An interesting George II sterling silver coffee pot, London 1727 by Richard Gurney and Thomas Cook (reg. 19th Oct 1727) additionally struck for William Darker (first reg. 17th Jan 1719)

Of tapering cylindrical form with moulded rim, the hinged domed and waisted lid surmounted by a compressed circular knop finial. The panelled straight spout opposite a wooden C scroll handle. The side engraved with a crest of a stag’s head cabossed winged. Fully marked to the underside edge, lion passant to lid flange.

Height – 23 cm / 9 inches

Weight – 954 grams / 30.67 ozt

Richard Gurney was apprenticed to Richard Bayley, taken on 2nd May 1717 (free 3rd September 1724). Thomas Cook apprenticed to Richard Bayley on the 11th June 1719 (free 22nd September 1726), he initially registered on his own mark on the 7th June of 1727, but registered a partnership with Gurney some four months later giving their address as the Golden Cup, Foster Lane.

William Darker, son of John Darker of Slougthon in the Country of Leicester, recorded as a gentleman was apprenticed to Richard Bayley on the 27th November 1711 (free 4th December 1718). The mark present on this pot was registered on the 23rd June 1724, with the address given as ‘at the Rose over against St. Martin’s Lane in ye Strand'. His previous address was given as “Acron” Foster Lane. Elected to the Livery in December 1725.

The fact that all three men were apprenticed to Richard Bayley, a noted coffee pot maker, who also operated in Foster Lane and was elected Prime Warden of Goldsmiths Hall in 1751, infers a potential supply chain between these four men. As Darker registered his mark very soon after gaining his freedom whereas Richard Gurney took three years suggests that he was working as a journeyman for either his former master Baily or fellow apprentice Darker.