MARK OF WILLIAM CLARE, WARMINSTER, CIRCA 1680

Timothy Kent in his West Country Silver Spoons and their Makers, 1550-1750, London, 1992, p.76-77 notes that William Clare is one of the most important provincial makers of the later 17th century. His father came from Ashford in Kent and William was apprenticed to the London maker, Benjamin Bradford. However, he moved to Warminster at some point before 1678, when his marriage to Mary Uzzal is recorded. Kent op. cit, p. 76 further records an entry in the Warminster Churchwarden's accounts for 1682 'Payd to William Clare for a new Bowle, weight 10 ounces 2 penny weights, at price 03-00-00'. He also notes that he was fined in 1683 and 1680 by the Goldsmiths' Hall for selling for pieces of substandard alloy.