An important set of early Queen Anne Britannia Standard Lighthouse Casters made in London in 1703 by Andrew Raven.
An important set of early Queen Anne Britannia Standard Lighthouse Casters made in London in 1703 by Andrew Raven.
375497
The three casters are modelled in sizes and are cylindrical in form with applied horizontal girdles around the main body. The flared foot is decorated with bold lobing and each piece is engraved with a contemporary Crest. The high domed covers are pieced with pretty geometric patterns and terminate in a cast baluster finial below a raying fluted platform, simulating a flower head. The base of the cover is decorated with the same lobing as seen on the foot and displays a bayonet locking fitting. The Casters are in quite excellent condition and are fully marked on the side of the main body and with part of the marker’s mark and leopard’s head on each cover. They all have a very fine colour and patina and are of an excellent gauge. The name “Lighthouse” Caster is obviously derived from their form and to find a complete set from this early date is unusual, as many get split over the years and a great number were not produced in the first place.
Andrew Raven was a very fine silversmith making quality pieces from the entry of his first mark in April 1697. He had workshops in Round Court, St. Martin’s Le Grand in 1697 and is recorded as working until 1728. He had an interesting maker’s mark of Ra, the first two letters of his surname, with a bird below, most probably a raven.
Large Caster:
Height: 7.2 inches.
Base Diameter: 3.25 inches.
Smaller Casters:
Height: 5.8 inches.
Base Diameter: 2.5 inches.
Total Weight: 24 oz.
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