Antique George I Silver Strawberry Dish

Object Description

An early English antique silver strawberry or salad dish of circular form with a scalloped edge and shallow bowl. Britannia standard silver*. To the centre there is a hand engraved crest within a decorative cartouche. Excellent colour. Weight 403 grams, 12.9 troy ounces. Height 2.5 cms. Diameter 20.7 cms. Marked around the top edge for London 1714. Maker William Spring.

Biography – William Spring, apprenticed to John Hoyte 1693, turned over to Samuel Hood, free 1700. Mark entered as largeworker 1701.

Object Literature

*Britannia Standard silver. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent pure. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.

Object Condition

This rare antique dish is in very good condition with no damage or repairs. Excellent colour. Marked with a full set of clear English silver hallmarks.

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