Object Description
A large and chunky pair of antique sterling silver sauceboats with the typical classic shape and raised scroll handle of the period. Each is decorated with flowers and scrolls on a hatched bas relief and to the front is a large hand engraved armorial. A nice detail is the prick detail to the tops of the feet.
Weight of pair 617 grams, 19.8 troy ounces.
Scratchweight 20=15.
Spread 17.8 cms. Height 11 cms (to top of handle), 8.3 cms (to lip).
London 1743.
Maker Thomas Whipham.
The Antique Silver Sauceboat was made its first appearance in the early 1700’s. The original form had two lips, one at each end, with two scroll handles and a spreading foot. This was quickly followed by the single lip form and by the 1740s nearly all examples had the traditional three feet. Usually oval, they were very occasionally octagonal or circular, and were originally intended for cold sauces.
Biography. Thomas Whipham, London silversmith. Apprenticed to Thomas Farren 1723, free 1737. First mark entered as largeworker 1737. Second mark 1739. Third mark, in partnership with William Williams I (also apprenticed to Farren in 1731), 1740. Livery 1746. Court 1752. Fourth mark, in partnership with Charles Wright October 1757. Warden 1765-7, and Prime Warden 1771. Recorded in 1780 as the purchaser of the church plate of Stoke Bruern, Northants, for £50.12s.8d., the new set having been made by his partner Wright in 1776. In 1743 Whipham entered the widow Ann Farren’s mark on the death of Thomas Farren by power of attorney and probably acting as Farren’s executor. It is not known if he succeeded to the business and he did not move to Farren’s address, possibly his wife was a Farren. Thomas and Frances Whipham had a daughters Frances (b. 1741), Anne (b. 1742) and Mary (b. 1744) and a son Thomas (b.1747). Whipham died 1785 and was succeeded by his son Thomas. Thomas junior was free by patrimony 1768. Livery 1769, Court 1777, and Prime Warden 1790. He died 1815.