Ellis Finch
Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department
This auction has ended. View lot details
You may also be interested in
Lot 63*
An Elizabeth I silver-gilt mounted stoneware jug London 1567, makers mark conjoined HK, see Jackson's page 95, Jackson's page 241 indicates the maker to be Hugh Kayle or Keale, where the maker's mark is recorded on a cover for a stoneware jug, with later silver-gilt foot with some indistinct marks
1 July 2025, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street£4,000 - £6,000
Looking for a similar item?
Our Home and Interiors specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
Oliver Cornish
Sale Coordinator for Furniture, Sculpture, Rugs & Tapestries
Lewis Browning
Specialist
An Elizabeth I silver-gilt mounted stoneware jug
London 1567, makers mark conjoined HK, see Jackson's page 95, Jackson's page 241 indicates the maker to be Hugh Kayle or Keale, where the maker's mark is recorded on a cover for a stoneware jug, with later silver-gilt foot with some indistinct marks
The later 17th century German stoneware body of 'gorge' form with ribbed cylindrical neck, with stamped medallion to the front within a 'ladder' frame, the hinged cover with embossed masks within strap work panels and interspersed with fruit clusters, over a stippled ground, the knop form finial issuing from the centre of a rose, with a Tudor rose outline, with a mythical beast issuing from the cast double acorn and oak leaf thump-piece, the engraved box-shaped hinge mount issuing with leaf motif over the handle, the collar with engraved scrolling strapwork bands, the later spreading foot with embossed and chased interspersed foliate panels, height 20.5cm.
The later 17th century German stoneware body of 'gorge' form with ribbed cylindrical neck, with stamped medallion to the front within a 'ladder' frame, the hinged cover with embossed masks within strap work panels and interspersed with fruit clusters, over a stippled ground, the knop form finial issuing from the centre of a rose, with a Tudor rose outline, with a mythical beast issuing from the cast double acorn and oak leaf thump-piece, the engraved box-shaped hinge mount issuing with leaf motif over the handle, the collar with engraved scrolling strapwork bands, the later spreading foot with embossed and chased interspersed foliate panels, height 20.5cm.
Footnotes
From an Irish Gentleman's Private Collection Of Silver.
Hugh Kayle or Keale or Keall was a London goldsmith who served Elizabeth I as Royal Goldsmith from 1577. His earliest mention as Goldsmith was about 1560.
On 4th July 1561 he was free by patrimony.
From 1566 his address is given as Lombard Street, twixt R. Tailboys (Robert Taylboyes) and M. Stockeden.
He was a son of John Keale, also a goldsmith. Hugh Kayle was a churchwarden of St Mary Woolnoth in 1574 and 1575. This church was located on the corner of Lombard Street. It was at this church between 1562 and 1581 he baptised his three daughters and five sons.
When Elizabeth I became queen in 1558, Affabel Partridge and another goldsmith named Robert Brandon became her official goldsmiths. Later, in 1577, Hugh Keall also joined them. On the death of Partridge, Hugh Kayle and Richard Martin took over as the royal goldsmiths.
It is said Kayle marked silverware supplied to the queen with a special punch. In 1578 he made a silver basin for the queen's privy chamber.
In 1581, amongst other plate, he made two silver setting sticks for the queen. These were used to set or shape the queen's ruffs. The sticks went missing in 1595 and a lady of the bedchamber, Margaret Astley (the second wife of John Astley), was held responsible.
Hugh Kayle was in partnership with Sir Richard Martin from 1586 - 1599. Sir Richard Martin was also an English goldsmith and Master of the Mint who served as Sheriff and twice as Lord Mayor of the City of London and Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company 1592 - 93.
Hugh Kayle was appointed to The Court of Assistants, at The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. This is the governing body of the Goldsmiths' Company. The most senior members of the Court of Assistants are the Prime Warden and the Wardens, collectively known as the Court of Wardens. As part of The Court of Wardens he was appointed 3rd Warden from 1587 – 88, 2nd Warden 1590 – 91, and was appointed Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company for the period 1595 – 96, it records him as being sworn in on 15th July 1595. On The Prime Warden board at Goldsmiths' there is another spelling of his name Hugh Kaylle.
In 1591 Richard Martin and Hugh Kayle supplied Queen Elizabeth with silver plate worth £2,213, some plate was for New Year's Day gifts and some for christening gifts.
'In 1594 several grants for payment of money for jewels and plate, for New Year's gifts and presents to ambassadors, are recorded to them. In 1594, £2,365 10s. 8d.; 1597, £2,230 14s. 10d.; 1599, £2,377 18s. 3d.'
In records held at Goldsmiths' it is recorded on 2nd July 1593 Hugh put £30 on Sir Walter Raleigh's venture.
Literature:
H. D. W. Sitwell, 'The Jewel House and the Royal Goldsmiths', Archaeological Journal, 117 (1960), page 150.
William Chaffers, 'Gilda Aurifabrorum, A History of English Goldsmiths and Plateworkers' (1899), page 54.
Arthur J. Collins, Jewels and Plate of Queen Elizabeth (London, 1955), p. 559 no. 1459 and p. 572 no. 1514.
The Goldsmiths' Company, Goldsmiths' Hall Library archive.
Additional information
Bid now on these items
