MARK OF JOHN SWIFT, LONDON, 1754

Details

A RARE GEORGE II SILVER RATCHET-ACTION DISH CROSS
MARK OF JOHN SWIFT, LONDON, 1754
With central circular lamp with removable cover, raised on three adjustable leaf-clad scroll supports with scroll terminals, moving on a central ratchet with brass pins, the cover and lamp engraved with a crest and motto above, the base engraved with scratch weight 49=10, marked underneath lamp
17 in. (43.2 cm.) diameter; 42 oz. 10 dwt. (1,323 gr.) gross weight

Provenance

Property of the Estate of Mrs. C. J. Devine, Sr., sold
Christie's, New York, 15 October 1985, lot 1199
Hobart House, Haddam, CT, January 1986
The Collection of the Late Charles Poor, sold
Sotheby's, New York, 26 October 2005, lot 34

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Lot Essay

This massive and extremely rare dish cross is far more unusual than the typical X-form dish cross with central spirit burner used to keep food warm at the Georgian table. The ingenious design features three bar supports fitted with pins that engage with a geared column within the heater base, so that as one leg extends or retracts, the others shift simultaneously.

The only other known examples of this extremely rare form include one with alternating wick burners by Paul Crespin of 1738 in the Egremont Collection at Petworth House, Sussex, one by James Schruder of 1739, sold Christie's, New York, 17 May 2011, lot 193, and one of 1750 in the Manchester City Art Gallery.

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