| George Ferris is a very well known Exeter maker. His
first mention of work sent for Assay was on 15th January 1803, when he sent
13 pairs of buttons for Assay. There are then no further entries for
him until 20th March 1812 when he sent a variety of work for assay,
including 13 pairs of tongs. The 1803 entry appears to have been a
mistake, perhaps the clerk entered "G" instead of "R" for Richard Ferris.
Exeter & West Country Silver records George Ferris from 1800, but apart from
that one entry for 13 pairs of buttons, there was nothing assayed in his
name before 20th March 1812. From March 1812 onwards, George Ferris
sent regular work in for assay.
These are a fairly crudely engraved pair of bright cut tongs. The tongs are dated 1816 and the maker's mark has a journeyman's mark beside it. Click on any picture to enlarge |
