From the Collection of Mrs Jane How. An important George II Sugar Box/Tea Caddy made in London in 1731 by John Newton.
From the Collection of Mrs Jane How. An important George II Sugar Box/Tea Caddy made in London in 1731 by John Newton.
375283
This very rare piece is of broad rectangular form and stands on a stepped base. The sides are all flat chased and engraved with outer borders of strapwork, enclosing diaper, festoons, foliate scrolls and very unusual masks, the individual wearing a stylised head dress. The front and reverse is engraved with a contemporary Armorial surrounded by baroque cartouches, raying shells and foliate scrolls. The hinged, bevelled, cover displays a flat chased border decorated with raying flower heads and foliate motifs. The cover centres with a cylindrical finial, the top engraved with a beautiful rosette. This piece is in excellent condition and is fully marked on the base. This piece was formerly in the Collection of Mrs Jane How, one of the foremost, and most famous, British silver dealers of the 20th century. Mrs How had a wonderful shop in the 17th century Pickering Place in St.James's and a picture of her is shown with one of her great Old English Mastiffs, outside St. James's Palace, which was very near to her shop. This piece was sold in the auction of her collection, after her death, in 2007, where it made £ 5,600, plus the premium, totalling £ 6,600.
The Armorial is that of Fawkes impaling Atkins of Farnley Hall, County Yorkshire. Thomas Fawkes married Rebecca Maria Atkins of St. Andrews, Holborn on 29th May, 1730, so this was almost certainly made to celebrate their marriage. Thomas was born at Farley Hall and his wife Rebecca was the daughter of Sir Henry Atkins, 3rd Baronet. The family greatly patronised Turner and they still own a number of his paintings and drawings. A watercolour of the oldest part of Farnley Hall, by Turner, is attached. The Catholic conspiritor Guido (Guy) Fawkes, of the Gunpowder Plot, was descended from the Fawkes family of Farnley Hall
With regard to the maker, John Newton, he was apprenticed to John Farnell, 5th February, 1719. He entered his first mark as a large worker on 4th April, 1726, with workshops in Staining Lane. He was second in a line of specialist tea caddy makers, the first being his Master John Farnell, and the third being the prolific Samuel Taylor, who was apprentice to him in 1736. Newton had a distinctive maker's mark, all contained in a heart shaped punch.
Height: 4.1 inches.
Length: 2.75 inches.
Width: 2.5 inches.
Weight: 8.25 oz.
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 Fawkes, of the Gunpowder Plot, was descended from the Fawkes family of Farnley HallWith regard to the maker, John Newton, he was apprenticed to John Farnell, 5th February, 1719. He entered his first mark as a large worker on 4th April, 1726, with workshops in Staining Lane. He was second in a line of specialist tea caddy makers, the first being his Master John Farnell, and the third being the prolific Samuel Taylor, who was apprentice to him in 1736. Newton had a distinctive maker's mark, all contained in a heart shaped punch.Height: 4.1 inches.Length: 2.75 inches.Width: 2.5 inches.Weight: 8.25 oz.){kind=link}