Hall marks on gold & silver plate

INTRODUCTION. xxix
Again, at the Court of Assistants of the Goldsmiths' Company
held on June 20, 1639, it is noted that :
"
Vaughan, the graver of Kerry Lane, is found to have pewter
made in silver fashion with 4 <strong>marks</strong> resembling the silver touch,
on which the owner had bidden him to engrave his Arms. The
maker's mark is so defaced with the hammer, that it is scarcely discernible.
The pewter was made by Peter Brockelsby, from whom
the Master and Wardens of the Pewterers' Company had taken similar
stamps. The Wardens take the pewter and the graver to the
Wardens of the Pewterers' Company, by whom the former order of
the Lord Mayor, and the letter from the Lords of the Council, are
read to the graver. It is stated that the said order has been read
at a general meeting of the Pewterers' Company, and that Brockelsby
had notice thereof but the Wardens of the Pewterers' Com-
;
pany promise to acquaint him therewith once more, and to help this
Company in complaining to the Court of Aldermen if necessary."*"
Once more at the Court of the Goldsmiths' Company, held on
August 31, 1643, it is stated that:
"Jackson, the Assayer, produces a pewter pot, made silver
fashion, marked with 4 stamps like the <strong>Hall</strong> Touch. It appears to
have been made by Butcher, the pewterer, in St. Ann's Lane. Jackson
is ordered to buy another pewter pot and proceed against the
offender."!
In 1634-6 the third <strong>Hall</strong> of the Goldsmiths' Company was
erected, and Inigo Jones, the King's architect, acted as consulting
architect, for which service the Company gave him a gratuity.
The last Charter granted to the Goldsmiths' Company was the
Inspeximus Charter of the second James I, dated March 13. This
recites and confirms all the previous charters and letters patent
granted to the Company, and it is printed in the Memorial of the
Goldsmiths' Company by Sir Walter S. Prideaux.
In the Great Fire in 1666, the <strong>Hall</strong> of the Goldsmiths' Company
received much damage, and it was afterwards in great part rebuilt.
In 1697 the standard for worked silver was raised above that of
the coinage, which was sterling, in order to prevent the custom of
melting silver coins. The hall <strong>marks</strong> were therefore changed to
the lion's head erased, the figure of Britannia, the date letter, and
the maker's mark.J
The higher standard introduced in 1697 did not last long, for
in 1 7 19 the old standard was again made lawful and the old hall
<strong>marks</strong> were revived, although the higher standard was and is still
legal.ll
In 1739 the maker's mark was altered from the first two letters
of his surname, to the first letters of his Christian and surname. AH
gold and silver smiths, therefore, destroyed their punches and procured
new ones.
* " Memorials of the Goldsiniths' Company," Vol. I, p. 189.
t Ibid., Vol. I, p. 214."
I 8th and 9th William III, cap. 8.
II 6th George I, cap. 2.
id