Estimate

3.000 - 5.000

Session 1

9 December 2014

Hammer Price

Description

Of rectangular shape, sliding cover
Relief chiselled and engraved rocaille decoration. Shell feet, scalloped base with scrolls and profuse floral motifs; sides with large shell, flowers and leaves, centre of both sides with large shell-framed cartouche; upper part with shells suspending a garland
Sliding cover depicting fruit tree branch with fruits and leaves
Cartouches of both sides engraved with crest under “DEO JUVANTE” motto
London marks for 1745 and Paul Crespin maker’s mark (1720-1770)
(wear signs, minor bruises)

12,4x9,7x6,4 cm
400 g

Category

Silver

Additional Information

NOTE:
Paul Crespin (London 1694 – Southampton 1770) is one of the most important English silversmiths. Alongside Paul de Lamerie (Bois-le-Duc 1688 – London 1751) or Nicholas Sprimont (Bap. Liège 1716 – London 1771) Crespin and his younger brother were part the Huguenot group of refugees in London after 1685.
The arrival of this group of artists and artisans was one of the most important reasons for the development of Britain’s 18th century decorative arts in areas such as furniture, clock making, jewellery and more especially in silver. The extraordinary quality and know-how of the works was way superior to those made by the British until then. They also bring new styles and typologies from the continent and gradually rococo enters the English taste at the same time tureens and the sauce boats also arrive to Britain. The sculptural character of this silver works of art as well as exquisite engravings distinguishes them from the rest of the production.
Crespin worked for an extremely high-end clientele and royal commissions were frequent, in his vast list of patrons and clients we can find the Duke of Marlborough, the Duke of Portland, the Prince of Wales and more important to us Portuguese, D. João V King of Portugal.
Very often Crespin and Sprimont worked together and are specially remarkable two pieces: the Asburnham centrepiece (1747) today at the V&A and the “Neptun” tureen commissioned by the Prince of Wales in 1741 and still at the royal collections at Buckingham.
The relation between Crespin and the Portuguese court is remarkable and paradoxically quite unknown.
Paul Crespin and his brother were responsible for one of the most legendary commissions by D.João V (1706-1750): the silver gilt bath for his famous mistress, Madre Paula.
Commissioned to Paul Crespin in 1724 the “doublement dorée” solid silver bath was raised in dolphin feet and the surface was fully decorated with relief mythological scenes and exquisitely chiselled. The work was finished by August 1724 and before being sent to Lisbon was presented to the King George II who showed himself extremely surprised with so curious piece.
Before that Crespin had already worked for the Portuguese court and in 1722 a large basin fitted for foot bath was made possibly for the Maundy Thrusday ceremony. The piece was part of a Portuguese noble estate until the end of the 19th century and today is kept at the British Museum.
Is also curious note that Paul Crespin’s younger brother – we couldn’t find his name – that worked in partnership with his brother was appointed “orfévre du Roi” by D.João V ca. 1727 and stayed in Lisbon at least in 1729.
This close relationship with the best English silversmiths of the time is often forgotten in the bibliography regarding the large Portuguese commissions of the first half of the 18th century but it is one more proof of the extremely quality of D. João V’s collections.
We are proud to offer for sale this magnificent piece signed by one of the best silversmiths of the 18th century and one that worked so closely with Portugal.