A George II sterling silver sauce boat, London circa 1746 probably by Charles Woodward (reg. 10^th April 1741)

The body of fluted shell form with undulating rim with applied rocaille work. All upon waisted on a cast domed shaped oval base with shells, seaweed, and rockery. The cast and applied handle formed as a glissant serpent. A later applied shield shape cartouche to underneath of lip. Rubbed marks underneath lip. Scratch weight underneath 7’ 14.

Length – 15.5 cm / 6.2 inches

Weight – 211 grams / 6.78 ozt

For a sauce boat of identical form, engraved with a crest underneath the lip, marked for London 1746 by Woodward [SIC Charles Wright] sold Christie’s South Kensington, 16 June 2005, Lot 804 (£1,200 incl. premium)

Charles Woodward (Grimwade 426) the son of a Robert Woodward a butcher of St. Olave’s, Southwark, was apprenticed to George Wickes on the 13^th September 1727. He was free on the 4^th of September and registers his first mark on the 10^th April 1741 at Tooley Street, Southwark. Despite the prominence of his master, little surviving work bearing his mark is to be encountered and is often confused with the later mark of Charles Wright. A spoon tray of 1742 with an ornate cast border was sold Bonham’s Knightsbridge, 2^nd Oct 2013, Lot 401. A pair of sauceboats marked for 1748 are known.