Essay

John Parker was apprenticed to the Royal Goldsmith George Wickes in 1753 becoming free in 1762. Edward Wakelin had already joined George Wickes in 1747 so there was already a connection between the two silversmiths before they eventually went into partnership in 1758. It is curious that the neoclassical period is dominated by a group of partnerships including most of the best silversmiths around at the time. These might include Boulton and Fothergill, Smith and Sharp, Courtauld and Cowles, Fogelberg and Gilbert, Butty and Dumee, Makepiece and Carter and others. The Parker and Wakelin partnership followed by that of Wakelin and Taylor produced some very good silver and this small vase is typical of the earlier pairing. The proportions and balance of plainness and ornament are typical and in all my five decades in the business I have not come across this form before. It is possible this was made as a condiment vase where a small spoon hung from one of the handles. This would explain the lack of any cut out opening in the top of the body or edge of the cover. A truly delightful piece of silver.