A Significant Charles II Porringer on Stand, formerly a gift from Albert Edward, Prince of Wales

John Duck (1653 - 1745), from 1677 Master in London, Foster Lane

London. 1683/84. Sterling silver, partly gilt, Marks: Master's Mark: Goose in a dotted circle (= John Duck), Assay mark: London (Leopard's head crowned), Lion passant, date letter f (= 1683/84). Porringer: H. 18 cm, stand: Diam. 33,5 cm, overall weight ca. 1350 g. Used vessel with all-round embossed, finely chased and punched decoration featuring a dog and horse among lush flowering shrubs, with matching volute handles adorned with female herms. The domed lid and the presenteur feature identical decoration. According to the inscription on the porringer, it was a gift from Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, to his nephew and godson Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, on 4 December 1884: 'To Leopold Charles Edward Albert Duke of Albany From his affectionate Uncle and Godfather Albert Edward Prince of Wales Dec.r 4th 1884' - English goldsmith, apprenticed to goldsmith Roger Stevens in Foster Lane, London, in 1669. After Stevens' sudden death in 1673, his wife Katherine took over the business. Duck was released from his apprenticeship in 1677 and married Hannah Stevens, his former master's daughter, in 1678. His hallmark is a goose in a dotted circle and was used between 1678 and 1694/4 Mus.: London, British Museum Lit.: John Culme 'The "Goose in a dotted circle"; a mystery of the seventeenth century investigated', in 'The Jaime Ortiz-Patino Collection English 17th Century Chinoiserie Silver', Sotheby's sale catalogue, New York, 21 May 1992