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Lot Essay
Jacob Bodendick's (1634-1681) output included a wide variety of domestic, corporation and livery and church plate and gold cups, and the novelty of his designs and virtuosity of his chasing brought him to the top of his profession in a very competitive guild. Some 59 pieces are currently known and these are listed in an in-depth article in The Silver Society Journal by E. Smith, 'Jacob Bodendick', 13, Autumn 2001, pp. 66-80, in which the present porringer and cover are illustrated, no. 9.
Recent research by Eric Smith published in the above article reveals that Bodendick was born at Lüneberg, south of Hamburg, Germany, on 4 March 1633/4. He was the son of a butcher and cookshop owner, and was apprenticed in 1650 for four years as goldsmith to Heinrich Volman II for the fee of 3 denares and 4 schillings. He obtained his freedom in 1654 and by 1661 had made his way to London, where he initially worked as a chaser and caster for William Mouse I, in that same year marrying Mouse's daughter Susan. In 1664/5 he was granted the right to have his plate assayed: on 6 May 1664 he registered his mark.
Although his links with the well established Mouse family of goldsmiths probably assisted his speedy assimilation and enhanced his reputation, it was not until 23 August 1673 that he was made Free of the City of London. On 31 October of that same year, he was made Free of the Goldsmiths' Company with the support of King Charles II, who appears to have championed him. By May 1678 he had established his own premises in St-Martin-le-Grand and was employing several workers. He died in 1681, aged 47, and was buried in the church of St Ann and St Agnes.
Recent research by Eric Smith published in the above article reveals that Bodendick was born at Lüneberg, south of Hamburg, Germany, on 4 March 1633/4. He was the son of a butcher and cookshop owner, and was apprenticed in 1650 for four years as goldsmith to Heinrich Volman II for the fee of 3 denares and 4 schillings. He obtained his freedom in 1654 and by 1661 had made his way to London, where he initially worked as a chaser and caster for William Mouse I, in that same year marrying Mouse's daughter Susan. In 1664/5 he was granted the right to have his plate assayed: on 6 May 1664 he registered his mark.
Although his links with the well established Mouse family of goldsmiths probably assisted his speedy assimilation and enhanced his reputation, it was not until 23 August 1673 that he was made Free of the City of London. On 31 October of that same year, he was made Free of the Goldsmiths' Company with the support of King Charles II, who appears to have championed him. By May 1678 he had established his own premises in St-Martin-le-Grand and was employing several workers. He died in 1681, aged 47, and was buried in the church of St Ann and St Agnes.