Ellis Finch
Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department
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A George III silver two-handled basket probably by Solomon Hougham, London 1808
18 – 19 April 2023, 10:00 BST
London, KnightsbridgeSold for £1,657.50 inc. premium
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A George III silver two-handled basket
probably by Solomon Hougham, London 1808
Of rectangular form, the cast and applied straight-gadroon border embellished with anthemion leaves and foliate scrolls, demi-fluted body, the inside base engraved with a dedication: "The Tanners of England to Samuel Beddome Esq to perpetuate their grateful rememberance of his ability, zeal and perserverance, as one of the members of a select committee who obtained from an enlightened legislature, on the 1st June 1808 the repeal of the oppressive Statute 1 James 1st C.22", surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves and acorns, all on a deep collet foot raised on four ball feet, length 44cm, weight 51oz.
Of rectangular form, the cast and applied straight-gadroon border embellished with anthemion leaves and foliate scrolls, demi-fluted body, the inside base engraved with a dedication: "The Tanners of England to Samuel Beddome Esq to perpetuate their grateful rememberance of his ability, zeal and perserverance, as one of the members of a select committee who obtained from an enlightened legislature, on the 1st June 1808 the repeal of the oppressive Statute 1 James 1st C.22", surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves and acorns, all on a deep collet foot raised on four ball feet, length 44cm, weight 51oz.
Footnotes
Provenance
From The Silver Collection of Dr Andrew J Rainey
Samuel Beddome was a successful tanner, born in Gloucestershire in 1754. He died on 28 Dec 1815 in Clapham, Surrey, aged 60.
Little is known about Statute 1 c.22 passed by James I in 1603. The Act, seen by many as restrictive and oppressive, appears to have caused friction between different groups working within the leather trade particularly curriers, shoemakers and tanners. It dealt with issues such as the buying and processing of oak bark (extensively used in the tanning process) and of rough hides and calf skins, and the cutting of leather skins. The Act was intended to protect the interests of certain groups by defining which arms of the leather trade could do what. However in practice it seems that it came in time to prevent efficiency and freedom in the trade as a whole. It is not clear what role Samuel Beddome played in achieving the repeal of this Act in 1808.