Leopard Antiques Georgian Parcel Gilt Silver Purse/ Handbag Vinaigrette - Ledsam & Vale

Georgian Parcel Gilt Silver Purse/ Handbag Vinaigrette - Ledsam & Vale	Order Form Request more information

Reference: S1889 Period: George III Year: 1820 Silversmith: Ledsam & Vale Place: Birmingham Price: $ 1 150.00 Weight: 8 grams Dimensions: 2.8 cm * 2.2 cm Condition: Excellent, both hinges perfect, snug closure, original chain. Gilding also well preserved. Description: An interesting silver gilt Georgian vinaigrette, in the shape of a purse or handbag, the body decorated with chased 3 leaf device, which has been described as a trefoil design in the literature. The shape is lovely, very pleasing to hold, and with the texture has good grip. The quality is excellent, certainly made by a master craftsman. The base has a leaf design around oval eye. The lid is also beautifully decorated, a central flower on finely engraved cross-hatch surrounded by pattern border, and the side of the lid has a fruiting vine border, very delicately chased. The vinaigrette has 2 eyelets which holds the original chain, each chain link is also decorated with a bar pattern. The pierced grille has a foliate design, also engraved, both hinges are perfect. The interior gilding is also perfect. The vinaigrette has clear hallmarks, the lid has Georgian duty mark, very clear makers mark L&Co which is struck upside-down, and lion passant. The base has anchor town mark, partially worn makers mark and a very clear W date letter for 1820. An almost identical vinaigrette, also with L&Co makers mark but described as by Lawrence & Co, can been seen on the Steppes Hill Farm Antiques website, www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com, in their sold vinaigrettes section. Their example is missing the chain, and does not have hallmarks on the base confirming date of 1820, they estimate 1815. The body and grille appear very similar, but the lid is quite different - their lid has a plainer top and cartouche for initials, the border is floral, ours is fruiting vine. Lawrence & Co registered their mark in 1813, and used it until 1818. Some confusion then arises, as the same mark is used by Ledsam & Vale from 1818 onwards (www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk). Ledsam & Vale were a highly respected firm, known for the quality and design of interesting silver boxes. Note - A similar gilt silver handbag vinaigrette, with a different design, can be seen on the Mary Cooke website, they describe it as "very unusual, a rare design". Note 2 - A similar handbag vinaigrette, but with plainer decoration, is depicted in the book "Silversmiths of Birmingham 1750-1980", by Kenneth Crisp Jones, page 79, this one dated 1829, by Ledsam, Vale & Wheeler (Wheeler joined in 1825).


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georgian parcel gilt silver purse/ handbag vinaigrette


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georgian silver gilt vinaigrette - handbag, open


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antique silver vinaigrette base - makers mark, date letter


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antique silver purse vinaigrette - gilded grille


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Ledsam & Vale L&Co silver hallmarks


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sterling silver lion passant on vinaigrette grille


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ledsam & vale silver vinaigrette - scale


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silver handbag vinaigrette - detail of lid, flower and vine

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