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Lot 55^*

An English Silver-Hilted Small-Sword
By Jefferys & Drury, Cutler To His Majesty, Silver Maker's Mark AR, Circa 1771

29 April 2010, 11:00 BST

London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £1,560 inc. premium

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An English Silver-Hilted Small-Sword
By Jefferys & Drury, Cutler To His Majesty, Silver Maker's Mark AR, Circa 1771

With bright sharply tapering blade of hollow triangular section retaining faint traces of etching on both sides at the forte, hilt comprising slightly upturned shaped ovoidal shell-guard, quillon-block and globular pommel all pierced and chased with scrolling foliated tendrils within bright-cut ribboned borders centred on scrolling foliage, the quillons and knuckle-guard en suite, and grip bound with twisted silver and plain copper wire, in original vellum-covered scabbard (some damage) with signed silver locket, chape and suspension mount chased en suite with the hilt, and with two rings for suspension (2)
81.3 cm. blade

Footnotes

Provenance:
Christie's London, Antique Arms and Armour, 29 October 1986, lot 50

Offered with a copy of the Memoirs of Sir John Eardley Wilmot, Knt. (London, 1811), the original owner of the sword

John Eardley Wilmot (b. 1709 - d. 1792) was educated at Lichfield alongside Samuel Johnson and David Garrick before Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. Called to the Bar in 1732 and married in 1743 he had three sons and two daughters, the youngest son being the author of the memoirs offered with this lot. He was appointed Serjeant-at-law and a judge on the King's Bench in 1755, being knighted at the same time, and became Commissioner of the Great Seal in 1756. He served as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas between 1766 and 1771, when he resigned. He was a member of the Privy council from 1766 and following the American Revolutionary War was a commissioner into claims by American loyalists for compensation

The partnership of Jefferys & Drury appears to have only lasted for a year. A sword by the same makers, hallmarked for 1771, is in the Museum of London (reg. no. Z.588). See footnote to lot 51

Additional information

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