The sale at Charterhouse in Sherborne on August 15-16 includes a pair of early George II cast silver candlesticks with London marks for Ann Craig and John Neville.
Craig is one of a handful of women who owned silversmithing workshops in the 18th century. The widow of John Craig, a partner of George Wickes who died in 1736, she operated on her own until 1740 when she entered into a partnership with John Neville. Her business was located at the corner of Norris Street, Haymarket, London.
Women were often active in Georgian silversmithing shops until marriage but it was typically only on the death of a husband that they would they be given the opportunity to enter a mark with the Goldsmiths company. Estimate £1000-1500.
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