Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a good quality George IV Sterling Silver Pap Boat. Pap boats were used to feed infants and the elderly and infirm with soft, semi-liquid food (pap) and were common in the Georgian era. Today they are often used as small sauce boats and also of interest to collectors. This one is in the classic shape with a long lip or spout, a thread decoration around the rim and a turned over heel. The initials EJ are elegantly engraved on the side of the boat.

The pap boat is made by silversmith Solomon Royes in London and dates to 1821. Solomon Royes and John East Dix became partners of renowned silversmith Solomon Hougham in 1817 at the end of Hougham's career. Royes and Dix remained in partnership during 1818 and 1819 before Royes set up on his own in 1820.

Condition is very good with no dings or dents and just the superficial surface wear that you would expect after 200 years of good service. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The pap boat measures 10.8cm / 4.2ins from lip to heel, 6.1cm / 2.4ins across the top rim and stands 3.8cm / 1.5ins high. It weighs in at a very respectable 56.8g / 2oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the heel of the boat, are quite rubbed but can still be deciphered. The clear ones are the London date letter f for 1821 and the S R makers' mark for Solomon Royes. In between these are the partially erased crowned leopard's head assay mark for London and the ghosts of the lion passant for Sterling Silver and the George III duty mark (it didn't change to George IV until later in the year).

Shipping in the UK is £10 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes cover for the value of the pap boat.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.