Dish

Plate (now damaged) with an ownership triad of ‘M’ over ‘V’ and ‘A’ on the back, partially obscured by the later inscription ‘Vincent Mathews’’ (one of a pair, see catalogue number 8173). The touch on the back depicts a hand-held armillary sphere with a star behind and labels in cartouches above and below inscribed: ‘THOMAS’ and ‘STEVENS’ by Thomas Stevens, London, OP4513, LTP757, struck in 1720. Stevens was given his freedom by his brother William on 21 June, 1716 and opened shop in Leather Lane, four years later on 23 March, 1720 when he struck this touch on the London Touch Plate LTPIII. Another brother, Philip, was also a pewterer. The plate is also marked on the back with a ‘SUPERFINE HARD METAL’ label and hallmarks with the unidentified initials ‘EM’ (perhaps those of an unrecorded apprentice or a journeyman). Two of Steven’s apprentices are listed in Cotterell OP5771. Date: 1716-c.1760.