London 1731 by Paul de Lamerie (Hertogenbosch 1688 - London 1751)
A George II Britannia standard silver waiter

Of square form with re-entrant corners, an ovolo edge with moulded rim, all upon four shaped bracket feet. The field and edge with contemporaneous flat chased decoration of rocaille and strapwork scrolls reserved with lattice work all against a textured ground, the rocaille with harebells and rosettes repeated to edge. The centre with a contemporaneously engraved cartouche of C scrolls and foliage topped with rocaille, the centre with a later applied and engraved coat of arms. Engraved underneath with a faint scratch weight 12=12. Fully marked to the reverse.

Length – 15.2 cm / 6 inches

Weight – 373 grams / 11.99 ozt

The arms are for Leslie or Stirling of Scotland

The waiter, part of a matched pair with the following lot, is of a form distinct to Lamerie and other closely comparable makers such a Paul Crespin. Evidently in the case of this matched pair a model by de Lamerie was copied in 1738 by John Robinson II (following lot), and later again had the arms adapted. Paul de Lamerie, a silversmith of the most renown, was the last silversmith to regularly use the Britannia standard since it’s optional status from 1720, by keeping production in the higher purity until 1732. Thereafter Britannia standard was only sporadically used until historical revival production gained momentum in the 1870’s.

Several examples of this form of waiter with varying decoration styles are known.

An example of 1724, sold Bonhams Knightsbridge, 24 Nov 2020, lot 350 (£6375 incl. prem)

The pair of 1724 was sold Sotheby’s London, 22 May 2025, lot 132 (£5334 incl. prem)

A pair of 1736 sold Doyle, New York, 26 Oct 2016, lot 532 ($21,250 incl. prem)

An example of 1724 was sold Christie’s London, 25 Nov 2008, lot 256 (£3000 incl. prem)

Another of 1751 sold Christie’s London, 15 July 1998, lot 237 (£16,100)

Another of 1724 sold Christie’s London, 13 May 1992, lot 172 (£9900)