measures 20cm (8in) in diameter, 13cm (5in) in height and 14cm (4 1/4in) across the base of the foot. The hallmarks are underneath the foot, STERLING and William Reynolds's first mark, the script WR with the right stem of the W also forming the stem of the R. It is the first of the two marks shown here http://www.925-1000.com/IrishProvincial_09.html . Also displayed underneath the foot is the scratch weight 19 = 17 (19oz 17dwt.). There is no crest, possibly removed some time in the past.
Similar shaped silver bowls to this by Caleb Rotheram (c. 1730), William Nicholson (c. 1750) and Stephen Walsh (c. 1760) are shown in the book Cork Silver and Gold. Rotheram and Walsh's bowls have everted rims as well while Nicholson's has a threaded rim and gilded inside. They are also considerably smaller and lighter, 14.6cm/10oz 2dwt, 14.7cm/8oz 00dwt and 14cm/10oz 17dwt respectively. Walsh's bowl is heavily decorated with rococo motifs, the others are plain silver as is mine.
William Reynolds was apprenticed to George Hodder from 1750 to 1758 before setting up his own business in 1758. He registered with the
Dublin Assay Office in 1784.
