MARK OF JOHN WHITE, LONDON, 1734

JOHN WHITE
White (b.c.1697-1764) was one of the most notable English born goldsmiths of the first half of the 18th century, known for the high quality of workmanship. The son of Christopher White, an apothecary of Wareham, he was apprenticed to Robert Cooper in 1711, becoming free in 1719, registering his mark as a largeworker shortly thereafter. Although not a Huguenot he was one of the most skilled silversmiths of his time, producing exceptional work collaborating with other prominent silversmiths such as Abraham Buteux and the engraver Charles Gardiner. He was clearly part of the de Lamerie circle, many of his cups being almost indistinguishable from those by de Lamerie, Thomas Farren and Benjamin Godfrey.

One of his largest surviving pieces is a massive punch bowl commissioned by Watkin Williams-Wynn in 1726, weighing 278 ounces, presented to Jesus College, Oxford. He also supplied sets of plates for the Winnington dinner service, which was mostly supplied by his former master Robert Cooper, a set of twenty-four of which are offered in The Exceptional Sale, 6 July 2023. Other notable patrons of White included the Duke of Beaufort, Lord Noel Somerset, and Admiral Vernon. He supplied the 1st Lord King, John's father and his brothers. This includes a large toilet service of 1734, sold Sotheby’s, London, 9 June 1995, lot 114. The following year he supplied Rowland Holt of Redgrave Hall, Suffolk with a basket almost identical to the present example, now in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, see T. Schroder, op. cit., 2009, pp. 670-671.

Despite his skill and success, White faced business problems throughout his career. He was declared bankrupt in 1740 and struggled to receive payment from Lord Noel Somerset in 1741. He apparently had other interests. He was described as a 'silversmith and excise officer' in the Earl Fitzwalter's accounts in 1729. He also had assets, including an estate in Wareham, which he mortgaged in 1750. White eventually gave up silversmithing and became a perfumer in St. George's, Hanover Square. The exact date of his departure from the silver trade is unknown, however no works with his mark have been recorded after the hallmarking year 1739-40. By 1742 his premises in Green Street were recorded as vacant.

JOHN, 2ND LORD KING, BARON OF OCKHAM
John King (1705/6-1740) was born in London in 1706, the son of Sir Peter King, 1st Baron King, the future Lord Chancellor. He attended Clare College, Cambridge. He later became a fellow of the Royal Society. He was returned as M.P. Launceston in 1727 and in 1734 as M.P. for Exeter and Launceston but succeeded to his father’s peerage in 1735 before taking his seat. He was made Out-Ranger of Windsor Forest in 1726, the year he married his wife Elizabeth Fry, daughter of Robert Fry, of Yarty, Devon, the ward of his father. Aged fifteen she brought a large dowry. The childless marriage was not consummated Lord King died whilst at sea on his way to Portugal in 1740. He was succeeded by his brother.