A magnificent pair of antique sterling silver chargers (or sideboard dishes) with gilt finish. Decorated in the 17th century style with deep relief embossed fruit and foliage. The centre is engraved with a large coat of arms of Scott impaling Surtees for John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751-1838) and his wife Bessie. Scott was made an Earl in 1821. Weight each 3270 and 3390 grams approx, total 214 troy ounces. Diameter 64 cms. London 1816. Maker William Pitts, known for making large and impressive chargers.
Provenance: The large coat of arms is of Scott impaling Surtees for John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751-1838) and his wife Bessie. Scott was made an Earl in 1821.
Biography
William Pitts
William Pitts, London silversmith, apprenticed to his father Thomas Pitts I, Citizen and Goldsmith, 1769. Free 1784. First mark entered as plateworker, 1781. Second mark 1786. Third mark, in partnership with Joseph Preedy, 1791. Pitts specialised (alone and with Preedy) in the production of fine quality epergnes, dessert baskets and stands. Fourth mark, alone, 1799. Fifth mark 1806. His son, William, was apprenticed to his father 1806. By 1816, William Pitts had begun to specialise in producing ornate cast candlesticks in the rococo style and decorated with animals, flowers, shells and scroll-work; at this time he also became known for his magnificent sideboard dishes. He went on to work as a designer, sculptor and chaser for Paul Storr - the most important of all 19th century silversmiths.
Condition
These handsome dishes are in very good condition with no damage or restoration. Crisp condition throughout and no wear to the engravings. Each is stamped on the edge with a full and clear set of English silver hallmarks; one charger is stamped on the front, the other is marked on the reverse side. The main gilding has no wear, the centre gilding is fainter, possibly due to the armorials being added later, probably in Victorian times. 1 charger shows slight signs of repair to the border.
Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.
A magnificent pair of antique sterling silver chargers (or sideboard dishes) with gilt finish. Decorated in the 17th century style with deep relief embossed fruit and foliage. The centre is engraved with a large coat of arms of Scott impaling Surtees for John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751-1838) and his wife Bessie. Scott was made an Earl in 1821. Weight each 3270 and 3390 grams approx, total 214 troy ounces. Diameter 64 cms. London 1816. Maker William Pitts, known for making large and impressive chargers.
Provenance: The large coat of arms is of Scott impaling Surtees for John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751-1838) and his wife Bessie. Scott was made an Earl in 1821.
These handsome dishes are in very good condition with no damage or restoration. Crisp condition throughout and no wear to the engravings. Each is stamped on the edge with a full and clear set of English silver hallmarks; one charger is stamped on the front, the other is marked on the reverse side. The main gilding has no wear, the centre gilding is fainter, possibly due to the armorials being added later, probably in Victorian times. 1 charger shows slight signs of repair to the border.
Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.
William Pitts, London silversmith, apprenticed to his father Thomas Pitts I, Citizen and Goldsmith, 1769. Free 1784. First mark entered as plateworker, 1781. Second mark 1786. Third mark, in partnership with Joseph Preedy, 1791. Pitts specialised (alone and with Preedy) in the production of fine quality epergnes, dessert baskets and stands. Fourth mark, alone, 1799. Fifth mark 1806. His son, William, was apprenticed to his father 1806. By 1816, William Pitts had begun to specialise in producing ornate cast candlesticks in the rococo style and decorated with animals, flowers, shells and scroll-work; at this time he also became known for his magnificent sideboard dishes. He went on to work as a designer, sculptor and chaser for Paul Storr - the most important of all 19th century silversmiths.
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“waxantiques” is a family business run by husband and wife team Lou and Ann Wax.
Our shared interest in antiques led us to change career and start dealing in general antiques shortly after we married. We spent many happy years selling at the world famous Bermondsey antiques market and at the larger UK fairs. As the years progressed our interest became more focused on antique silverware and its domestic history and twenty five years ago we moved on to Camden Passage to open our specialist silver store “waxantiques”.
In 2018 we finally made our move to the London Silver Vaults.
Our website www.waxantiques.com launched in 2011 now accounts for a substantial and growing proportion of the business to the extent where Ann needs to concentrate on maintaining our online presence, while Lou is responsible for the day to day running of the shop and customer liaison.
We are fortunate indeed to have a career which allows us to handle such lovely items, many of which would not be out of place in a museum environment. Perhaps best of all is that it keeps us in contact with customers from all over the world, many of whom we count as good friends as well as colleagues.
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