A CHARLES I SILVER-GILT FLAGON

LONDON, 1637, MAKER'S MARK OF WM PELLETS ABOVE AND BELOW (JACKSON, REV. ED., P. 118, LINE 1)

Details

A CHARLES I SILVER-GILT FLAGON
LONDON, 1637, MAKER'S MARK OF WM PELLETS ABOVE AND BELOW (JACKSON, REV. ED., P. 118, LINE 1)
Of tapering cylindrical form, the flaring foot applied with stamped border of flutes and foliage, the body flat-chased with a band of stylized foliage and strapwork on a matte ground, the scroll handle engraved with arabesque foliage, the hinged domed cover with conforming decoration and lion's-masks and fruit, the foot engraved with an inscription, marked on body and cover, also with the scratchweight 72-9, the base engraved "Austins Parish Church"
13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm.) high; 73 oz. (2270 gr.)
The inscription reads The Gift of John Osborne Parishoner and his three Children William, Iohn, & Elizabeth, all three borne Christned in this Parish.

Provenance

Sold by the Order of the Rector and Church Wardens of the Parishes of St. Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside, Christie's, London, 10-11 July 1984, lot 406
Christie's, New York, 14 April 1994, lot 532

Literature

Michael Clayton, Christie's Pictorial History of English and American Silver, 1985, illus. p. 50, fig. 1.

Lot Essay

This flagon, together with a pair of matching James I examples, were formerly part of the plate of St. Augustine's, Watling Street. The church was burnt down in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in 1682. In World War II it was again destroyed and not subsequently rebuilt. The church plate passed into the possession of St. Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside, until it was sold by Christie's in 1984.

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