Huguenot George II Sterling SIlver Sauce Boat London 1743

Description

Heading : George II sterling silver sauce boat
Date : Hallmarked in London in 1743 for Louis Laroche
Period : George II
Origin : London. England
Decoration : Scalloped rim. acanthus leaf decoration scroll handle. three applied terraced feet.
Size :  Height 7.9cm. lenght 12.6cm
Condition : Good. one 5mm compression to the flank
Restoration : None
Weight : 106 grams

Louis Laroche was of Huguenot origin and his marks are rarely encountered. He was tried and convicted of counterfeiting duty marks and thus failing to pay duty in 1742. He did this by adding his own makers marks four times and that of others. Applying a makers mark several times was commonplace with Scottish provincial silversmiths who had no intention of paying duty and it was simply impractical to send pieces to Glasgow or Edinburgh to have duty marks applied. This was not deemed to be a criminal act in Scotland. it was just common practice.