Silver, London hallmarks for 1726-27, mark of Paul de Lamerie

A George I sauceboat on four lobed pad feet with S-scroll legs gadroon and foliate decoration. The body is decorated with scroll, foliate, rosette and strapwork motifs on a matted ground. Blank cartouches on either side are supported by chased shells. Above the central rib, Roman profile busts in oval plaques are set on a ground of chased latticework. The elaborate upper edge and mouth of the sauceboat is formed of scrolls which culminate in an S-scroll handle. The handle springs from an applied shell on the inside and is surmounted by an applied acanthus leaf. The handle has foliate and vertebral decoration. The mouth of the boat is supported by a large chased shell.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Provenance: Sotheby's, lot 484 (through S. J. Phillips), 11/11/1993.

Paul de Lamerie (1688-1751) was the greatest silversmith working in England in the 18th century. A Huguenot or French Protestant he came to London with his parents, fleeing persecution in France. His success lay in his own exceptional creativity in producing stunning objects, but also in his ability as a businessman, retailing some astonishingly spectacular silver using the best and most innovative suppliers in the trade.

This sauceboat epitomizes the sophisticated cast and chased ornament characteristic of the silver vessels made by Huguenot craftsmen in London. The exciting combination of shells and acanthus foliage which embellish the handle and the spout and the sophisticated surface embellishment including the diaper pattern which imitates the woven patterns found in contemporary table linen.

Sir Arthur Gilbert collected over twenty-five pieces marked de Lamerie. On display in the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Galleries in addition to this sauceboat of 1726-7, are a pair of 1722-3 soup tureens and later soup ladles. The most elaborate pieces were modelled and chased by the celebrated ‘Maynard Master’ in de Lamerie's workshop. These include the 1738-9 Le Quesne tea kettle,1743-4 coffee pot, the 1742-3 Mountrath ewer and the 1743-4 two handled cup and cover, a 1736-7 waiter and a pair of 1742-3 salvers. The candelabra and bread basket supplied by de Lamerie in 1731-2 for Britain's first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole were acquired as GIlbert was as interested in the association with leading past collectors as in the craftsmen who supplied and made this extraordinary silver.

Ex cat.

This sauceboat is in the fashionable French Régence style, with strong contours chased classical masks and a scroll handle. It was made by the most successful second generation Huguenot goldsmith in London, Paul de Lamerie (1688-1751).

When the Catholic King Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685, Huguenots (French Protestants) were forced to leave the country. Many were craftsmen who settled in London. Their technical skills and fashionable French style ensured the luxury silver, furniture, watches and jewellery they made were highly sought after. Huguenot specialists transformed English silver by introducing higher standards of craftsmanship. They promoted new forms, such as the soup tureen and sauceboat, and introduced a new repertoire of ornament, with cast sculptural details and exquisite engraving.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.

LOAN:GILBERT.667-2008