A Charles II sterling silver twin handled porringer, London 1676 by A.H, mullet above, mullet below in shaped shield, possibly for Abraham Harrison (free c.1661)

Of circular form with slightly rounded base upon a short cylindrical base, with two sand cast and applied C scroll handles with notched decorative motifs. The lower half of the body with embossed decorative band of repeating acanthus leaves. Fully marked to the rim.

Length – 19 cm / 7.5 inches

Weight – 269 grams / 8.65 ozt

A similar mark is given a possible attribution in Mitchell, D., Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London: their lives and their marks, Woodbridge: Boydell Press, (2017), p.221.

Harrison was the son of Robert Harrison of London, a citizen and fruiterer and was apprenticed to plateworker Thomas Rutter for eight years on 1653, probably from the Fruiterer’s Company. For the 1666 Hearth Tax, an Abraham Harrison was assessed as having two hearths. He was paid £108 15s for a gilt basin and three gilt flagons for St Paul’s Covent Garden. His mark is not found from 1682 so it is presumed he either died or left the city.

Other silver possibly by Harrison

An alms dish of 1675 (Jesus college, Cambridge)

A lobed bowl of 1675 (Christie’s 1922)

A tankard of 1676 sold Christie’s London, 30 Nov 2006, Lot 713 £13,200 incl. premium, previously sold at Christie’s 1953)

A caudle cup of 1676 (Christie’s New York 1977)

A circular dish of 1678 (Christie’s 1927)

A porringer and cover of 1678 (Christie’s 1920)

An alms plate of 1678 (Messrs Crichton, Jackson’s 1921)

A tankard of 1679 (Christie’s 1911)

A gilt tankard “circa 1680”, sold Sotheby’s London, 1 June 2000 (£9,360 incl. premium, previously at Christie’s 32 June 1978, lot 166)