Antique George II Silver Strawberry Dish

Object Description

A fine quality antique silver strawberry dish of circular form and raised on cast shaped feet. Ribbed and scalloped border. Good weight and patina. The surface and border are hand engraved with a well executed decoration of shells and scrolls, typical of the period and displaying the Huguenot influence associated with this maker. To the centre is an excellent armorial within a decorative cartouche. This could also be used as a salver or small tray.

Weight 715 grams, 22.9 troy ounces. Scratch weight 23=6.

Diameter 24 cm, inner diameter 19.5 cm. Height 4 cm.

Circa 1735.

Maker’s mark only for Benjamin Godfrey.

Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped underneath with the makers mark for Benjamin Godfrey and an incuse crown struck 3 times (unidentified).

BENJAMIN GODFREY
Benjamin Godfrey, no record of apprenticeship or freedom, however he almost certainly worked as a journeyman for Abraham Buteux. On Buteux’s death in 1731 his widow Elizabeth Buteux (nee Pantin) set up business. Benjamin married Elizabeth in 1732 and entered his first mark as largeworker in that same year. Second and third marks entered in 1739. Died 1741 when Elizabeth entered her own mark. Benjamin’s work displays strong Huguenot influences in design and fine execution.

Object Literature

Antique Silver Dishes were originally made for very specific purposes such as the shell “butter” dishes and scalloped “strawberry dishes” (also known as “salad dishes”) which first appeared in the early 1700’s.

Object Condition

The silver salver is in very good condition. Stamped underneath with the makers mark for Benjamin Godfrey and an incuse crown struck 3 times (unidentified). The engravings still have good definition. The scratch weight is also engraved underneath.

Object Details