334. Antique Pair Irish Dublin Sterling Silver Serving Gravy Spoons John Pittar 1780

An exceptionally fine Pair George III Irish sterling silver plain form Gravy Serving Spoons.

Mark of J P for John Pittar 21 Ross Lane, Bride Street Dublin Ireland.

Assayed in Dublin date for 1780.

Length: 9.75” (24.5cm). Width: 2” (5cm).

Weight: (an impressive) 5.4ozs. (152 grams).

Pair Eur.675.00.

Location: Dublin City, Ireland.

Affordable fixed price no hassle Worldwide Store to door shipping offered by Seller using UPS Shipping. .

Provenance: Sourced from renowned Silver Dealer William Walter.

A similar spoon can be viewed at the Met Museum NYC

John Pittar

The Pittar family was of French Huguenot origin, and established themselves in Dublin as goldsmiths on arrival in Ireland during a period of religious persecution of protestants in France.
In 1757 goldsmith John Pittar I, was admitted by service as a Freemen of the city of Dublin, having completed an apprenticeship. In 1780 his son John Pittar II, goldsmith and flatware specialist, was admitted as a freeman by birth. His mark was entered in Dublin 1784. Address 21, Ross Lne, Bride St (1784-1803), 10 Stephens Green (1804-1814), Windy Harbour (1815-1825). John junior’s son Parke Pittar, goldsmith, was admitted Freeman of the City by birth in 1807.
Due to severe economic problems in Ireland during the 19th century there was a severe decline in the market for fine silver items and many tradesmen emigrated, including Parke Pittar and possibly his father. Pittar settled in Calcutta, India, where a branch of the family traded as silversmiths (c. 1831-1848), and tried to rebuild their lives.