(In possession of Messrs. Garrard.)
It is thus seen that the design of the metal-worker is perennial; it belongs to no especial period and to no particular country. The working of silver is one of the oldest arts crafts of man. “There is nothing new under the sun,” said Solomon, and although his mind was not fixed on the arts and crafts, there is an applicability about the adage. The caprice of fashion has determined for how long a period a certain form should be in use, till it was replaced by some other form—a deviation from the former or a reversion to an older form. It is the pleasure of the collector to unravel the motives which led to changes or which put a dead stop to inventiveness. Every object he examines, every specimen he owns, is another fact which stands in the long chain enabling him to pick his way from one conclusion to another. The premises are there, the data is his, if only his conclusions be sound.
SALE PRICES.
POSSET-POTS.
Prices vary considerably, according to the character of the example.
Charles II examples being from 100s. to 300s. per oz. Four examples have sold for as much as £400.
PORRINGERS.
Unique and early examples are just as expensive as posset-pots.
Charles II specimens have realized from £300 to £600.