MARK OF SAMUEL COURTAULD, LONDON, 1757

Samuel Courtauld (1720-1765) was born 10 September 1720, son of the goldsmith Augustine Courtauld. He was baptised 13 September in Leicester Field Church and apprenticed to his father on 12 November 1734. He was made free on 3 February 1747 having entered his first mark as largeworker on 6 October of the preceding year upon his father's retirement, with his address given as Shandois [Chandos] Street near St Martin's Lane. He married on 31 August 1749, at St Luke's Old Street, Louisa Perina Ogier, and they had three sons and four daughters. His workshops moved from the Rising Sun, Chandos Street, to the more prestigious location of The Crown opposite Royal Exchange, 21 Cornhill in 1751; his new mark entered at that time was, logically, without the 'rising sun' above his initials. His work is characterised by a gentle expression of the rococo style, attractively executed and in some instances in the manner of Paul de Lamerie; survival of his work is relatively rare. He died in February 1765 and was buried 24 February at Chelsea, leaving all his property to his wife who subsequently entered into partnership with George Cowles. For further information, see T. Schroder, The Gilbert Collection of Gold and Silver, New York, 1988, pp.652-3 for biographical information and fig.78, pp.298-299 for a chocolate-pot by Samuel Courtauld.