About this lot

Description

by John Walton, 1858, 'Fiddle' pattern, 9.5ozt gross (4)

Footnote: John Walton, having completed a nine year apprenticeship, entered into partnership with silversmith, John Robertson II, in 1811. The partnership continued until 1821 when Walton withdrew from the partnership and founded his own workshop, applying to the Assay Office in Newcastle for his own maker’s mark and leaving Robertson to fall into bankruptcy. Walton went on to become one of the largest and most highly regarded manufacturers of silver flatware and plate in the North of England. After fifty five years of running his own businesses he retired in 1866. This was a severe blow to the Newcastle Assay Office, as Walton, by then, was their principal client. In 1866 the quantity of silver assayed at Newcastle was over 4,000ozt. By 1883 this had dropped to under 300ozt and the lack of new business forced the Assay Office to close in May the following year.

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