A George II silver cream boat, London circa 1736 by Christian Hillan (this mark reg. 20^th April 1736)

Of oval bellied form with shaped sections to the rim, raised upon three scroll feet with shell form junctions. The double C scroll handle with leaf moulded sections and a moulded lower junction. Traces of an engraved crest to the side of upon the stump of an oak tree, spouting to the dexter, a falcon close. Maker’s mark only underneath.

Length – 12.8 cm / 5 inches

Weight – 217 grams / 6.98 ozt

The crest is for Whitmore

For Thomas Whitmore (1782-1846) who married on the 19^th July 1804 Catherine Thomason (1784-1867). He the son of the son of Thomas Whitmore (d. 1795) and Mary Foley (d. 1817). She the only daughter of Thomas Thomason and Catherine Grierson (d.1839).

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Bridgnorth in 1806. He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.) of Shropshire.² He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Shropshire. He held the office of High Sheriff of Shropshire in 1825. He lived at Apley, Shropshire, England.

Christian Hillan

This otherwise unrecorded example by Hillan would have been made sometime between registering this maker’s mark on the 20th April 1736 at Bishop's Court Durham Yard, and his next mark on the 4^th June 1739.

It is likely that this is a very early work of Hillan, a somewhat elusive but desired silversmith. Works are extant until circa 1742 and are usually distinguished by exhibiting distinct Rococo period casting and chased work, often on cream jugs and sugar bowls, but also candlesticks and soup tureens. The plainness of this example likely puts it before a move to these tastes in the later 1730’s. The lower sections to the feet on this example most probably once protruded outwards as is seen on the same mouldings on another maker’s mark only example by Hillian held in the Clark institute (1998.2). Another cream boat marked for 1737 also showcasing Rococo ornament also in the Clark (1955.193).

For an ornamented cream boat of 1738 by Christian Hillan, see Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, 26 February 1976, lot 56 (Vanessa Brett, The Sotheby's Directory of Silver, London, 1986, p. 206, no. 889).