Silver lining to Sun King’s stormy reign

How Louis XIV’s rule forced an exodus of skilled Huguenot craftsmen... and sparked a massive leap forward in quality of British silversmithing only in museums.

De Lamerie’s father, also Paul, was himself a minor aristocrat who fled to the Netherlands where he became an army officer in the service of William of Orange. His son was probably born there, but in 1689 the family left for London and by 1691 were living in Soho, the district having been taken over by other Huguenot refugees.

Though he went on to greatness, very little is known about the young Paul’s progress through what was an essentially closed profession. However, records at the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London show an entry for August 6, 1703, in which he apprentices himself to a Peter Plattell (sic) “Citizen and Goldsmith of London, for the term of seven years from this day”.

Platel, himself a Huguenot from an aristocratic family in Lorraine, had probably also been apprenticed in London and registered his mark at Goldsmiths’ Hall in 1699.

A gifted individual, he made a silver service for the Prince of Wales, who became George II. De Lamerie probably lived with Platel and in addition to teaching the boy silversmithing skills, the master also gave him the hand of one of his daughters in marriage. The couple had two sons and four daughters.

Platel died in 1719, and de Lamerie no doubt took over his workshop and his clients. He became a Freeman in 1712 and registered his mark the same year. Less than four years later, the young man had established himself sufficiently to open a shop and workshop at the sign of the Golden Ball in Windmill Street.

In 1731, de Lamerie was honoured by being invited to join the governing body of the Goldsmiths’ Company, by which time he was enjoying huge success. Commissions came from all the wealthiest European families.

He died in 1751 without an heir to pass on his business, both his sons, Paul and Daniel, dying in infancy.

By way of illustrating the kind of money pieces by de Lamerie fetch today, a George II silver-gilt cream boat with London hallmarks for 1736 and weighing 230 grams, a smidgen over seven ounces, and measuring just 4½inches, sold at Sotheby’s in New York for $57,000, or £43,440 at today’s rates.

This is somewhat out of my reach. However, by chance, I found a pretty little George I silver sugar caster, which is illustrated here, hallmarked for London 1718, estimated at £700-900. It sold for £7,500. Why?

Because it was made by de Lamerie’s master, mentor and father-in-law, Pierre Platel.