Antique Exeter Silver Chocolate Pot

Object Description

A good provincial antique sterling silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and shaped wooden handle. Nice plain style. Excellent colour. The lid is detachable and is held in place by a pin and chain. The top finial is removable so that the chocolate can be stirred. Contains 780 ml. Weight 623 grams, 20 troy ounces. Height 21.5 cms. Spread 19 cms. Diameter of base 10.8 cms. Exeter 1741. Maker Pentecost Symonds.

Biography – Pentecost Symons, Portsmouth silversmith, appears to have been a prolific West Country silversmith with many surviving pieces from the 18th Century bearing his mark. He produced a variety of plate – from domestic wares to Church Plate silver. The range and number of items suggests that he employed a number of craftsmen to work for him – but Symons would have overseen the design and manufacture of the pieces.

The south west had a thriving silversmith community in the 18th century, including names such as Pentecost Symons, Samuel Blatchford and Zacchariah Williams, and an assay office was set up in Exeter in 1700.

Object Condition

This rare antique silver pot is in very good condition with no damage or restoration. Excellent colour. The silver marks on the side of the pot, although a little rubbed, are still in good condition, the lid is unmarked which is quite usual for provincial pieces of this date. We have tested this pot with water, there is no leakage and it pours very well.

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.

Object Details