An Elizabeth I provincial silver-mounted coconut cup

MAKER'S MARK OF CHRISTOPHER EASTON, EXETER,CIRCA 1590

Details

An Elizabeth I provincial silver-mounted coconut cup
maker's mark of Christopher Easton, Exeter,circa 1590
On spreading circular domed foot chased with lion's masks within strapwork fruit and foliage, the stem with three gryphon scroll supports, the plain nut held by three straps and with corded border, the rim engraved with a band of trailing flowers, acorns and fruit, marked on underside of foot,
8¼in. (21.3cm.) high

Provenance

Sold Christie's, 19 July 1944, lot 41. (£200 to Lumley)

Lot Essay

The base is struck with the letters C and D, together with the Exeter town mark and the maker's mark Easton. It has been suggested that the letters C and D are informal date letters used by Easton. However, they appear to be randomly used with no adherence to a recognized system. Exeter Goldsmiths were obviously aware of London fashions as illustrated by a similar coconut bearing the maker's mark CB in monogram made in London in 1606 with a similarly engraved rim and related stem, sold Sotheby's, 28 May 1953, lot 84.

More from Silver

View All