The Transformation of English Silver
14th October 2025-
Lot 449, a pair of William III silver reliquary caskets by Anthony Nelme, London, 1701
Anthony Nelme (active 1685–1722/23), a distinguished English silversmith from Much Marcle, Herefordshire, rose to prominence during a transformative period in the history of English silver. The late 17th and early 18th centuries were marked by the strong influence of French Huguenot artisans, whose arrival in London introduced a new era of design innovation and exceptional craftsmanship.
The 1685 Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV, which outlawed Protestantism in France, led to the mass exodus of Huguenots to Protestant countries; England being a principal destination. Many of these refugees were highly skilled craftsmen who brought with them refined Continental techniques and a taste for elaborate Baroque and Rococo styles. Their impact on English silver was immediate and profound, setting new standards of sophistication and design that appealed to the aristocracy and royal patrons alike.
Although Nelme’s early work reflected traditional English restraint, his later designs evolved in response to this new aesthetic climate. His pieces began to display more elaborate decoration, clearly echoing the Continental styles introduced by the Huguenots. However, despite this stylistic shift, Nelme himself was resistant to the foreign presence. During the peak of Huguenot prominence, he was among the signatories to Goldsmiths’ Company petitions protesting against these "necessitous strangers."
Nelme was apprenticed in 1672 and became a freeman of the Goldsmiths' Company in 1679–80. He attracted high-profile patrons, including Queen Anne and members of the aristocracy. Among his most important surviving works are the Parker Wine Cistern (1719-1720) at the V&A Museum and a pair of silver pilgrim bottles from 1715 at Chatsworth.
Lot 449, a pair of William III silver reliquary caskets by Anthony Nelme, London, 1701, is a striking example of this transitional period in English silver. Richly decorated with winged cherub heads, acanthus leaves, and garland motifs, the caskets reflect both the influence of Continental baroque style and the enduring English tradition.
Silver specialist Rupert Slingsby said, ‘It is unusual to see reliquary caskets of this period coming up for auction, and to have a pair by such a well-known London silversmith is particularly rare.’
From the collection of Belmont Abbey, Hereford, the pair carries a pre-sale estimate of £6,000–£8,000 (excluding auction fees) and will be offered in the upcoming Silver, Gold & Objects of Vertu sale.
