Objektnummer: #366
London, 1733
Maker: Thomas Farren
Hallmark: Leopard’s head crowned for London
Maker’s mark: Monogram “TF” and above it a flower in a threefold shieldfor Thomas Farren
Date letter: “S”for 1733 (Jackson: p. 8)
Engraving: contemporary armorial
Height: 18 cm (7,1 in.); weight: ca. 264 gr. (9.3 oz.)
The present caster is a very fine preserved silver object, typical for the first half of the eighteenth century. The caster has a round pear-shape and is raised on a profiled foot. The engraved armorial –probably belonging to the ordering customer – adorns the one side of the wall. The pull-off cover is pierced, presenting a rich foliations décor, stylised crosses and has a cast knop finial. The object is marked on the foot (bottom) and the cover.
Maker
Thomas Farren was active between 1707 and 1742 and subordinate goldsmith to the King during 1723-1742. Son of John Farren of Tewkesbury (Gloucester), he apprenticed to John Denny from 1695 until 1707. There are three registered marks for him. He was presumably dead by 19 October 1743, the date of the entry of his widow’s mark, Ann Farren.
Gruber, Al., 1982, Gebrauchssilber des 16. bis 19. Jahrhunderts, Würzburg: Edition Popp.
Jackson, Ch., J., 1921, English Goldsmiths and their marks, London: MacMillan and Co. Limited.
Grimwade Ar., London Goldsmiths 1697-1837. Their marks and lives from the original registers at Goldsmiths’Halland other sources, GB: Faber and Faber, 1990.