Lot 356
A George II salver
Auction: 13 February 2008 at 11:00 GMT
Description
by Lawrence Oliphant, Edinburgh 1739-1740, acting Assay Master David Mitchell, of serpentine hexagonal form with an everted raised border, the flat chased with rococo scroll and foliater border with panels of flower heads and fruit, the centre engraved with armorial and crest, raised on three scroll and hoof feet
Dimensions
22cm diameter, 12oz
Footnote
Notes: Engraved with the shield of OGILVIE quartering SINCLAIR with the crest and motto borne by the Earls of FINDLATER (created 1638, extinct 1811) with the incongruous addition of an English cadency mark for a second son and an esquire's helm engraved 'contourny'. This is a very unusual occurance in heraldry.
The use of David Mitchell's mark struck on this piece as acting Assay Master, makes the dating of this piece far more precise than normally possible. In February 1740, the Archibald Ure resigned his post as Assay Master after fourteen years. As no suitable candidate could be found to fill the post it was decided that the Deacon should act as the Assay Master and strike his mark until a suitable candidate could be elected. In his role as Decaon David Mitchell struck his mark as acting Assay Master from February until September 1740. After this point the following Deacons, Dougal Ged (1710 - 1741) and Edward Lothian (1742 - 1744) strike their Deacons marks again as acting Assay Masters marks, until in 1744 Hugh Gordon fills the post of Assay Master and the normal relationship and duties of Deacon and Assay Master resume.