Penrose Antiques

Description

We have for sale a pair of heavy armorial silver George III silver game skewers c1799 with excellent provenance relating to the Hext and Staniforth, families of Cornwall and Sheffield respectively.

This pair of historically important 8-inch long skewers are of a lovely ring terminal tapered form and carry makers marks for the silversmith John Young and Sons of Union Street, Sheffield circa 1799. The skewers also carry an armorial crest for John Hext (1766-1838) of Trenarren House, St Austell Bay, Cornwall, consisting of a black tower with a golden demi lion rampant holding a battle axe. John Hext married Elizabeth Staniforth (1770-1851) in 1799. Elizabeth Staniforth was the granddaughter of Samuel Staniforth & Alethea Macro of Darnall Hall, Sheffield. It is probable that the skewers were given to John and Elizabeth as a wedding gift.

John Hext joined the army becoming a Captain in the 22nd foot. He sold his commission in 1826 and he an Elizabeth moved to Restormel House House in Lanivery near Lostwithiel, Cornwall, where he served as County Magistrate, Deputy Lieutenant for Cornwall and Colonel Commandant of the 2nd regiment, Royal Cornish Malitia. He died in 1838. After his death, Elizabeth continued to live at Restormel House until moving with her daughter Frances to North Street Lostwithiel. Elizabeth died in 1851. Both Elizabeth and her husband John Hext were interred in the family vault at Lostwithiel Church.

The skewers are 8.2 inches (20.5cm) long, weigh 49.9g and are in a very condition other than the knife cuts one would expect from late 18th century silver skewers and some rubbing to the mostly legible makers marks and hallmarks.