A WHIMSICAL SILVER-MOUNTED ROOTWOOD EXTRAVAGANZA INCORPORATING TWO SEAL MATRICES

Seal Detail

AS FEATURED ON PAGE 156-7 IN OUR BOOK, "MATRIX"

A WHIMSICAL SILVER-MOUNTED ROOTWOOD EXTRAVAGANZA INCORPORATING TWO SEAL MATRICES

The plate inscribed: J. Robertson / Newcastle; early 19th century.

Each of the five branches or legs terminates in a reed-edged silver cap: one with chrysanthemum-lobed cover; two incorporating seal matrices: one oval, engraved with the initial R, with a line border; the other probably later, circular, and engraved with a monogram, AM, MM or WM, within a belt with a motto.

The later motto reads alta petit (‘Aim high’). The motto is that of Martin or Stott.

There were two silversmiths named John Robertson active in Newcastle. John Robertson I became master in 1778, going into partnership with John Langlands. On his death in 1801, his widow Ann took over the business. She retired in 1811 in favour of her husband’s nephew, son of Archibald Robertson, merchant of Peebles, and also called John. John Robertson II had been apprenticed to Thomas Watson in 1799 for a term of seven years, but redeemed himself in 1801 on becoming his uncle’s residuary legatee.

When he took over from Ann, he appears to have divided the business into two branches: he himself managing the jewellery and retail side at his uncle’s old premises at 21 Dean Street, but going into partnership with John Walton for the manufacturing side. By the end of 1820, he appears to have run both branches into the ground and was declared bankrupt.

According to Jane, daughter of the celebrated local engraver, Thomas Bewick, ‘Robertson’s nephew & heir – took my father in for £1000 – as bad a fellow as ever lived, & as plausible – a fiend in human guise’. Various sales of the premises and stock followed at ever-reduced prices, culminating on 19 January 1822 with ‘To be Sold at Auction, without Reserve ... the Remaining Part of the Stock of John Robertson, a Bankrupt’.

This unusual piece of Newcastle silver is unmarked. Given the nameplate and that one matrix is engraved with the letter R, it has been suggested that the reason the piece is not marked is that it was made for the silversmith’s own use and not for sale. 

Provenance:

Mid Sussex Auctions, 1 December 2006, lot 511.

Seal Specification

Height:  165mm

Diameter of matrix: 25mm x 17mm 

Weight:  59g