A Charles II silver-gilt sconce, attributed to Robert Smythier, London, circa 1670

engraved with a crest and Garter motto below an applied earl's coronet, the coronet maker's mark of Paul Storr of Storr & Co for Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, probably 1808-1819, the three pans of the branches are engraved with the same crest and Garter motto below an earl's coronet

Christie's, London, 19 February 1947, part of lot 159;
E.& C.T. Koopman & Son Ltd., London;
The Private Collection of the Late Stanley J. Seeger

Later wood backing and the silver backplate with six later screws glued to make wood fit, the branches are apparently unmarked and are later than circa 1670; main backplate fitted with strengthening plates for crown, branches and wall mount, and apparently lacquered over the gilt surface. The a small split near the bottom where branch joins with the backplate, chased ornament generally in good condition, later gilt, good clear maker's mark, bold embossing of a lively and fine quality with little apparent repair.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Engraved with the crest of Lowther within a Garter motto for William Lowther, 1^st Earl of Lonsdale (1757-1844), who was so created on 7 April 1807, becoming a Knight of the Garter a few months later on 18 July.  He was married on 12 July 1781 at St. James’s, Westminster, to Augusta (1761-1838), eldest daughter of John Fane, 9^thEarl of Westmorland, by whom he had six children. He died at York House, Twickenham, near London, at the age of 86.

This sconce is one of the six sold as a set in the Londsale sale at Christie’s, London, on 19 February 1947, lot 159. According to the catalogue description, two of the back plates bore the maker’s mark IN, a bird below, and the London date letter for apparently 1668, while the remainder bore the mark of Charles Shelley and dated from circa 1670; they were fitted with Britannia standard branches, pans and nozzles and the applied earl’s coronets bore the maker’s mark of Paul Storr. The lot was purchased by ‘Lindon’ for £1,150, the second highest price in the sale. By 1970, when the sconces were mentioned and illustrated in Caroline Silver, the author, Charles Oman, in his discussion of mostly royal late 17^th Century wall sconces, wrote of only four engraved with the Lowther (Earl of Londsale) crest and Garter motto: two maker’s mark IN, a bird below, 1668, and two with maker’s mark S crowned only.¹ This maker’s mark, thought by Christie’s in 1947 to be that of Charles Shelley, is now attributed to Robert Smythier. The latter gained his freedom in 1660 and his mark has been found ‘on many pieces (including royal) between 1664 and 1686.’² Christopher Hartop reminds us that the royal goldsmiths, Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, purchased a quantity of 17^th Century sconces, firedogs and other items from the Jewel Office in 1808 ‘ to fund a separate establishment for the Princess of Wales.’ The firm made further purchases of royal plate from the Jewel Office in 1817 and again in 1823³ and it is clear that the Earl of Lonsdale, who is known to have been one of Rundell’s customers, bought these former royal sconces from them. This is confirmed by the presence of the maker’s mark of Paul Storr (between 1807 and 1819 Rundell’s chief manufacturing silversmith), which is struck on the applied earl’s coronet of the present sconce.

1. p. 55, pl. 64a

2. Ian Pickford, editor, Jackson’s Silver & Gold Marks, Woodbridge, 1989, p. 126, line 2

3. Royal Goldsmiths The Art of Rundell & Bridge 1797-1843, exhibition catalogue, Koopman Rare Art, London, 2005, pp. 92-93