An outstanding George II Snuffer Tray & Scissors made in London in 1734 by John White

The exceptional Snuffer Tray has a waisted form, with raised plain rim and incuse corners.  It stands on four cast six sided feet and displays a flying scroll carrying handle, chased with leaf capping.  The Tray displays a beautiful, crisp, border of engraving including Rococo shells, scrolls and trellis work panels.  The Tray is engraved, at each end, with a contemporary Crest.  The scissors are modelled in the early design with plain, round, finger grips and pointed end to remove the candles and wax from the candlestick socket.  The snuffing box is also engraved with the same Rococo designs as seen on the tray, as well as a shaped cartouche containing the same Crest, as is seen on the tray.  The interior of the box also contains a steel plate, to aide with the trimming of the wick, a feature nearly always seen on snuffer scissors from all periods.  Both pieces are in excellent, crisp, condition and are of an excellent weight and colour.  The base of the tray displays a full set of marks and the interior of the snuffing box is marked four times with IW for John White.  Each piece is also engraved with its original scratch weight.

John White was apprenticed to Robert Cooper and free on 3^rd December, 1719.  He had workshops at the corner of Arundel Street, Stand, when these pieces were made.  A.G. Grimwade in “London Goldsmiths 1697-1837”, states that “White is a mysterious figure, as his work, somewhat rare, is of high quality and Huguenot character, without there being any apparent connection in his training or parentage with the immigre school.  He either was, or employed, a particularly fine engraver who made considerable use of a grinning mask of Hogarthian type in the cartouches enclosing coats of arms and in strapwork borders.”

The engraving shown on this piece is of the finest quality as Grimwade emphasises.  It is the finest Snuffer Tray and Scissors we have offered over all of our dealing years, especially as it is decorated in the high Rococo style.

TRAY:

Length: 7 inches.

Width, at the widest point: 3.5 inches.

Height, to the top of the handle: 1.7 inches.

Weight:8oz, 2dwt.

SCISSORS:

Length: 5.9 inches.

Width, across the finger rings: 1.9 inches.

Height, to the top of the snuffing box: 1.45 inches.

Weight: 4oz, 4dwt.