Hall marks on gold & silver plate

20 HALL MARKS ON PLATE.
1509. Pielro Torrigiano. In the centre of the apsis or east end
of Henry VH's chapel, Westminster Abbey, is the tomb of the royal
founder and his queen, Elizabeth of York. The effigies, which are
undoubtedly likenesses, were originally crowned, they are recumbent
on a pedestal adorned with pilasters, relievos of rose branches and
images in copper gilt of the King's patron saints and preceding
sovereigns ; at the angles were seated angels. It is enclosed by rich
and massive gates of brass. This costly tomb was made by Torrigiano,
a Florentine artist, and occupied his time for six years, for
which he received the comparatively large sumi of i^ 1,500. Tor-
rigiano, it will be remembered, was the fellow-student of Michael
Angelo, who, in a quarrel, broke the nose of his great rival. He
came to England purposely to erect this tomb, which Bacon calls
"
the stateliest and daintiest in Europe." The brass screen, originally
adorned with no less than thirty-six statues (now reduced to
six), is of brass, resembling a Gothic palace, was designed and made
by an English artist (date 15 12). Torrigiano also executed the
beautiful effigy of Margaret, Countess of Richmond, mother of
Henry VII, in Westminster Abbey (date about 1509).
151 1. John Barrett, goldsmith, bequeathed about '^ 5s. per
annum, former value, to supply coals to the poor of the Goldsmiths'
Company.
1 5 12. Robert Fenrhuther, or Fenr other. Alderman, Master of
the Mint with Bartholomew Reade in 1493, goldsmith, Sheriff in
1 5 12, was buried in the church of St. John Zachary. He was Prime
Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company in 15 16 and 15 17. He was
Master of the Mint, ninth Henry VIII.
1 5 16. The four Wardens of the Company in this year were:
Alderman Fenrother, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Wattell and Mr. Reed.
1517- -The four Wardens in this year were: Alderman Fenrot
her, Mr. Lowth, Mr. Udall and Mr. Twyssilton.
John Twistleton, goldsmith and Alderman, was buried in St.
Matthew's Church, Friday Street, 152c;.
1 5 17-8. Sir Thomas Exmewe, Knight, goldsmith, Mayor in
this year, Sheriff, 1508. He made the water conduit in London Wall,
by Moor Gate. He was buried in the church of St. Mary Magdalen,
Milk Street, in 1528.
1 5 18. Robert Amades, goldsmith to Cardinal Wolsey, Keeper
of the Jewels to King Henry VIII, gives an account of his treasures
with the weight and cost annexed, such as :
" An image of our lady,
300 ounces of sterling silver; six great candlesticks made at Bruges,
with leopards' heads and cardinals' hats, chased and gilt, weighing
298 ounces; three '
chargeours,' 197 ounces; twenty-five plates, 96S
ounces; twenty-two dishes, 451 ounces; a cup of 'corone' gold, 64
ounces." According to Cavendish, the Cardinal's biographer:
"There was at great banquets a cupboard as long as the chamber
was in breadth, with six deskes in height, garnyshed with guilt
plate, and the nethermost deske was garnyshed all with gold plate,
haying with lights one paire of candlesticks of silver and guilt,
being curiously wrought, which cost 300 <strong>marks</strong>. This cupboard was