Platter belonging to J.P. Fawkner, presented 1845 / made by Edward, Edward Junior, John & William Barnard, London in 1838 ; jewellers Cohen & Son, silversmiths, Sydney

DR 28
Status: On display. Objects Gallery. Case 1, Shelf 17

fonds

made 1838 presented 1845

891588

1 platter - 24.5 cm diameter - silver

The platter is heavily embossed and supported on four shortlegs. Inscription reads: 'Presented to J.P. Fawkner. Esqre by 'The Officers of the Corporation of Melbourne, as a token of their regard, on the occasion of his retirement from the Town Council. March 19th 1845'

Information transferred from pictures card catalogue as part of the eRecords Project, 2009-2010

From notes of A.H. Spencer. 3.9.1936:
'-Sterling Silver Muffineer. Period George II - 1759-60. Height 5 ½ ins. Formerly belonged to John Fawkner Senior and of more than unique interest as it is probably the only existing personal relic that belonged to John Pascoe Fawkner's father. John Pascoe Senior was convicted for purchasing jewelery in suspicious circumstances. He was sentenced to 14 years penal servitude and as a convict came out with Collin's expedition to Port Phillip in 1803, subsequently to Hobart Town in 1804. Died 1848. By trade he was a silversmith. It is more than probable that this silver muffineer was part of the stolen goods Fawkner Senior was convicted for, as it never left his son's family connections until purchased along with John Pascoe's personal relics recently, now included in these lists. A similar muffineer is catalogued at London today, as a silver antique, at £24/-/-'

[See Attributions and Conjectures for more recent research]

The Australian dealer's inscription on the back reads: 'Cohen & Son. Silversmiths. Watch Makers and Jewellers, Sydney, N.S.W.'

Hallmarks:

London date letter [capital Gothic "C"] = 1838

London makers "E E" & "J W", separated by a "B" in a quatrefoil : Edward, Edward Junior, John and William Barnard

Reference:
Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Maker's Marks. http://www.925-1000.com/index.html (accessed June 22, 2012)

The Lion is the silver standard equal to 0.925 Sterling ; the Leopard’s head is the city mark of London for 1822 to the present; the C is the date letter of 1838 (ie when the plate was assayed); and the duty mark is Queen Victoria 1838-1890

Reference:
Information supplied by Ray Macpherson, October 2012