Object Description
A handsome pair of antique sterling silver drinking chalices each with a tapering bowl on a spreading base. Classic plain style and half ribbed body ornament. The rim has a border of fine quality hand engraving and around the base there are three lines of bright cut dot engraving. Original gilt interior. Good gauge silver. Total weight 508 grams, 16.3 troy ounces. Each contains 350 ml. Height 16.5 cms. Diameter 8.9 cms. London 1797. Maker Henry Chawner & John Emes.
Henry Chawner, free of Goldsmiths Company by patrimony. 1st mark (2 sizes) entered as plateworker 1786. 2nd mark (2 sizes) 1787. Married the daughter and heiress of Edward Hore in 1791, Livery 1791. 3rd mark as partner with John Emes 1796. Elected to Court of Assistants 1801. Died 1851.
John Emes, London silversmithery with prestigious origins. Originally established by Anthony Nelme c.1680, taken over by Francis Nelme in 1722 and then Thomas Whipham in 1739, passing it to his son Thomas Whipham jr (took Charles Wright into partnership) in 1756.
Henry Chawner took over the business in 1786; Chawner had been Edward Barnard I’s master and Barnard’s son Edward became foreman of the firm.
In 1796 John Emes became a partner and when Chawner retired Emes took over keeping Edward Barnard II as manager. Emes died in 1808 and his widow Rebecca took Edward Barnard II as partner.
In 1829 Edward Barnard I became owner, when Rebecca Emes retired, together with his son Edward Barnard II, John Barnard and William Barnard, trading under the style Edward Barnard & Sons.
After the retirement of Edward Barnard I the firm was continued by Edward Barnard II (1846-1851), John Barnard I (1846-1868), William Barnard (1846), Edward Barnard III (1868), Walter Barnard (1868-1903), John Barnard II (1868-1903), Michael Barnard (1896-1903), Stanley Barnard (1896-1903) and Robert Dubcock (1896). The firm was converted into a limited liability company in 1910 under the style Edward Barnard & Sons Ltd. In 1977 Edward Barnard & Sons Limited became a subsidiary of Padgett & Braham Ltd.