A Victorian sterling silver sugar bowl, London 1852 by Smith, Nicholson and Co

A Victorian sterling silver sugar bowl, London 1852 by Smith, Nicholson & Co

Of compressed circular globular form upon a circular foot, the twin handles formed as branches with bifurcated junctions modelled as laurel leaves leading to a shaped rim. The body with engraved decoration of foliate C scrolls and lattice work reserves populated with fancy birds. One side engraved with a crest of a stag’s head erased encircled in the motto Et Patribus Et Posteritati, the other side with an inscription “Viro Reverend Matthæo Wilkinson, STp. D.D. Scholæ. Marlb. Alumni”. Gilt interior. Fully marked underneath, stamped SMITH & NICHOLSON DUKE St LINCOLNS INN FIELDS.

Length – 20 cm / 7.75 inches

Weight – 388 grams / 12.47 ozt

Matthew Wilkinson (1808-1876) entered Cambridge University (Clare college) in March 1831 and he earned a BA in 1835, MA in 1838 followed by a DD in 1851. He was a Fellow of the college 1836 to 1837. He was ordained a deacon at Ely in 1835 and a priest the following year. He was curate of Oakington, Cambridgeshire from 1836 to 1840. He became principal of Huddersfield proprietary school and then headmaster of Kensington School, London. He was headmaster of Marlborough College from its foundation in 1843 to 1852. He then became vicar of Bishop's Lavington, Wiltshire and later Melksham. In 1870, he was Prebendary of Salisbury.