John Sandon
Consultant
Lot 78
A fine and large Commonwealth leaded bronze mortar, dated 1655, attributed to Anthony Bartlet of Whitechapel, London (fl. 1640-1675) or possibly John Clifton (fl. 1632-1640) of the same foundry
31 January 2019, 11:00 GMT
London, New Bond StreetSold for £5,625 inc. premium
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A fine and large Commonwealth leaded bronze mortar, dated 1655, attributed to Anthony Bartlet of Whitechapel, London (fl. 1640-1675) or possibly John Clifton (fl. 1632-1640) of the same foundry
Cast with a band of alternating crosses formy and fleurs-de-lis beneath the rim, the waist cast with the date '1665' and the initials 'IC' between a band of delicate foliage topped by alternating trefoils and heptafoils, 31.5cm diameter x 26.5cm high
Footnotes
Provenance:
Robert Spalding collection
Sold Christie's, 12 November 2003, Lot 478
Literature:
Illustrated M. Finlay, English Decorated Bronze Mortars & their Makers (2010), p. 67, Figure 89, where it is noted that the initials 'IC' to this mortar probably stand for John Clifton, foreman of Anthony Bartlet's foundry. A mortar with characteristic Whitechapel decoration is cast 'I C MADE ME FOR ALLEN TALBOTT 1632', so it is clear that Clifton occasionally cast his own mortars. See also ibid., p. 180
Exhibited:
The Merchant's House, Marlborough, Wiltshire, 2006-2018