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Lot Essay
This is one of the famous Guy's Hospital hoard of plates excavated in 1899. Two similar were found near Hampton Court Palace more recently. There are believed to be twenty plates in all and that twelve were sold to the British Museum who now hold three. Seven examples are in other museums. In 1974 five were known in private collections. Most have a diameter of 10.5ins. and a few were larger at 13.5ins. The majority were unmarked but others were marked with a bell and the initials 'RB'.
The feathers are those used as the house mark or badge of the Prince of Wales and traditionally are attributed to Prince Arthur, eldest son of Henry VII, c.1486-1502. Several examples are illustrated including one in Michaelis Antique Pewter of the British Isles, and 'The Worshipful Company of Pewterers Collection, No. 104. Also Peal, British Pewter, Fig. 24.
There have been two articles in the Journal of the Pewter Society, One by Sandy Law Autumn 1985 and another by Dr Homer, Autumn 1989. In the latter article Homer argues that the plates from Guy's and the two similar found at Hampton Court Palace actually date to the coronation of Henry VIII in 1509. Homer argues, with documentary evidence, that the coronation service would have been both extensive and required the work of several pewterers which would explain the variety of different marks found on the plates as discussed in the Law article.
The feathers are those used as the house mark or badge of the Prince of Wales and traditionally are attributed to Prince Arthur, eldest son of Henry VII, c.1486-1502. Several examples are illustrated including one in Michaelis Antique Pewter of the British Isles, and 'The Worshipful Company of Pewterers Collection, No. 104. Also Peal, British Pewter, Fig. 24.
There have been two articles in the Journal of the Pewter Society, One by Sandy Law Autumn 1985 and another by Dr Homer, Autumn 1989. In the latter article Homer argues that the plates from Guy's and the two similar found at Hampton Court Palace actually date to the coronation of Henry VIII in 1509. Homer argues, with documentary evidence, that the coronation service would have been both extensive and required the work of several pewterers which would explain the variety of different marks found on the plates as discussed in the Law article.