- 30
A George II silver salver, Paul de Lamerie, London, 1745
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description
- Silver
- 26.8cm., 10 1/2 in. diameter
the lobed everted rim with alternating engraved scrolls and scale ground, flat-chased border of rocaille scrolls and flowers surrounding an engraved coat-of-arms, on four cast floral capped feet
Condition
Hallmarks clear. Chasing crisp. Sits flat on an even surface. Good condition.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The arms are those of Lequesne impaling Knight for Lady Mary Lequesne, widow of Sir John Lequesne (d. 1741) to whom he was married by the Bishop of Norwich on 1 May 1738 at St. Peter le Poer, City of London. She, who is said to have had a dowry of £20,000 (J. Bertrand Payne, An Armorial of Jersey, 1859, p. 250), married Robert, 1st Earl of Catherlough (1702-1772) as his second wife on 18 June 1756.
Sir John Lequesne, a Huguenot merchant who was knighted by George II in 1738, was an alderman of the City of London, Master of the Grocers’ Company of London, 1736-37 and a Director of the Bank of England from 1738 until his death. A wealthy merchant, he seems to have accrued his fortune as an importer of sugar and tobacco. In 1724 he and his brother, David Lequesne (d. 1753) were among several London traders who responded to an enquiry from The Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations relating to duties on those commodities. This is significant because included in the decoration of Sir John’s Paul de Lamerie rococo silver tea kettle and lampstand (London, 1736, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London [Loan: Gilbert.675: 1 to 4-2008]) and his celebrated de Lamerie coffee pot (London, 1738, offered at Christie’s, London, 4 July 2013, lot 48) are the leaves of sugar cane and tobacco sprays and plants.
Sir John Lequesne, a Huguenot merchant who was knighted by George II in 1738, was an alderman of the City of London, Master of the Grocers’ Company of London, 1736-37 and a Director of the Bank of England from 1738 until his death. A wealthy merchant, he seems to have accrued his fortune as an importer of sugar and tobacco. In 1724 he and his brother, David Lequesne (d. 1753) were among several London traders who responded to an enquiry from The Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations relating to duties on those commodities. This is significant because included in the decoration of Sir John’s Paul de Lamerie rococo silver tea kettle and lampstand (London, 1736, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London [Loan: Gilbert.675: 1 to 4-2008]) and his celebrated de Lamerie coffee pot (London, 1738, offered at Christie’s, London, 4 July 2013, lot 48) are the leaves of sugar cane and tobacco sprays and plants.
It is not unreasonable to assume that the present salver was ordered by Lady Lequesne to compliment the other de Lamerie pieces in her possession, possibly as a stand for the above-mentioned coffee pot of 1738. As Countess of Catherlough she died in 1795 and by her will, signed on 20 June 1793 and proved on 3 December 1795, bequeathed all her ‘Household Goods Furniture Plate Linen and China’ to her goddaughter, Miss Mary Rand of Hampton, Middlesex.
Compare with two similar de Lamerie salvers, respectively 1744 and 1750, Sotheby's, London, 9 November 1995, lot 260, and P.A.S. Phillips, Paul de Lamerie, London, 1935, p. pl. CLXII.