BUTTY, Francis (Grimwade p.456)

[silverly]

7 October 1768 Francis Butty Saint James Clerkenwell Goldsmith paid apprentice indenture duty for Andrew Jones.

[dognose]

Jahrbuch der Königlich Preussischen Kunstsammlungen, 1893. (Berlin, Grote.)
THE Year-Book of the Prussian Royal Art Collections for 1893

...........Among the so-called English exhibits, two of the most beautiful objects shown at Berlin—two tea-caddies belonging to Count G. v. Seckendorf–bore the name of Pierre Gillois and the date London, 1776; and a fine vegetable dish lent by the Empress Frederick was stamped by the firm of Francis Butty & Nicholas Dumée, a significant fact which reminds us how many skilled French craftsmen were forced to seek a refuge with foreigners from the financial distress which marked the close of the brilliant reign of Louis XIV.

Source: The Athenaeum - 6th October 1894

[dognose]

Reading

The mace, which is of the usual form with open arched crown, is of silver-gilt, and is 4 feet 1¾ inch in extreme length. On the flat plate at the top, under the open arches of the crown, are the royal arms of George III. in high relief. The circlet is composed of four highly ornate crosses-pattées, from which spring the arches of the crown, and four fleurs~de-lis. Around the head, which is divided into four oval compartments by simple scroll work, are, respectively, the rose, the thistle, the harp, and the fleur-de-lis, each crowned, and between the royal initials G III R. The four open work brackets supporting the head are decorated with helmeted heads. The staff is plain, but the knops and intermediate bands are richly decorated. Round the foot are the words “ Corporation of Reading, 1770," and below are the Reading arms.

[Hall marks: London, 1769-70; makers’, FB - ND in a square, for Francis Butty and Nicholas Dumee.]" ‘

With respect to the present mace the following entries occur in the corporation diaries:

10 November 1769 (John Dredge, Mayor) “The old mace being much decayed and broken through length of time it is ordered that the same be disposed of and a new one provided in its stead of about the weight of 160 oz: under the inspection of Mr. Mayor.” -

7/11 February 1770 (John Dredge, Mayor) “At this Meeting Mr. Mayor produced the new Mace which was generally approved off and its agreed and ordered that the old mace be disposed of" under the Inspection of Mr. Mayor and that he do pay for the new one and bring it into his Account as Chamberlain."

In the account of “Disbursements by Will Blandy,” Chamberlain of the hall revenues from Michaelmas 1769 to Michaelmas 1770, the following occurs :—
“To Will Pickett*, ye Balance on the new Mace, £57-6-8."

Source: The Corporation Plate and Insignia of Office of the Cities and Towns of England and Wales - Llewellynn Frederick William Jewitt - 1895

* William Pickett (Grimwade p.623)