A good early George II sterling silver ‘sparrow beak’ cream jug, London 1727, no makers mark

Of baluster form upon a spreading circular foot, the C scroll handle with oval base plate junction. Engraved to the side with a contemporaneous crest of a demi-sea-horse regardant, holding between his paws a heart. Prick engraved with naïve initials underneath of AH in cypher. Marked underneath.

Height – 8.4 cm / 3.4 inches

Weight – 74 grams / 2.38 ozt

The crest is for Tucker, later of Coryton Hall, Devon

Probably for William Tucker of Coryton (d.1748), Sheriff of Devon in 1726-7, who married Mary Marwood daughter of Thomas Marwood of Widworthy on the 3^rd December 1716. William was the son of William Tucker of Westwater (d.1733) who married Agnes Hollings (or Hollis) (d.1693) in 1686, he had built the first house Coryton Park in 1697. William and Mary’s fourth son and heir Benedictus Marwood Tucker (d.1779) built Coryton Hall in 1756 and also became Sheriff of Devon in 1763.

The distinctive handle of this cream jug is exactly matched by an example of 1734 by Thomas Rush (reg. 24th Nov 1724), sold Wooley and Wallis, 25 April 2017, lot 1262.