George II Antique Silver Salvers, London 1728/30.

Object Description

Outstanding quality A matching pair of square salvers with canted corner feet and hand chased decoration. Excellent patina and generous proportions. The detail of the engravings is particularly fine; the borders with Vitruvian scroll interspersed with vignettes containing shells, face masks, and dragons; the armorials within an elaborate figural cartouche. Very crisp engravings.

Weight of 1728 salver 820g, 26.3 troy oz.
Weight of 1730 salver 857g, 27.5 troy oz.
Top measures 24.5cm, 9.6ins square. Height 2.5cm.
London 1728/30.
Maker John Hugh Le Sage.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped on the underside with a full set of English hallmarks for 1728 and 1730. The 1728 salver with the hallmarks stamped in a central group and scratchweight 27=3. The 1730 salver with the hallmarks stamped in a straight line and scratchweight 29=4; also inscribed in old script “JSWSE Drax Esqr, Charlo Park”, the Erle-Drax inventory mark for John Samuel Wanley Sawbridge Erle-Drax of Charlborough House in Dorset.

Arms. Both are engraved with the marital arms of Henry Drax (c1693–1755), a British Whig politician and his wife (and first cousin), Elizabeth Ernle (c1697–1759. The couple married on or before 23 Dec 1719. The Drax/Ernle marriage was a pivotal point in the Drax family’s history, as it combined three massive fortunes: those of the Erles of Charborough, the Draxes of Yorkshire and Barbados, and the Ernles of Wiltshire.

Elizabeth Ernle, was the daughter and sole heiress of Sir Edward Ernle, 3rd Baronet (c1673 – 1729) of Charborough, co. Dorset, and of Brimslade Park & Etchilhampton, co. Wilts and his wife, Frances Erle, daughter and heiress General Thomas Erle (1650 – 23 July 1720) of Charborough, a prominent military commander and politician. Through this descent, the Charborough House estate passed into the Drax family

One salver shows the Drax arms alone, the other shows the Drax arms apparently quartered with those of Robertson of Tranent, co. Haddington, Scotland.

Maker: John Hugh Le Sage

John Hugh Le Sage, apprenticed to Lewis Cuney 1708, free 1718, First mark entered as largeworker October 1718 working in Little St. Martin’s Lane, Long Acre. Married Judith Decharmes 1725. 2nd (sterling) mark 1722 now working at Great Suffolk Street, Charing Cross. 3rd and 4th marks entered 1739, at same address. John was subordinate Goldsmith to King George II and his mark is mounted with a royal crown. Listed by Evans as Huguenot.

Simon Le Sage, John’s son, was apprenticed to his father in 1742, turned over same day to Peter Meure, free 1755 Two marks entered as largeworker 1754 in Great Suffolk St., Kings Cross. Subordinate Goldsmith to the King c.1754-9. Among his many fine pieces are the imposing candelabra with royal arms at Ickworth, Kent.

Augustin Le Sage, John’s son and presumed younger brother of Simon, free by patrimony as jeweller 1782 however he had already been working for a considerable time Heal records him as goldsmith and clockmaker, Charing Cross 1754-84, St James 1790.

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Object Literature

From the 17th century until the reign of George I salvers were raised on a pedestal foot. This form is often called a “tazza”. By 1700 some were made with the foot unscrewing. Very occasionally this type will also have 3 or 4 feet so that the salver can be used on a lower level. The traditional form of salver with plain flat surfaces and small feet at the edge, rarely found before the reign of George I, was made in various forms such as round, rectangular, oval and octagonal and are an ideal starting off point for collectors of early silver.

Object Condition

Both salvers are in very good condition with just a little wear commensurate with age. The engravings are extremely crisp. The 1730 salver has 4 circular indentations on the underside which line up with 4 of the border vignettes (see final image); this indicates an alteration to the engraving at some time, possibly at the time of manufacture; the top surface is completely perfect.

Object Details