Pair Antique Silver of Rare George III Chambersticks made in 1791 London with Wick Trimmers/Snuffers 1775 London

It is believed that Jones was the widow of one Robert Jones, but this is uncertain. She is known to have registered her mark on 15th January 1783 and has been ascribed an address of 49 Bartholomew Close; her occupation at this time was listed as plateworker.

She specialised in the production of salvers and trays, and numerous trays by her have survived. No record either of apprenticeship or of freedom has been found.

Two pieces by Jones are in the collection of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, a George III teapot stand of 1783 and a George III tray of 1795.

London silversmith, no record of apprenticeship or freedom.

First mark entered as plateworker on 11th February, 1792. Address: 45 St John’s Street, West Smithfield.

Second mark 2nd August, 1800.

Third mark 8th August, 1800. Heal records him as Thomas (clearly a directory misprint), plateworker St John Street, 1792 and as Timothy, goldsmith, London , 1800-04.

Although the company records show no signs of his connections, it seems likely that Renou came from a considerable family of goldsmiths. The earliest recorded is Philippe Renou a refugee c. 1685; other London silversmiths working in the 1700s were Abraham Renou, Jacques Renou, James Renou, E Renou and Timothy Renou (grandfather?).

A Timothy Renou, perhaps son of the goldsmith, served as a midshipman in H. M. S. Colossus at Trafalgar. He was born at Berwick in 1789, which seems, however, to make the connection unlikely (The Nelson Collection at Lloyds, 1932 p. 10 footnote 25).

Renou’s mark is usually found on dinner plates, dishes and to a limited extent salvers, all of good quality and refinement of design.

No record of apprenticeship or freedom.

First mark entered as snuffermaker, 11th October 1787. Address: 8 Albermarle Street. Second mark, 8th July 1805. Third mark, in partnership with John Booth (potentially his son), 28th June 1810, same address.