Although Jamaican silver is some of the rarest colonial metalwork, it has been estimated that as many as 150 smiths were working there during the island’s height of trade with Europe and America.
A description of life in Port Royal at the end of the 17th century includes the line: “… Almost every house hath a rich Cupboard of Plate which they carelessly expose, scarce shutting their doors in the night, being no apprehension of thieves for want of receivers.”
For a short period of time between 1747 and c.1765 Jamaica had an assay master, the best-known being Anthony Danvers who took up the post in 1749. Most surviving Jamaican silver from this period carries the alligator’s head mark and his initials – including this cream jug c.1760 which is expected to bring £2000-2500 at the Fine Interiors sale held by The Pedestal at the Moor Park Mansion, Rickmansworth, on November 19.