George II Antique English Silver Oblong Salver

• London, 1734 by Paul Crespin
• Dimensions: 19 1/8 inches in length, 14 inches in width

A spectacular George II Antique English Silver Oblong Salver. This piece is quite wonderful as the shape is quite rare, and the workmanship and the design are exceptional. In general, most salvers are round-shaped and as this piece is oblong, it becomes very sought after. This superb George II Antique English Silver Salver is made by Paul Crespin, who produced superb pieces and was one of the most influential Huguenot silversmiths working in England at this time. Huguenots were French Protestants who fled their country after they were persecuted by the French Catholic government during a very violent period. Huguenots created settlements all over Europe, the United States, and Africa. Many of the Huguenots were skilled artists, like silversmiths, and their influence on English silver was enormous. They introduced new forms of silver made in new shapes incorporating distinct techniques. The workmanship is in the Paul DeLamerie style, (who was the most famous silversmith in this period, – read more about Paul Crespin in Great Silversmiths section) as it has a molded rim with a reeded edge. The salver has notched rounded corners and is engraved within an elaborate border. There are four reserves of busts and four corners reserves with fruit-filled cornucopia, on cast bracket feet. This George II Antique English Silver Oblong Salver is an exceptional piece that is in pristine condition and would enhance any collection of English silver.

To learn more about Paul Crespin, please refer back to Great Silversmiths under the Antique Silver section.