Leopard Antiques Early Georgian Silver Punch Ladle

Early Georgian Silver Punch Ladle - Whalebone Handle

Reference: S1440 Period: George II Year: 1746 Silversmith: Edward Aldridge Place: London Price: $ 540.00 Weight: 86 grams Dimensions: 39.0 cm (bowl 9.5 cm 6.0cm) Condition:* Excellent. Handle very securely fastened. Description: A lovely and early George II double lipped punch ladle, with twisted whalebone handle, of extremely good quality. It is a good gauge and weight, much heavier than many we have seen. The bowl is fluted and is a generous size, and is joined to the handle with a double scroll. The base of the ladle is engraved "G over J+E", the engraving is contemporary and done by hand. The hallmarks are clear, and include the unregistered makers mark EA (Grimwade 3534) with 2 dots above and 1 below. Whalebone was heated under pressure with steam until malleable, and then twisted into ornate spirals, which hardened and retained their design after cooling (Helliwell, Collecting Small Silverware, pg 76). Aldridge worked between 1724 and 1765 in Foster Lane. He was tried at the investigation of the Goldsmith's Company for counterfeiting marks in 1742, but was acquitted by the jury (Grimwade pg 421).

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