MARK OF GOLDSMITHS AND SILVERSMITHS COMPANY LTD., LONDON, 1927

This cistern is based on a Charles II original of 1682 by Robert Smythier, which was exhibited in London, 25 Park Lane W.1., Loan Exhibition of Old English Plate, 1929, no. 154. The band of scrolling decoration beneath the rim, which is absent on the 1682 example, is probably derived from a similar cistern by George Garthorne, 1694, in the collection of the Bank of England, illustrated in C. Hernmarck, The Art of the European Silversmith 1430-1830, London, 1977, p. 103. A similar silver-gilt example, also by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company was sold Christie's, London, 5 March 1997, lot 71.