Pair of bow front mahogany cutlery boxes with silver mounts & of superb patina

Rare pair of 18thc bow front mahogany cutlery boxes with silver mounts & of superb patina
Code: LVS1505

Dimensions:W: 23cm (9.1")H: 36.5cm (14.4")D: 16cm (6.3")
£4,250.00
Approx $5751.01, €4941.86
*Insured mainland UK delivery included in list price*

A rare pair of late 18th century (circa 1790) George III bow front mahogany cutlery boxes with fine quality solid silver mounts, of narrow proportions and of superb patina.

The cutlery boxes each consist of a sloping lid with ebonised edge with a fine quality and finely worked solid silver handle to the centre with engraved family crest of 'a lion’s gamb with tilted lance' believed to be that of the Marjoribanks of Hallyards and Lees family, further information on this below.

This leads down to a finely worked central solid silver lockplate, the lid opening to reveal the original red velvet fitted interior to one, the other with red velvet lining for storage of your choice, with solid silver hinges to the rear and solid silver carrying handles to either side.

The cutlery boxes are each supported by three finely worked solid silver ball and claw feet.

We have sourced independent advice from a Heraldic specialist regarding the crest engraved on the silver mounts, this appears to be that of the family of Marjoribanks of Hallyards and Lees.

The crest depicts ‘a lion’s gamb erect and erased grasping a tilting lance point downwards proper’.

This pair of knife boxes may have been owned by Edward Majoribanks of Hallyards and Lees (born circa 1735 – 1815).

Edward succeeded as heir to the Lees estate in May 1770, the family were later created Baronets within the Baronetage of the United Kingdon in 1815.

The full Heraldic Report can be provided on purchase of the pair of cutlery boxes.

Most of the solid silver mounts display hallmarks of a lion passant meaning English sterling silver and a makers mark of ‘I.W’ – with both our own and independent research we think this is probably the London based silversmith John Whittingham (active around 1785-1800) who was known as a ‘small worker’ meaning he produced fine quality small items of silver such as mounts for boxes and decanter labels etc.

During our research we have also found some mahogany cutlery boxes with almost identical solid silver mounts by the silversmith Lewis Fueter, some of these cutlery boxes being in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York, USA.

This pair of cutlery boxes are in very good condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home.

Sizes:

Height: 14.4'' / 36.5cm

Width: 9'' / 23cm

Depth: 6.25'' / 16cm