Live Auction 2560Important English, Continental and American Silver
A GEORGE III SILVER EPERGNE
Lot 128 SOLD WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE CHIPSTONE FOUNDATION TO BENEFIT THE ACQUISITIONS FUND

A GEORGE III SILVER EPERGNE

MARK OF THOMAS PITTS, LONDON, 1762

Closed17 May 2012

Price Realised

USD 40,000

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A GEORGE III SILVER EPERGNE
MARK OF THOMAS PITTS, LONDON, 1762
The oval openwork frame on four scroll and foliate legs, with a foliate and flower apron, supporting a central openwork basket and four branches supporting shaped circular dishes, the rims with shells and flowers at intervals, and four branches suspending circular baskets with swing handles, the central basket with a vacant cartouche, fully marked
12¾ in. (32.4 cm.) high; 149 oz. (4,664 gr.)

Specialist note

Thomas Pitts was born in London and apprenticed first to Charles Hatfield and later to David Willaume, gaining his freedom in 1744. His mark, which must appear early in the missing register of 1758-1773, had previously been attributed to Thomas Powell. However, on the strength of entries in the Parker and Wakelin "Workmen's Ledgers" which list pages of epergnes by Pitts, the mark has been re-attributed (see Arthur Grimwade, London Goldsmiths 1697-1837 Their Marks and Lives, page 626).