An unusual set of six silver-inset yew wood trencher place settings by Louis Osman, each wit...

An unusual set of six silver-inset yew wood trencher place settings by Louis Osman, each with a principal plate and two small ‘condiment’ dishes, hand-wrought and with posthumous Britannia standard hallmarks for the London Assay Office, 1997, plates diameter 23cm, dishes diameter 6cm, trencher 26 x 39cm. £1,500-£2,000 --- Provenance: This set was inherited by Louis Osman’s daughter Marie-Louise. After her death it was bequeathed to the current vendor. It seems that Louis Osman has here reinterpreted mediaeval and early modern ‘high table’ formal dining, where a side plate was provided for utensils and napkin and small dishes for salt and condiment/spices, food then being served and eaten from the trencher. The use of the Britannia standard is consistent with silver wrought by Louis Osman. The absence of his personal mark and hallmark suggests that this set was either for the use of himself and his family, or was intended as a gift or private commission; the presence of a posthumous London Assay Office sponsor mark dated for the year after Osman’s death may indicate an intention to offer for sale subsequently. Peter Musgrove first worked with Louis and Dilys Osman as a silversmith when he was a student in the early 1970s. He set up his own business in 1972 but continued making works for Louis right up to latter’s death in 1996. He was the ‘most loyal of all Louis’ smiths, totting up to at least 30 years of intermittent employment’ (Jenny Moore). Peter Musgrove confirmed to the vendor of this lot that he had personally finished work on these trenchers, at the request of Marie-Louise, after Louis’ death. Please note this lot is subject to ARR (Artist’s Resale Rights). Condition Report Good condition, but naturally occurring radial cracks in the wood with some losses. Weight of plates: 10oz. Weight of small dishes: 0.62-0.64oz.