenot goldsmiths even until the early years of the reign of King George I. His major surviving works are the magnificent cisterns of 1699 in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg and the Marlborough Plate at Althorp, Northamptonshire