A George II sterling silver salver, London 1744 by Robert Abercromby (first mark alone reg. 5th Oct 1731)

Of shaped circular form with a shaped cavetto edge, the rim formed as rocaille shell and rocaille C scrolls. Raised on four cast lion paw and acanthus scroll feet. The plain field centered with an engraved impaled coat of arms within strapwork scroll and laurel mantling. Fully marked to the reverse and with engraved initials C over B A in Roman script.

Diameter – 42 cm / 16.5 inches

Weight – 1683 grams / 54.11 ozt

A salver with a near identical rim, of 1743 by Abercromby, 53 cm in diameter was sold Christie’s New York, 24 Jan 2020, Lot 466.

A salver also of 1744 marked for Peter Archambo with identical feet castings is in the collection of silver at Williamsburg, illustrated Davis, J. D., English Silver at Williamsburg, (1976), Virginia: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. P.132-3.

A salver of 1747 marked for John Robinson II with identical feet castings is illustrated in Carver Wees, B., English, Irish & Scottish Silver at the Sterling and Francine Clark Institute, (1997), New York: Hudson Hill Press, P. 456.

These feet were achieved by casting two identical halves that were then seemed together, with additional chasing to the acanthus section. The presence of this identical casting on salvers marked for three different sponsors infers a central supplier to the London trade.

Abercromby was a specialist in salver production, although there is no record of his freedom or apprenticeship he may be the Robert Abercromby who was a journeyman for John Carnaby in Newcastle in the 1720’s, he first registered a mark with George Hindmarsh on the 11th May 1731. When this partnership dissolved, he registered a mark on his own from New Rents, St. Martin’s Le Grand, where he continued to operate upon registering later marks.