Silver Egg Set, John Samuel Hunt, London, 1852–1853

DESCRIPTION:
Egg cup dimensions: 6.7 × 4.8 cm
Spoon length: 12 cm
Stand dimensions: 21 × 20 cm
Total weight: 1,123 g

The stand and the egg cups bear the silversmith’s mark, the sterling silver hallmark represented by a passant lion, the City of London hallmark featuring a leopard’s head, the date letter “R” corresponding to the year 1852–1853, and the tax hallmark bearing the effigy of the young Queen Victoria. The stand also bears the engraved name of the prestigious silversmithing firm Hunt & Roskell, successor to Storr & Mortimer.

The spoons, crafted in another workshop, bear a similar set of hallmarks. The maker’s mark is that of Chawner & Co. The date letter “O” corresponds to the year 1869–1870.

The set consists of a stand, six egg cups, and six egg spoons. The circular stand, cut in the shape of a six-lobed flower, rests on three scroll-shaped feet. Its rim is accented by closely spaced moldings, adorned with scrollwork in the recesses. Above the rim and the narrow border, a molded step extends into a flat, smooth base. This base features six supports for the egg cups and six small stands to hold the handles of the spoons. In the center stands a baluster-shaped knob, topped by a ring-shaped handle.

The egg cups rest on circular, molded feet. Their baluster-shaped bowls are decorated with repoussé ornamentation consisting of C-curves and wavy lines. The rims are flared, and the interiors are gilded.

The spoons feature smooth, small-shovel-shaped bowls that make it easy to scoop up food. The handles are smooth, with edges adorned with a beaded pattern.

ABOUT THE SILVERSMITH:

John Samuel Hunt was a London silversmith and jeweler, a student and collaborator of the famous Paul Storr. After Storr retired in 1838, he became a partner in the firm, which was successively named Mortimer & Hunt and, from 1843 onward, Hunt & Roskell.

Based on New Bond Street in London, this firm was among the leading British silversmithing and jewelry companies of the 19th century. Hunt upheld the exceptionally high artistic and technical standards of Storr’s workshop, combining remarkable craftsmanship with elegant and distinctive designs. He remained a partner until his death in 1865, at which time his son, John Hunt, succeeded him.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

I. Pickford, ed., Jackson’s Silver and Gold Marks of England, Scotland & Ireland, Woodbridge, 2009.