Huguenot Silver 1685-1750
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Glasgow Museums has a small collection of English silver dating from 1685-1750 produced by Huguenot silversmiths. After the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 in France, French Protestant craftsmen – known as Huguenots - settled in London seeking religious freedom and security. Huguenot silversmiths brought with them new skills in the modelling, casting, and engraving of silver. By the early 1700s, high demand for this stylish French silverware allowed Huguenot silversmiths to gather commissions from wealthy English patrons, become ‘freemen’ of the Goldsmith Company, and establish workshops. The Huguenot silver in Glasgow Museums collections is stamped with hallmarks allowing the silver to be confidently identified to notable Huguenot silversmiths, including Paul de Lamerie, considered one of the greatest silversmiths during the eighteenth century. The Burrell Collection (part of Glasgow Museums) has four silver salts made by female silversmith, Anne Tanqueray (1691-1733), the eldest daughter of the Huguenot silversmith, David Willaume (1658-1741). The salts demonstrate cut-card work, a new type of decoration introduced by the Huguenot silversmiths. The Burrell also has a silver salver with the Exchequer Seal of William II and Mary with the arms of Charles Montagu, Earl of Halifax, designed and engraved by Huguenot engraver, Simon Gribelin.
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