A George III silver fruit-basket and stand

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The Garrard Ledgers, The Thynne Family Commissions A remarkable insight into the collecting tastes of the first and second Marquesses of Bath is demonstrated by the fascinating record of their commissions, which can be found in the Gentlemen's Ledgers of the goldsmith Edward Wakelin, and his successors in the business, his son John Wakelin, William Taylor, John Parker and Robert Garrard. The earliest commission for silver which is to be offered for sale is for two pairs of candlesticks, which can be found in Edward Wakelin's Gentlemen's Ledger for 1755. The third Viscount Weymouth's account for 24th November 1755 reads 'Two pr Nurled Candlesticks & nozils 121 oz 8 £48 8s'. We are able to discover the contemporary description of the silver, its weights and its costs, not because the invoice survives in the Longleat archives, but because of a chance meeting between the silver scholar Norman Penzer, and Garrard's company secretary, on the afternoon of a sale held by the company in 1952. Penzer had bought a number of Royal Plate inventories in the sale. He was asked by the company secretary whether he would be interested in seeing a number of their old ledgers. The 'old ledgers' proved to be a unique run of company accounts dating from the time of the goldsmith George Wickes in 1735, through to the late 19th century. Penzer, Arthur Grimwade, Christie's Director of Silver, and John Hayward of the Victoria & Albert Museum, worked throughout the afternoon, sorting and stacking the books, which were then delivered to the Victoria & Albert Museum. Now available on microfiche, the ledgers are an unrivalled source of information, regarding the use, description and cost of all manner of silver and silver-gilt objects. We can sense the importance that the Thynne family attached to their silver collection from these ledgers, as many of the entries relate to the refurbishment of old family plate. However, they were also great commissioners of new plate in the latest style. Lot 401 we know from the ledgers was described as a 'Fine chased fruit Bason and Stand', which cost the 3rd Viscount £87 10s. He paid a further 16s for the four engraved crests and coronets. It is in the new French neo-classical style, which was also chosen for the 'pr of Rich Chased candlesticks' with '3 light Branches', lot 443, which the 2nd Marquess of Bath bought some 19 years later. An interest in silver forms from an earlier period is evident in the first Marquess's choice of inkstand in 1792. The 'large plain Inkstand like Chesterfields', purchased on the 12th March 1792 is in the style of the 1730's, as was the second Marquess' inkstand, supplied by Robert Garrard in 1806. The following silver lots are a testament to the taste of the 1st and 2nd Marquesses and the skill of the succession of silversmiths, which became Garrard & Co.

A George III silver fruit-basket and stand

MARK OF JOHN WAKELIN AND WILLIAM TAYLOR, LONDON, 1778

Details

A George III silver fruit-basket and stand
Mark of John Wakelin and William Taylor, London, 1778
The oval basket with arcaded pierced sides applied with acanthus foliage, on four acanthus bud feet, with waved Greek key pattern rim, with two ram's mask drop-ring handles and two ribbon-tied circular cartouches, each engraved with a coat-of-arms within Garter motto and with viscount's coronet above, the conforming stand with similar arcaded foliage borders, on four acanthus bud feet and with similar circular engraved cartouches, marked on base of basket and stand, base of basket also engraved with scratchweight '43 6'
The stand 15¼in. (38.8cm.) long
86oz. (2,700gr.)
The arms are those of Thomas, 3rd Viscount Weymouth, later 1st Marquess of Bath (1734-1796).

Provenance

Thomas, 3rd Viscount Weymouth, later 1st Marquess of Bath (1734-1796) and by descent to
John Alexander, 4th Marquess of Bath (1831-1896) Longleat, Wiltshire and by descent at Longleat

Literature

Victoria and Albert Museum Mss. SD.95.0050, John Wakelin and William Tayler Gentleman's Ledger 1776-1782, folio 185
1896 Inventory, (2nd Marquess' Heirlooms), Plate, '12" oval pierced and engraved epergne with ram's head and ring handles on pierced stand on chased feet and zinc liner'.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The entry in Wakelin and Tayler Gentleman's Ledger reads,
'Folio 185
The Rt Honble Lord Vist Weymouth
1778
June 25 To a Fine chased fruit Bason & Stand £87.14s at 10/10 per oz. 47£ 10s
To Engr 4 Coats, Garter and Corts 16s a glass bason 25s £1.11s'.

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