Hall marks on gold & silver plate

ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS. 51
at the <strong>Hall</strong> in December, 1708. In 1729 he removed to " Shandois
(Chandos) Street." In 1746, Samuel Courtauld was still at the
same house, removing to Cornhill in 175 1. Louisa Courtauld, his
widow, succeeded to the business in Cornhill, in partnership with
George Cowles, in 1773.
1 7 10. William Hand, a goldsmith, carried on his trade in
Russell Street, Covent Garden, in 17 10.
171 2. Richard Wright, goldsmith, probably earlier. In 1729
Anthony Wright was a goldsmith living in Great Russell Street,
Covent Garden; and in 1754, Anthony Wright was at the "Golden
"
Cup," Common (sic) Garden." Afterwards Wright & Co.,
bankers.
1 71 2. Paul de Lamerie dwelt at the "Golden Ball," in Windmill
Street, near the Haymarket. He first entered his name at Goldsmiths'
<strong>Hall</strong> on February 5, 17 12. In or about 1739 we find he had
removed to Gerard Street, Soho. After carrying on business for
forty years, he died at an advanced age in 175 1> leaving no one to
succeed him.
This celebrated silversmith, whose name is so well known to
collectors, and whose works are still so highly appreciated, was
greatly patronised by the nobility and gentry as the first silversmith
of his time; and there is no doubt he was an artist and designer as
well as a plate-worker.
It is not known when De Lamerie was appointed Royal Goldsmith,
but his mark has always borne a crown over his initials from
the date of his first entry at the <strong>Hall</strong> in 17 12. He was of foreign
extraction, and probably learned his art in France. It may be here
observed that he, and many others who acquired celebrity about
that time in England, had probably quitted Paris towards the end
of the reign of Louis XIV, when the trade had declined to such an
extent that they were compelled to find employment in other coun-
tries : the Grand Monarque, to pay the expense of his wars, having
sent his plate to the Mint, in 1688, to be melted; an example which
was followed by all his Court, but not before careful drawings had
been made by the goldsmith Delaunay and others.
Notwithstanding the alteration of the standard in 1720, De
Lamerie still continued making plate of the New or Britannia Standard
down to 1732, both qualities being allowed by the Act of Parliament.
All the principal silversmiths disapproved of the altera-
tion; and a remonstrance was submitted to the House of Commons,
entitled " The Case of the Working Goldsmiths against the New
Act." (Guildhall Library.)
They considered that the new standard was not only a better
colour and more brilliant, but that it would be impossible to produce
so high a finish and such elaborate chasing or curious work on the
old standard. It continues :
"
Foreign courts, where a coarser alloy
is used, give frequent commissions for their most valuable plate to
be made in London; but it would be impossible for the finest artist
to finish so complete a work in silver of the old standard as it is now
performed in the new standard; and that the former, of 11 oz.