Rare set of 3 Provincial Silver Neck-Ring Sauce Labels Quin's Sauce, Lemon Pickle & Ketchup

An extremely rare set of three 18th Century Provincial silver Sauce Labels of pierced pear or teardrop shape, with attached circular silver wire neck-rings. Incised and niello filled for Quin's Sauce, Lemon Pickle and Ketchup.

Maker's mark only - 'A J' ? Possibly Scottish Provincial c1785.

14.5 grams total weight

Three of the only recorded set of four. Another Sauce Label for Soy, of the same design and with maker's mark 'AJ', was sold in the 'Weed Collection' by Sotheby's, New York, Lot 64, April 12th 1995.

A set of four Wine Labels of a very similar design, but with a peaked projection, and with maker's mark only - 'AJ', were sold by Bonhams, Bond Street, London, Lot 279, March 21st 2003.

There has been some speculation in the the literature regarding the attribution of the maker 'AJ'. See: "Sauce Labels", by John Salter, page 103, where he suggests Alexander Johnston II of London c1760-85. Bonham's in 2003 tentatively attributed the Wine Labels to Alexander Jenkins of Exeter c1781-1814. The late Andrew Gilmour suggested 'AJ' of Banff c1800. There is also an Alexander Johnston of Dundee who registered marks in the first half of the 18th century.

None of the above appears conclusive, but my feeling is that these Labels are probably late 18th century Scottish Provincial.

Sold - £1,750.00