Charles II Silver Porringer, 1673 by Katherine Stevens

Silver made by lady silversmiths in the 17th century is extremely rare and this porringer bears clear marks for Katherine Stevens.

This attractively shaped bowl has two S-shspaed handles and is engraved with a small coat-of-arms within a lozenge to one side.  The armorial dates from the early 18th century and the lozenge shape denotes it belonged to a widow.

Dating to the reign of King Charles II, this porringer takes the typical plain form of the 1670's. It is in excellent condition and bears a good set of London hallmarks to the flat underside that include the KS maker's mark between two mullets.

Katherine Stevens is one of the earliest recorded female silversmiths. Following the death of Roger Stevens in 1673, she took over the running of her husband's business and testified to the freedoms of his two apprentices in 1676 and 1677. She continued to run the business until circa 1680 when she handed over her trade to John Duck her son-in-law. (See Mitchell page 410)