Set Of Four Jorge III Gravy Boats. In Silver. Henry Chawner (act. 1786-1796), 1790.

Set of four Jorge III gravy boats. Silver. Henry Chawner (act. 1786-1796), 1790.
Each has an oval base, with fine moldings that are repeated both on the rim of the gravy boat, visually extended by the curved line of the two handles, and on the upper part of the lid, shaped like a vase. The pieces have other decorative elements, in addition to those already mentioned and a series of engraved elements on the lids (bull heads with necks) and on the front of the gravy boats. In this area, there is a motto in Latin ("Fide et amore", "fidelity and love") under a heraldic shield on each piece (three bull heads, two at the top and one at the bottom, separated by a goat; two rampant lions framing a diagonal band on the shield itself). The lines and elegance of the pieces are typical of the George III style. The heraldry is very reminiscent of that of the Boleyn family, Bullen or Boleyn, descendants of Anne Boleyn. The motto is said to allude to a set commissioned for a wedding. In 1790, William Bullen and Mary Collins married in the Irish branch of the family, although this was not the only event of that year (Henry Bullen and Margaret Tarrent in the diocese of Cloyne...). The hallmarks provide a wealth of information about the pieces. The lion passant places the manufacture in London, while the two initials refer to Henry Chawner; the lowercase letter gives the exact year; the leopard's head certifies the quality of the material. The silversmith Edward Barnard & Sons Ltd, still in business, has several predecessors: it was founded by Anthony Nelme around 1680 and, after a succession of master silversmiths, the business was improved by Henry Chawner in 1786, master of the successor of the family that then ran the business (Eduard Barnard I) and who continued it. He was active between 1786 and 1796, and the surname of this master remained linked to the business until the end of the 18th century in several of his relatives. His works are currently kept in private collections in England and America, mainly, but also in leading institutions such as the Mount Vernon Museum of George Washington (Virginia, USA), which has a Henry Chawner inkstand of George Washington, Scoteney Castle in Kent, the Victoria & Albert in London, the Portland Art Museum, etc.
Weight: 2110 grams. - Size: 14x10x23 cm