Important Silversmiths – Benjamin Smith
19th Century pair George IV silver wine coolers and liners, each exceptionally heavy and crisp, decorative and ornamental, tapering lobed body chased with shaped circular border and foot with spume rims, applied with cast flowers and leaves, cast foliage handles with flowers. Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 1825 (k), Maker's mark BS for Benjamin Smith III.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A3171
Benjamin Smith started his career working for Matthew Boulton, whose company produced plate, buckles and buttons. Described as button maker in 1794, he moved to London a few years later, in 1802, joining a partnership with his friend and silversmith Digby Scott. At that time he was already manufacturing for Rundell & Bridge, the most well-know luxury retailer of the first half of 19th Century. From 1807, Smith worked alongside Paul Storr and their designs, after the antique and in the neoclassical style, were often very closely related and difficult to distinguish.
19th Century Georgian silver centerpiece, raised on three cast scroll and shell feet, the base is applied with a very crisp scrolling foliate decoration in relief, supporting three large and finely modelled classical female figures (the three graces), holding cast floral garlands, top basket fitted with a cut glass tazza bowl. Hallmarked English silver (925 standard), London, year 1822 (g), Maker's mark BS for Benjamin Smith III, retailed by Green, Ward & Company London, Fecerunt.
Reference Number: A5219
19th Century Georgian Silver cup and cover, richly gilt, campana-form, the tapering body is applied with two cast handles modelled like twirling snakes and with a band of scrolling foliage, the matching cover is applied with a band of acorn leaves and surmounted by a cast finial modelled like a horse, particularly large and detailed. Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 1809 (O), Maker's mark BSIS for Benjamin Smith II & James Smith III.
Reference Number: A2554
Probably due to his tempered nature, Smith changed partnerships and hallmarks several times, without being able to establish his own independent workshop. In 1807 he parted from Digby Scott and two years later joined a partnership with his brother James Smith. Nevertheless, even this partnership was dissolved by 1812 and in 1814 he parted from Rundell. Soon after he was in partnership for a short period with his son Benjamin Jr. but he was already independent in 1818.
Benjamin received a number of major commissions and excelled in the production of silver tea sets, sugar bowls, trays and salvers, as demonstrated by one of his most important achievements: the Jamaica Service of 1803, still part of the Royal Collection.