MARK OF JOHN EDWARDS, LONDON, 1736

Details

A GEORGE II SILVER EPERGNE
MARK OF JOHN EDWARDS, LONDON, 1736
The shaped oval base with pierced border, on four leaf-capped scroll and shell feet, with central detachable oval bowl and two tiers of four detachable branches, the lower tier with fixed oval dishes, the upper tier with detachable circular dishes, all with scalloped rims, interchangeable with spool shaped sockets and plain wax-pans, the dishes each engraved with a coat-of-arms, the wax-pans with a crest, marked on dishes, the frame unmarked
19 ¾ in. (50 cm.) wide
149 oz. 12 dwt. (4,654 gr.)
The arms are those of Ilbert impaling Courtenay for William Ilbert (1700-1751), of Bowringsleigh, co. Devon and his wife Bridget (1712-1790), daughter of Sir William Courtenay 2nd Bt. (1675-1735), of Powderham Castle, co. Devon, whom he married in 1734.

Provenance

William Ilbert (1700-1751), of Bowringsleigh, co. Devon.
A Gentleman [Cooling Galleries Ltd., 92 New Bond St.]; Christie's, London, 19 February 1936, lot 73 (£195 to Courtenay Ilbert).
Courtenay Ilbert (1888-1956), then by descent to,
Michael Inchbald (1920-2013), architect and interior designer, then by descent.

Conditions of sale

Lot Essay

The newly married William Ilbert acquired both silver and furniture for his family seat, Bowringsleigh, near Kingsbridge, Devon. The house dates from the 14th century, however, in William Ilbert's time much of the 15th century and 17th century work would have been in evidence, rooms which survived the later bold remodelling in the late 1860s and early 1870s by the architect Richard Coad. The epergne, from the French 'pargner', to save, came into use in England at the beginning of the 18th century and was made in many forms to be used as a centrepiece on the table. The baskets and bowls would have held various fruit, sweetmeats and condiments for the dessert.

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