A rare mid-18^th century American Colonial silver salver, Boston circa 1750 by William Simpkins (1704-1780)

Of shaped circular form with shaped cavetto edge and husk shell rim, raised on three pad feet. The otherwise plain field engraved with a crest of a moor’s head with traces of a motto above. Marked underneath with makers mark twice.

Diameter – 24.7 cm / 9.75 inches

Weight – 489 grams / 13.82 ozt

The motto is potentially Qui Conducit which would mean the crest is for Borthwick

Simpkins, born on the 20^th of March 1704, was apprenticed William Cowell in Boston in 1717. He was the master to Thomas Burton Simpkins (c.1742-49) and Daniel Rogers (c. 1748). He entered a partnership with Samuel Minott c.1770.

A salver by Simpkins with the crest of Lechmere (⌀ 20.8 cm) was sold Sotheby’s New York, 22 Jan 2020, Lot 436 ($23,750 incl. premium)

A salver by Simpkins (⌀ 31.8 cm) was sold Sotheby’s New York, 28/29 Oct 2004, lot 671 ($36,000 incl. premium