Item 444

A copper charger by James Smithies of Wilmslow dating from around 1900.

A very well worked copper charger with foliate decoration to the centre and a more interlacing Celtic design to the outer rim. Although this piece is unmarked there are numerous examples of marked pieces which have come up for auction over the years:

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-1908692

https://www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk/departments/20th-century-design/pg261108/view-lot/382/

Smithies seems to have had an arrangement with Waring & Gillows to sell some of his metalwork in the late 1890s. I suspect that this piece would have been part of the range of his work sold through their store.

The piece is in great condition. There is a reasonable patina which has a couple of darker spots and some verdigris. It would polish up beautifully but I have left that decision to its ultimate owner.