Fine Silver Sugar Caster, London, 1936-7, The Artificers’ Guild Ltd

Description

A fine sterling silver sugar caster of baluster shape on a splayed, 10-sided, fluted collet foot and with a removable, pierced, domed dispenser cap. The caster is decorated around the neck with a double band of waves and small circles and around the top of the neck, the base of the dispenser cap and the rim of the foot with ropework. The piercing of the cap takes the form of teardrop and heart shapes.

Hallmarks

Underside of body: Lion Passant (Sterling); upper case ‘A’ (1936-7); Leopard’s Head (London). The maker’s mark of plain capitals ‘A^S G^D’ over ‘L^D’ in a shield-shaped punch is consistent with The Artificers’ Guild Ltd. (left image)

Dispenser cap rim: Artificers’ Guild mark; Lion Passant; upper case ‘A’. (right image)

History

The Artificers’ Guild Ltd was founded in 1901 by the metal-smith and enameller Nelson Dawson (1859-1942). It was one of the few guilds inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement to enjoy real commercial success, and remained in operation until 1938.

During its existence, the Guild operated as a substantial business, employing over 40 staff at its peak, including a large number of skilled craftsmen, many of whom would have been trained in the Guild’s workshop. Although unacknowledged for much of the 20th century, the Guild is now recognised as an important producer of high quality metalwork and jewellery during this period.

The Artificers’ Guild’s principal designer was Edward Spencer and his designs demonstrate not only his excellent draughtsmanship, but also the Guild’s ability to respond to changes in fashionable taste. They range from finely rendered presentation pieces for clients to full-scale wash studies for stock pieces and working drawings with annotations giving indications of price and alterations. Although most of their work is his, the Guild did employ designers other than Spencer, and a significant number of designs were contributed by the architect and designer John Houghton Maurice Bonnor (1875-1917).

Dimensions & Weights

Diameter at waist: 5.5 cm / 2 ⅛ in.

Diameter of base: 4.5 cm / 1 ¾ in.

Height: 11 cm / 4 ³/₈ in.

Weight: 92 gm / 3.0 ozT