Object Description
A highly desirable antique silver soup tureen with twin handles and matching cover. The attractive oval form has gadroon borders; the body is raised on 4 cast silver feet in the form of lion’s masks with charmingly naïve expressions and the lid is surmounted by a large decorative finial in the form of a pomegranate. Hand engraved to the front and back is an armorial within a large cartouche. The lid has a lizard crest to both sides. Heavy gauge silver. Good colour.
Weight 4,199g, 135 troy oz.
Spread across handles 36.4cm, 14.3ins. Height 24cm, 9.4ins. Top measures 31cm x 20.3cm.
London 1811.
Maker John Houle.
Sterling silver.
Excellent large size for serving soup, casseroles and vegetables.
Marks. Stamped underneath the body and on the inside of the lid with a full set of English silver hallmarks. All matching.
Arms. The arms “Argent a chevron between 3 lizard’s heads Sable” are those of Langdon, originally of Keverell, Cornwall. There are variations on the surname – Langton, Longden, Landon – all have similar arms and the same crest of a lizard.
Maker: John Houle
John Houle, London silversmith and son of John Houle, London, chaser, apprenticed to William Rock within the Vintners Company in 1798, free 1807. First mark entered in 1811 as plateworker, Clerkenwell, London. Second mark 1813. Livery of the Vintners in 1818 as silversmith. 3rd mark in partnership with his two sons, Daniel John Houle and Charles Houle in 1844. In 1845 Daniel and Charles Houle entered their own mark in joint partnership, working until 1884, supplying high quality silver articles in a large variety of styles to selected retailers. Some of their finest work included exquisite items such as this standing cup, often boasting gold inlay and parcel-gilding.
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