Four 17th/18th century leaded bronze skillets, English


The first late 17th century, probably by the Fathers Foundry, of Montacute, Somerset, the handle with faint inscription beginning 'PRAIES' before becoming indistinct, with small solid wedge beneath the handle, and plain 'D'-shaped legs, 17cm bowl diameter x 14cm bowl height, the second a four pint skillet, late 18th century, possibly by the Warner Foundry of London, the handle cast '4P' and moulded for the rest of its length, a wedge beneath the handle, the legs of 'D'-section, with a flat outer face and a rounded inner face, 22.5cm bowl diameter x 17cm bowl height, the third a small skillet, early 17th century, of West Country type, with wiped finish and no apparent scratch-mark, with open handle brace and ribbed legs, 13cm bowl diameter x 14cm bowl height, the fourth mid-17th century and possibly by John Palmar of Canterbury (fl. 1621-56), of brassy metal, an open brace beneath the handle which has been cast from an incomplete handle pattern, and ribbed legs with diagonal hatching, 20cm bowl diameter x 14cm bowl height, (4)
|See R. Butler & C. Green, English Bronze Cooking Vessels & their Founders 1350-1830, Exhibition Catalogue (2003), pp. 49-64 for skillets from the Fathers Foundry and a skillet with the full inscription 'PRAIES GOD FOR ALL'; pp. 127-8 for other skillets from the Warner Foundry of London, marked with their capacity and p. 157, for a skillet like the third example in this lot, of West Country type.