A George II rococo cast silver cream-boat/jug, maker's mark of Christian Hillan, London, date letter worn 1738 or 1749,
404
A George II rococo cast silver cream-boat/jug
by Christian Hillan, London, date letter worn 1738 or 1749
Oval bombé form with wavy rim and raised on four asymmetrical scroll supports terminating in fluted pads, each support capped with a couchant cow and the sides decorated with various shells on matted ground, beneath the lip is a mask and the scroll handle has a snake coiled around, engraved with a crest and a coat of arms, height 8.5cm, length 12.2cm, weight 5.93oz.
Sold for £1,125 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • Literature: see page 546, A. G. Grimwade. "London Goldsmiths 1697 - 1837"

    There is some confusion over Christian Hillan's name, possibly because he was an immigrant. His first mark was entered as large worker, 20th April 1736, the name entered in the register is 'Hyland' (with a later note above 'ye name is Hillan) but he signs 'Hyllan.' For his subsequent entries, he is noted as Hillan. Ambrose Heal adds to this confusion in recording him as Charles.

    There are few surviving examples of Christian Hillan's work but, those that do, exhibit his ability as an exponent of Rococo silver-smithing. Please see numbers 889 and 895 on page 206 of Vanessa Brett, "The Directory of Silver 1600-1940" (London 1986).

    The arms of FANE engraved on a lozenge for a spinster and a later crest for BAMFIELD of Cornwall and Devon. (FANE is family name of the Earls of Westmorland).

Category: Decorative Arts / Silver

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