BACK TO LIST
The Marquess of Breadalbane’s Sugar Vases
We all recognise the retailer - silversmith relationships which existed between Rundell, Bridge & Rundell and Paul Storr as well as Kensington Lewis and Edward Farrell, there is also good evidence to suggest that William Elliott was chief supplier of new plate to the goldsmith and jeweller, Thomas Hamlet (1770-1853).
Trade cards, billheads, advertisements, newspaper reports and existing examples of silver and silver-gilt are abundant evidence that the early 19th century London goldsmith, Thomas Hamlet counted among his customers members of the British royal family. These included, George the Prince of Wales, later George IV, Frederick Augustus the Duke of York and their sisters, the Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary and Sophia who were all purchasers at his shop in Princes Street, Leicester Square.
Whilst Thomas Hamlet was Goldsmith to the King, his principal silversmith during the most fruitful years of his career was William Elliott of Clerkenwell. Elliott (1773-1855) is recorded as the manufacturing silversmith at 25 Compton Street, Clerkenwell. The lack of any substantial information about him and his workshop in no way diminishes the exceptional quality of much of the surviving silver and silver-gilt which bears his mark.
These superb vases exemplify how imaginative, elegant and beautifully executed the designs of Elliot’s workshop were and are my Director’s Choice this week. The vases were commissioned by one of the most interesting characters of the 19th century. Pieces bearing the crest, coat-of-arms or more often the signature of Breadalbane rank amongst the finest plate produced in the 19th century.
Trade cards, billheads, advertisements, newspaper reports and existing examples of silver and silver-gilt are abundant evidence that the early 19th century London goldsmith, Thomas Hamlet counted among his customers members of the British royal family. These included, George the Prince of Wales, later George IV, Frederick Augustus the Duke of York and their sisters, the Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary and Sophia who were all purchasers at his shop in Princes Street, Leicester Square.
Whilst Thomas Hamlet was Goldsmith to the King, his principal silversmith during the most fruitful years of his career was William Elliott of Clerkenwell. Elliott (1773-1855) is recorded as the manufacturing silversmith at 25 Compton Street, Clerkenwell. The lack of any substantial information about him and his workshop in no way diminishes the exceptional quality of much of the surviving silver and silver-gilt which bears his mark.
These superb vases exemplify how imaginative, elegant and beautifully executed the designs of Elliot’s workshop were and are my Director’s Choice this week. The vases were commissioned by one of the most interesting characters of the 19th century. Pieces bearing the crest, coat-of-arms or more often the signature of Breadalbane rank amongst the finest plate produced in the 19th century.
