This silver creamer was crafted by the leading Georgian silversmith of his era, Paul de Lamerie. The classic form is given depth with finely engraved, cast and chased decoration in the style for which he is most accomplished, the lavish Rococo style. On each side, there is a draping of cast grapes and foliage beneath a naturalistic cow's head incorporated into the shaped rim. The creamer is also adorned with cast shells and a scrolling handle with a bird's head, all resting atop four diminutive "bun" feet emerging from fluid, rococo masks.
For well over 250 years, Paul de Lamerie has been universally considered not only one of the most important English goldsmiths, but among the most important English craftsmen of all time. His extraordinary works range from the elegant simplicity of the Queen Anne style to the elaborate Rococo, for which he is most remembered. It was de Lamerie who was one of the first to incorporate French Rococo designs into English silver, raising his art to a standard that had never before been seen, nor since duplicated.
Hallmarked London, 1742
4 1/2" wide x 2 5/8" deep x 3 1/2" high
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