LONDON, 1653, MAKER'S MARK A HOUND SEJANT FOR RICHARD BLACKWELL

Details

A pair of Commonwealth silver chalices
London, 1653, maker's mark a hound sejant for Richard Blackwell
Each with slightly flaring cylindrical cup on baluster stem and on rising domed circular foot, with reeded borders, each marked on side and under foot-rim, also inscribed under foot-rim '1654'
10in. (25.4cm.) and 9 7/8in. (25.2cm.) high
49oz. (1,552gr.)
For the same maker's mark see Jackson Ian Pickford ed., p.120 (2)

Provenance

The Executor of the late Colonel R. F. Ratcliff C.M.G.; Christie's London, 10 June 1943, lot 295 (£800 to How of Edinburgh Ltd.)
With How of Edinburgh, invoice dated 10 June 1943 for £880
Sir Peter Wills 3rd Bt. (d.1945) and then by descent

Literature

Commander G. E. P. How, Notes on Antique Silver 1944-1945, privately printed, 1945, p.26.
E.L. Smith, 'Richard Blackwell & Son', The Silver Society Journal, No.15, 2003, p.42 (as wine-cups)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

The identity of this fine maker has remained a mystery until recent times. The quality of his work has long been noted and there has been much discussion as to possible candidates. The mystery was finally solved and explained in detail in Eric J.G. Smith's article 'Richard Blackwell & Son' in The Silver Society Journal No.15. He records that the evidence for the attribution of this maker's mark to Richard Blackwell may be found in a group of bills and references dated between 1651 and 1662.

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