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Alex Styles Silver Drum Salt - 650th Anniversary Goldsmiths Company-
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Reference: S1717
Period: Elizabeth II
Year: 1977
Silversmith: Nayler Brothers
Place: London
Price: $ 370.00
Weight: 80 grams
Dimensions: 5.8 cm diameter, 3.1 cm height
Condition: Good, some light scratches from use.
Description: A very interesting silver drum salt, designed by Alex Styles and retailed through Garrard, to commemorate the 650th anniversary of the Goldsmiths Company in 1977. The body is decorated with a fabulous interpretation of the Goldsmiths Company Arms, and the dates 1327-1977. The arms (granted in 1571) include quartered leopards head and covered cup with 2 buckles, and a stylized demi-virgin (thought to possibly be Queen Elizabeth I) holding the scales (balances) of Justice and a touchstone, both used for testing precious metals. The armorial is supported by 2 unicorns (representing purity), and the motto JUSTITIA VIRTUTUM REGINA, latin for "Justice is Queen of Virtues". The design has been photo-etched onto the silver, a modern technique which we think does justice to the armorial. The Goldsmiths company is one of the 12 great Livery companies of London, they were granted Royal Charter in 1327. The Leopards head (actually a lion but in 1327 the word for lion and leopard was the same) comes from the Royal standard, and is still in use today as the London town mark (and was the inspiration for our company name). The covered cup and 2 buckles represent both the large and small workers of the Goldsmiths company. The hallmarks on the base are very clear and perfectly preserved, including a very well struck Silver Jubilee mark, to commemorate 25 years on the throne of Queen Elizabeth II. The base is also engraved "Des. A. G. Styles", indicating Alex Styles as the designer (Alex was chief designer for Garrards, the Royal silversmiths, he has also been described as Britain's leading 20th century silver designer). The makers mark N Bros is for Nayler Brothers, who worked between 1908 and 1988. They were acquired by Garrards mid 20th century, and subsequently made much of Garrards silver during this period. We would like to thank the Librarian of the Goldsmiths company for assistance interpreting the armorial, we recommend their website (www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk). Styles has been included as one of the top 50 British silversmiths in the book " Designer British Silversmiths 1930-1985, pg 458-465, by Andrew & Styles, a book we highly recommend.
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Alex Styles silver drum salt - 650th anniversary Goldsmiths company
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Goldsmith Company Armorial
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Goldsmiths company armorial, 1977
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1327-1977, Goldsmiths hall silver salt
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Unicorn, Regina, Alex Styles silver
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Silver Jubilee hallmark, base of silver drum salt
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Designer A G Styles
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Scale, silver drum salt
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