Lot 555
  • 555

A set of four George II silver second course dishes, Nicholas Sprimont, London, 1743

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • marked on backs, numbered and engraved with scratch weights No 1 25=9; No 4 26= ??; No 13 44=7, and No 14 44=18

  • Silver
  • diameters 14 1/2, 11 1/4 in.
  • 37, 28.5cm
in two sizes, shaped circular with ribbon-tied reeded borders with foliage at the angles, the borders engraved with circa 1780 with arms in shield 

Provenance

Tristam Hudleston Jervoice (1736-1794) of Herriard Park, Hampshire, or his brother the Rev. George Hudleston Jervoice Purrefoy Jervoice (d. 1805), thence by descent to
Major A.F. Clarke Jervoise D.L., J.P., Idsworth Park, Horndean, Hampshire, sold
Christie's, London, 11 December 1968, lots 177 and 178
Christie's, London, 1 December 2004, lot 663

The arms are those of Jervoise.

Literature

Timothy B. Schroder, The Gilbert Collection of Gold and Silver, no 70, p272-73 (two other dishes from the service, the arms misidentified as Mychell).

Condition

No. 4 slightly thin where arms removed, arms removed on all, surface shiny
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Nicholas Sprimont only worked in silver for about four years, registering his mark in 1743 after emigrating from Liège the previous year, and ceasing about 1747 when he became fully involved in the Chelsea porcelain factory; less than 100 pieces are known with his mark, but these include such rococo masterpieces as the lobster and crab salts in the Royal Collection and the Ashburnhum Centerpiece in the Victoria and Albert Museum. 

These dishes formed part of an extensive dinner service including forty-eight dinner plates, four serving dishes and six second course dishes by Sprimont, with additional pieces by John Denzilow, Robert Jones and Parker & Wakelin. The latter date from 1780-1781 and the arms on the Sprimont pieces were presumably engraved at this time.  The plates and two second-course dishes were sold by Major Clarke-Jervoise in 1957 and 1960 (Sotheby's, London, 15 May 1957 lots 167-68 and 25 May 1960, lot 55), and a decade later he sold these four second-course dishes with the other house.  A pair of 16 inch meat dishes from the service, numbered 11 and 12, are in the Gilbert Collection (op.cit.) and a pair of 13 3/4 inch meat dishes were sold Sotheby's, London, 4 June 1998, lot 215.