A PAIR OF MID 18TH CENTURY GEORGE II CAST SILVER CHINOISERIE SALTS, ENGRAVED WITH THE CREST OF THE EARLS OF PORTSMOUTH.
By David Hennell, London, 1757-58, circular, with moulded gadrooned rims, the sides cast and chased in high relief with chrysanthemums, figures in an asiatic landscape and crest of the Earls of Portsmouth engraved within a scroll, the crests of the Earls of Portsmouth engraved over an earlier erased crest, on three cast spreading shell feet with "chinese gentleman" mask knees, also in high relief. 91.1 grams and 95.8 grams respectively (186.9 grams, 6 troy ounces approx), the bowls 2.75 inches (70mm) wide approx. with gilt interiors.
Light polishing overall, commensurate with age and use, oherwise good condition and the gilt interiors still bright and virtuallly intact.
The crest of Wallop, Earls of Portsmouth, comprises an earl's coronet above a mermaid holding a mirror in her right hand and her empty left hand aloft.
Salts accompanied by research by John Tunesi of Beacon Genealogical and Heraldic research confirming that the crest on these salts is that of Wallop, Earls of Portsmouth and discussing the various possibilities with regard to the earlier erased crest which, despite extensive research, remains a heraldic mystery.
Salts accompanied by copied extracts from Burke's Peerage (1926 edition) re. the Earls of Portsmouth. These salts are contemporary with John Wallop, 1st Earl of Portsmouth (1690-1762) and John Wallop, 2nd Earl of Portsmouth (1742-1797) who inherited the title following his grandfather's death in 1762.
A similar single chinoiserie salt with almost identical decoration, David Hennell, London, 1760, 4 troy ounces, was sold by Bonhams/Skinner in Boston 6th April 2002.That salt realised US$1,293, including fees (£1,000 approx).
David Hennell (1712-1785) was apprenticed to Edward Wood from 1728-1735, being granted his freedom in the latter year. Hennell recruited his son, Robert, in 1763, at which point the father and son registered a joint maker's mark.
