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Lot Essay
Joseph Preedy is an important and little studied maker, recorded by Ambrose Heal as a plate-worker based in the Westmoreland buildings on Aldersgate Street, (see The London Goldsmiths, 1200-1800). He was apprenticed first to Thomas Whipham in 1765, being turned over to William Plummer in 1766. He gained his freedom in 1773 and entered his first mark in 1777. In 1791 he entered a second mark, in partnership with William Pitts, who went on to become one of the most original and creative silversmiths of the first two decades of the 19th century.
In 1799 when his partnership with William Pitts was dissolved Preedy entered another mark alone. He was clearly quite successful and in 1802 produced a number of pieces with a marine theme which were engraved with the Royal badge which formed part of a service made for the Duke of Cumberland. Items from that service include a pair of salts, sold from the Love collection, Christie's New York, 19 October 2004, lot 197 and illustrated in A. Phillips and J. Sloane, Antiquity Revisited: English and French Silver-Gilt, London, 1997, p. 41, no. 3. and a silver-gilt basket sold Christie's London, 17 March 1999, lot 85.
Other ambitious commissions by him include a silver-gilt tray presented by George III to his godson, George, 4th Duke of Dorset, sold Christie's London, 20 November 2001, lot 59 and illustrated in The Glory of the Goldsmith, Magnificent Gold and Silver from the Al-Tajir Collection, London, 1989, p. 151 and a pair of silver-gilt wine coolers engraved with the crest of William, 2nd Baron Amherst, offered Christie's New York, 20 April 2000.
The caduceus is an ancient Greek or Roman herald's wand which was carried by the messenger god Hermes or Mercury. It was a popular motif with late George III and Regency silversmiths. An egg cruet with caduceus supports by John Emes from the extensive service of plate commissioned by Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk K.G., from Rundell, Bridge and Rundell and mostly with the mark of Paul Storr, was sold Christie's London 12 June 2002, lot 34. A pair of cruet stands with caduceus finials of 1814 by Paul Storr, made for James, Viscount Hamilton which were sold Christie's London, 19 October 1988, lot 86 and a single egg frame, also by Paul Storr which was sold Christie's New York 20 October 1999, lot 246.
In 1799 when his partnership with William Pitts was dissolved Preedy entered another mark alone. He was clearly quite successful and in 1802 produced a number of pieces with a marine theme which were engraved with the Royal badge which formed part of a service made for the Duke of Cumberland. Items from that service include a pair of salts, sold from the Love collection, Christie's New York, 19 October 2004, lot 197 and illustrated in A. Phillips and J. Sloane, Antiquity Revisited: English and French Silver-Gilt, London, 1997, p. 41, no. 3. and a silver-gilt basket sold Christie's London, 17 March 1999, lot 85.
Other ambitious commissions by him include a silver-gilt tray presented by George III to his godson, George, 4th Duke of Dorset, sold Christie's London, 20 November 2001, lot 59 and illustrated in The Glory of the Goldsmith, Magnificent Gold and Silver from the Al-Tajir Collection, London, 1989, p. 151 and a pair of silver-gilt wine coolers engraved with the crest of William, 2nd Baron Amherst, offered Christie's New York, 20 April 2000.
The caduceus is an ancient Greek or Roman herald's wand which was carried by the messenger god Hermes or Mercury. It was a popular motif with late George III and Regency silversmiths. An egg cruet with caduceus supports by John Emes from the extensive service of plate commissioned by Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk K.G., from Rundell, Bridge and Rundell and mostly with the mark of Paul Storr, was sold Christie's London 12 June 2002, lot 34. A pair of cruet stands with caduceus finials of 1814 by Paul Storr, made for James, Viscount Hamilton which were sold Christie's London, 19 October 1988, lot 86 and a single egg frame, also by Paul Storr which was sold Christie's New York 20 October 1999, lot 246.