Paul de Lamerie Silver – Fabulous, Ornate, and Highly Collectable Silverware by a True Master Craftsman

The Victoria and Albert Museum have described Paul de Lamerie as “The greatest silversmith working in England in the 18th century”

Antique Silver Gilt Chalice Cup by Paul de Lamerie 1745

Paul de Lamerie was born in 1688 the son of a French nobleman, a Huguenot who left France to settle in what is now the Netherlands. His father was an officer in the army of William of Orange moving to London with his baby son in 1689 where he later died a pauper.

From Riches to Rags and Riches again

Paul de Lamerie’s illustrious career as the leading silversmith of the time brought him great wealth; he commissioned pieces for royalty and aristocracy across Europe and he eventually owned nearly 50 properties in Soho where he lived and worked.

Paul de Lamerie silver kettle 1736-8

As well as being a superb craftsman and silversmith with a unique gift of creativity and design he was also a very astute, ambitious and successful businessman working at the highest level and utilising only the very best quality suppliers and sub-contractors to establish and protect his mark and status. In 1722 London society was entertained by a famous court case when a chimney sweep’s boy sued Paul de Lamerie after taking a jewel he found to the silversmith’s shop for valuation.

De Lamerie was alleged to have kept the jewel and The King’s Bench ordered him to return it to the fortunate boy or pay him its full value. Paul de Lamerie died in 1751, aged 64 and is buried in St Anne’s Church, Soho. A blue memorial plaque was unveiled in 1992 at the site of his Gerrard Street workshop and his reputation lives on more than 250 years after his death because of his legacy of exquisite silverware.

Silver Cup and Cover by Paul de Lamerie 1736-7

In 1703 at the age of 16 Paul de Lamerie was apprenticed to another London craftsman of Huguenot origin the goldsmith Pierre Platel. After 10 years learning his trade de Lamerie opened his own workshop in 1713 in Great Windmill Street and 3 years later was appointed goldsmith to George I.

Career and Commissions

Early in his career he often worked in partnership with Ellis Gamble (who had been apprenticed to William Hogarth) and his early work was in the simple, Queen Anne style producing unornamented tankards and teapots. However by the 1730s more elaborate Rococo designs were all the rage and Paul de Lamerie’s pieces became increasingly ornate and highly decorated.

This fabulous, spectacular and highly sought after silverware is the basis for his lasting reputation and the prime place he holds in the history of English antique silver.

De Lamerie employed a great many craftsmen and took on a large number of apprentices and, as was common practice with gold and silversmiths at the time, his stamp on a piece does not mean that he necessarily crafted it himself but signifies that it was made in his workshop or sold by his firm.

His many customers from amongst the European rich and famous included the Tsarinas Anna and Catherine, Sir Robert Walpole, The Earls of Thanet and Ilchester, The Duke of Bedford, King George I and King John V of Portugal. Paul de Lamerie produced a number of very decorative two handled silver cup and covers one of which (from 1720) was among the gifts at the wedding of Elizabeth II in 1947 and today a company with the De Lamerie name continues to manufacture fine silverware in Stoke on Trent for the 21st century.

The Victoria and Albert Museum has an extensive collection of Paul de Lamerie silverware, examples include:

The Newdigate Centrepiece

Paul de Lamerie – The Newdicate Centrepiece

A fabulously ornate wedding present from 1743-4 with Rococo scrolls, flowers and shells this would have been a centrepiece for a formal meal and used for fruits and sweetmeats.

Chesterfield Wine Cooler 1727-8

Paul de Lamerie Chesterfield Wine Cooler

With dolphin handles and panels depicting Fire, Air, Earth and Water. This piece has the marks of both Paul Crespin and Paul de Lamerie and is a striking example of silverware where de Lamerie worked with a sub-contractor to produce stunning and substantial work.

Silver Salver 1739 – 40

Paul de Lamerie Silver Salver 1739 – 40

A highly intricate engraved silver Paul de Lamerie plate displaying characteristic superbly detailed craftsmanship

Paul de Lamerie at Regent Antiques

At Regent Antiques we source and stock fine examples of these valuable and highly sought after pieces such as this 1745 silver gilt chalice cup which is offered for sale @ £8250. Please check our website or call or email us for details of current stock and for further information on wonderful Paul de Lamerie silverware.