Leopard Antiques Rare Cape Silver Vinaigrette

Rare Cape Silver Vinaigrette - Twentyman

Reference: S1335 Period: George IV Year: Circa 1830 Silversmith: Lawrence Twentyman Place: Cape Price: $ 860.00 Weight: 25 grams Dimensions: 3.5 cm * 2.5.cm Condition: Excellent. Snug fit, both hinges in good condition, good closure of grille and lid. Interior gilt in good condition. Description: An extremely rare Cape Silver vinaigrette, with attractive engraving, a sunburst surrounding a wreath contained in a rectangle on the lid, the base and sides also decorated with naive but attractive zig-zag and dot engraving, typical of colonial Cape silversmiths. The grille is also decorated by hand, with a crude flower and foliage surrounded by hand punched holes in squares. The interior is gilt. Both the lid and base are struck with 3 poorly struck hallmarks, which appear to be the lion passant between 2 castles. However the grille is struck with a very clear LT makers mark, without doubt that of Lawrence Twentyman. The only other known example of a Cape vinaigrette, by Martinus Lourens Smith, appeared at Sothebys Cape Town in February 2007 (Lot 428). None of the Cape silver reference books (Welz, Heller) mention vinaigrettes.

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