14th Jan, 2023 9:30 GMT/BST
Jewellery, Watches & Silver
2068
An Indian Colonial Silver Saucepan
by John Mair and Colin Robinson, Calcutta, 1799-1800
tapering cylindrical and with beak-form spout, with part-turned wood handle, the detachable cover engraved with a crest and with turned-wood finial
27cm wide over handle, gross weight 19oz 3dwt, 595gr
Provenance:
Presumably Sotheby's, possibly 1980s.
Literature:
W. Wilkinson, Indian Colonial Silver, European Silversmiths in India (1790-1860) and Their Marks, London, 1987, pp. 125-126.
The crest is probably that of Seton, most likely for William Dalrymple Seton (1774-1804). Seton was the second son of the London Merchant Andrew Seton (d.1794) and his wife Margaret. Seton was described as "... a bold and gallant man, whose short life was mostly spent at sea." (G. Seton, History of the Family of Seton During Eight Centuries, Edinburgh, 1896, vol. I, p.302). He was to die in 1804 when the ship Marion sank on a voyage from New York to Leghorn.
This would not be the only piece of silver connected to Seton. A bowl by Hugh Wishart, now in the collection of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (accession number 1979.46), is engraved by William Rollinson with an inscription recording its presentation to Seton by the President and Directors of the New York Insurance Company commemorating his efforts in defending their ship, the Northern Liberties, against the French privateer Malantic. The attack took place in the Bay of Bengal on 13 December 1799 which would place Seton in India during the short partnership of Mair and Robinson.
Sold for £500
Estimated at £250 - £350
Marked underneath with maker's mark M&R twice and key mark twice. The marks are clear. There is some overall surface scratching and wear, consistent with age and use. The is also a minor bruise to the edge of the cover. The handle was originally detachable but is now fixed in place. The carved handle and finial are perhaps replaced.
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Auction: Jewellery, Watches & Silver, 14th Jan, 2023
Jewellery, Watches & Silver Sales bring together a wide a range of affordable period and modern jewellery, vintage and collectable watches, and silver from the 18th to 21st century.
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