A set of six william and Mary silver-gilt stands, maker's mark only F.S over s crowned, circa 1690

circular on four panel supports, the centres with engraved scrolling foliage emitting figures and dogs hunting a lion, a bull, a hare, an emu, a boar and a stag, on central bracketed support

Associated Literature:

Arthur Grimwade, London Goldsmiths 1697-1837, London, 1976, p. 635: 'The Master of George Vertue, his identity and Oeuvre', Apollo, vol. cxxvi, February 1988, pp. 83-89

Exhibition catalogue, The Quiet Conquest, the Huguenots 1685-1985, Museum of London, 1985, no. 328

 

marks reasonably good, engraving still reasonably crisp. Two with ripple where footrim slightly intrudes into body, condition generally good
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These stands and covered bowls (see lot 195) can be associated with a remarkable group of late 17^th century silver by Pierre Harache, David Willaume and a number of goldsmiths known only by their maker's initials IC, TT and above all FSs. This silver, mainly items to be found in a lady's toilet service, can be grouped by the quality of modelling and casting and for the most part by the homogeneity of the superb engraving. The most recent research on the goldsmith with the maker's mark FSs is recorded by Christopher Hartop in British and Irish silver in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University Press, Cambridge Mass., 2007, pp. 77-80.  

Approximately sixteen pieces not including the present items are known with this mark. It is suggested that the maker was a French goldsmith working in England, both by the type of object, its ornament and by the type of maker's mark. This mark which incorporates a lower case s is unlike any English example of the period but conforms to the type used in French towns such as Saumur and Sedan where the smaller letter denotes the town and not another initial of the maker. Many of the recorded pieces are struck with this maker's mark only, and had not therefore been submitted to the Goldsmiths' Company for hallmarking as was required by law.  Certain other pieces are fully hallmarked, but in these cases it has been observed that the FSs mark is overstriking another maker's mark, such as that of Benjamin Pyne on a cup in the Fogg Art Museum, Boston, of 1688/89. This has led to the conclusion that the maker was a person of significance, not supplying others with his work for them to sell but selling his own work having had it `legitimized' by an established silversmith such as Pyne. If this is true there appears to have been considerable ambiguity between Pyne's actual practice and his recorded position,  having signed a petition against the work of aliens and foreigners in 1697 (Grimwade 1976 p. 635).

A particularly fine set of six cups, covers and stands, one of which was struck with the maker's mark FSs were sold Sotheby's London, 24 October 1989 lot 521. These incorporated engraved ornament of stags surrounded by hounds in almost identical manner to the hunts engraved on the present stands. Two of these cups covers and stands thought to be copies of the FSs marked pieces are fully marked, David Willaume, London, 1700. While in fact a number of engravers were probably involved in the overall group, it has been suggested that Blaise Gentot was responsible. He was a French migrant for economic rather than religious reasons, who had an influential business in London and is known to have worked as an engraver for David Willaume. (Grimwade 1988). Other candidates for the engraving have included members of the Gribelin family who popularised the work of Henri Le Roy (1579-1631) and Etienne Joseph Daudet, on whose printed books the ornament of the FSs marked pieces is stated to be based. Similarly the unidentified engraver H.R., who signed the table top at Windsor Castle, has been cited. (Sothebys 1989. The table top is illustrated by Charles Oman in English Engraved Silver 1150-1900, London 1978, p. 64).