|
Newcastle Silver Soup Ladle - Ann Robertson, Hallmarking Interest, Duty Increase
|
|
 |
Reference: S11208
Period: George III
Year: 1804
Silversmith: Ann Robertson
Place: Newcastle
Price: $ 290.00
Weight: 193 grams
Dimensions: 37 cm
Condition: Good, some dents to bowl, light scratches ladle has been used. No repairs
Description: An interesting Old English pattern soup ladle, made in Newcastle in 1804 by Ann Robertson, widow of John Robertson I. The ladle is larger than usual, with a long bevelled handle, and original owners engraved script initials IAJ. The hallmarks, which are well struck and clear, are interesting as both the lion passant and the duty mark have been overstruck by a smaller different punch in each case. The hallmarks include makers mark AR, Newcastle townmarks (3 castles and leopard's head crowned), and date letter O for 1804. Both the lion passant and duty mark have been carefully overstruck in the top left hand corner, using smaller lion passant and duty mark punches, the duty punch outline is also a different shape. The care of the overstrike leads us to believe this was done deliberately by the assay office, perhaps to indicate a change of duty or the arrival of new punches in the Newcastle assay office. (we welcome assistance as to the cause of this interesting hallmarking anomaly). Note: Miles Harrison, in his Finial article of January 2010 entitled "Hallmarking of Newcastle Small Spoons & Tongs 1784-1837", notes an increase in duty from 1s to 1s6d in 1804 - this could be the reason for the hallmark overstrike while the "Duty Coupe" (the Newcastle duty mark was filed down removing the bottom half to note the change in duty, used from 1804-1812) was prepared. Ann Robertson worked between 1801 and 1811, she took over the family business on her husbands death in 1801 (they were married in 1787, her maiden name was Bryan). She retired in 1811, when her nephew John Robertson II took over the business, he unfortunately went bankrupt in 1820. In the will Ann was left the household goods, 2 cows, an annuity of GBP 100 and power of administration of her nephew's inheritance (Women Silversmiths 1685-1845, page 154). This book is highly recommended, it celebrates the work of 36 Women silversmiths whose work is in the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Ann Robertson is well represented.
|
|
|
|
|
Newcastle Silver Soup Ladle - Ann Robertson, Hallmarking Interest, Duty Increase
|
|
|
|
|
Ann Robertson Newcastle 1804 hallmarks - duty increase
|
|
|
|
|
Newcastle silver soup ladle engraved initials
|
|
|
|
|
Antique newcastle soup ladle bowl
|
|
|
|
|
Ann Robertson Newcastle silver soup ladle large
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
