Sauceboats were among the pieces of domestic silver which emerged during the second decade of the eighteenth century, possibly because George I introduced certain types of sauces to England at that time. Early examples had a pouring lip on either side of the vessel, in between which were two scroll handles. Rococo sauceboats were beautifully ornate and by the 1740s the earlier moulded base was surpassed in fashion by three or four cast feet in ornamental shapes, while the outline of the vessel evolved into an oval or bombe form which was concurrently in use for tureens. The delightfully elaborate scroll handle, positioned opposite the pouring lip, was one of the major attractions of the sauceboat of this period. (more…)

Silver frames for mirrors or photographs

The decorative silver frame, used mostly nowadays for photographs, appeared for mirrors after the Restoration, late seventeenth century oblong examples being heavily ornamented with naturalistic decoration between gadrooning or complex beading, and surmounted by a coat-of-arms in a complex setting. Such fine examples might be among gifts to the royal family or court. Other types of decorative frames were also popular in the eighteenth century, perhaps being made of wood or gesso which was gilded and carved. Nineteenth century silver examples became more numerous not only for mirrors but, in later years and into the Edwardian era, for photographs. (more…)