A good Charles II antique sterling silver porringer and cover, London 1680 by John Duck Of conventional form with twin S scroll handles, the thumbpieces formed a cherub head masks, the body half decorated in embossed acanthus leaves. The cover with cast acanthus finial against a spiral acanthus leaf ground. Inscribed with contemporary marriage initials B over I * M, all above a stylised device and encircled in a dotted ring.Fully marked to the shoulder and to the lid top. Length – 18.5 cm / 7.25 inches Weight – 493 grams / 15.85 ozt John Duck was made assayer of Goldsmiths Hall in 1694, after Nathaniel Bowles resigned to join the newly founded Bank of England. He stayed in this position until 1716. See, John Culme, "The 'goose in a dotted circle'; a mystery of the seventeenth century investigated", The Jaime Ortiz-Patiño Collection 17th Century English Chinoiserie Silver, Sotheby's, New York, May 21, 1992.