A George II sterling silver Warwick cruet, London 1758 by Samuel Wood (first reg. 3rd July 1733)

The cinquefoil lobed base raised on four double C scroll shell feet, with supporting ring superstructure, the central detachable carrying handle with shaped scroll and rocaille section. The front with a cast and applied foliate scroll and rocaille cartouche engraved with a later impaled coat of arms above AGINCOURT. Fitted with a graduated set of three casters of same date and maker, each of baluster form with spiral fluting, each with a removable lid with pierced decoration surmounted by a wrythen finial. One caster blind with internal sheath. With a later pair of silver mounted oil and vinegar bottles, London 1791 by Peter and Anne Bateman, with faceted clear glass bodies. The casters and bottles later engraved with a crest of issuing out a cloud a dexter hand holding a club, with the motto above Frappe Forte and the initials below AEW. Fully marked underneath stand and to casters, the carrying handle and caster lids with lion passant and makers mark only, the bottles with part-marks. The underside of stand with scratch weight 30 ozt.

Height – 25.7 cm / 10 inches

Weighable silver – 1432 grams / 46.04 ozt

The crest is for Wodehouse

The arms are for Wodehouse impaling Ashburnham

For Reverend Algernon Wodehouse (1814-1882) and Lady Eleanor Isabel Bridget Ashburnham (1814-1895), who were married November 26th 1844. Algernon was the second son of Rev. Hon. William Wodehouse (1782-1870), who was the son of John Wodehouse, 1st Baron Wodehouse of Kimberley (1741-1834), and his wife Mary Hussey (d.1865) who was the granddaughter of Horatio Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1723-1809). Lady Eleanor was the daughter of George Ashburnham, 3rd Earl of Ashburnham (1760-1830) and Lady Charlotte Percy (1776-1862) the daughter of Algernon Percy, 1st Earl of Beverley (1749-1830).

Samuel Wood (1703/04 – 1790) was the most prolific caster maker of the 18^th century, he was apprenticed to Thomas Bamford on the 7th June 1721. He was a Warden of Goldsmiths Hall 1758-60 and the prime warden in 1763. The continuous line of 18^th century master and apprentice in caster making is found with Charles Adam training Thomas Bamford, Bamford training Wood and then Wood training Jabez Daniell, and finally Daniell training James Mince.