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Sauceboat and Stand
Marked by: Nicholas Sprimont (born in Liege, France, active in London) (1716–1771)
English (London)
1746–47
Medium/Technique
Silver (sterling standard)
Dimensions
Overall (sauceboat): 15.9 x 20.3 x 10.2 cm (6 1/4 x 8 x 4 in.)
Other (stand): 29.8 cm (11 3/4 in.)
Other (stand): 29.8 cm (11 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Alan and Simone Hartman and Harriet J. Bradbury Fund
Accession Number2001.68.1a-b
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionOne of a pair (with 2001.68.2a-b). Body in the form of a shell, with alternating polished flutes and others ornamented with cast shells and seaweed. Scroll handle in the form of double entrwined serpents. Stands on a shaped oval base cast and chased with similar flutes and shellwork. Engraved under the lip with an earl's armorials. Shaped oval stand with border of alternating flutes and rococo ornament at each end. Plain center engraved with a crest under a marquess's coronet.
Marks
The sauce boat and ladle unmarked; the stand struck underneath with hallmarks (leopard's head, lion passant, date letter) and with maker's mark; the stand also numbered 2 and 3
InscriptionsThe arms are those of Watson quartering Wentworth and impaling Finch, as borne by Thomas Watson (1693-1750), as Marquess of Rockingham.. On stand, the crest and coronet are those borne by Thomas Watson
ProvenanceAbout 1745-1747, Thomas Watson-Wentworth (b. 1693 - d. 1750), Earl of Malton and 1st Marquess of Rockingham (original commission) [see note 1]; until 1948, by descent within the family, to William Henry Lawrence Peter Wentworth-FitzWilliam (b. 1910 - d. 1948), 8th Earl FitzWilliam; June 9, 1948, FitzWilliam sale, Christie's, London, part of lot 81 or 82. By 1958, Sigmund J. Katz (b. 1897 - d. 1958), New Orleans; 1958, by inheritance to Jessie W. (Mrs. Sigmund J.) Katz (b. 1901 - d. 1988), New Orleans; 1969 and 1970, gift of Mrs. Katz to the MFA [see note 2]; December 20, 1989, deaccessioned by the MFA; April 27, 1990, MFA and others sale, Sotheby's, New York, lot 405, probably to Alan and Simone Hartman, New York; 2001, gift of Alan and Simone Hartman to the MFA. (Accession Date: February 21, 2001)
NOTES:
[1] Engraved with his arms and an Earl's coronet, the sauceboats and ladles were probably supplied to Thomas Watson-Wentworth before he was created Marquess of Rockingham on April 19, 1746. The stands, which bear his full armorials, were evidently supplied after this date.
[2] The sauceboat was accessioned on December 30, 1969 (former MFA accession no. 69.1357) and the stand on December 30, 1970 (1970.640).
NOTES:
[1] Engraved with his arms and an Earl's coronet, the sauceboats and ladles were probably supplied to Thomas Watson-Wentworth before he was created Marquess of Rockingham on April 19, 1746. The stands, which bear his full armorials, were evidently supplied after this date.
[2] The sauceboat was accessioned on December 30, 1969 (former MFA accession no. 69.1357) and the stand on December 30, 1970 (1970.640).