A George II sterling silver graduated set of casters, London 1743 by Elizabeth Godfrey (reg. 29^th June 1741)

Comprising a sugar caster and two pepper casters. Each of baluster form upon spreading circular feet, the pull-off domed lids surmounted by compressed knop finials. The lid with spirally fluted with pierced decoration of alternating scrolls and nought cross. The front of each caster with an engraved contemporaneous impaled coat of arms in an asymmetrical rocaille cartouche flanked by foliage. Each fully marked underneath, the lid with maker’s mark and lion passant to the bezel. (3)

Tallest – 20.5 cm / 7.9 inches

Shorter – 17.1 cm / 6.75 inches

Weight – 986 grams / 31.7 ozt

The arms are almost certainly for Musgrave impaling Chichester

For George Musgrave Esq (1717-1742) of Nettlecombe and Combe Sydenham, both in Somerset who married Katherine Chichester (c.1718-1767) on the 31^st July 1740. He the son of George Musgrave (1685-1724) and Mary Clarke (1687-1937). She the daughter of Sir John Chichester 4th Baronet of Raleigh (1688-1740) and Anne Leigh (1695-1723).

The mural monument attributed to John Rysbrack (Flemish 1694-1770) for George with this coat of arms exists in Stogumber Church.

Provenance: Purchased at Bracher & Sydenham in 1950

Elizabeth Godfrey also known as Eliza Godfrey, she is regarded as the most prominent woman goldsmith from the 18th century. Born into a silversmithing family and widowed twice in her lifetime she went on to gain Royal Patronage. Born Elizabeth Pantin, to Simon Panin a notable Huguenot silversmith, she is believed to have learned of the trade in her father’s workshops, which were run by her mother Mary Pantin in 1733 following the death of her brother Simon II. She married Abraham Buteux on the 11^th Feb 1720, who upon his presumed death she registered her first mark as Elizabeth Buteux on the 15^th Nov 1731. She carried on this business until her marriage to her journey man Benjamin Godfrey on the 3rd October 1732. Her mark as Elizabeth Buteux is rarely encountered having been used little over a year. Her mark as Elizabeth Godfrey was registered on 29^th June 1741, upon the death of Benjamin Godfrey. Her last recorded activity is in 1758 which may denote retirement or death. The quality of work bearing her marks attests to the status of her patrons, most notably H.R.H the Duke of Cumberland as stated on her trade card. Godfrey’s best works reflect the height of rococo design which swept through the British Isles in the 1730s and 40s.