ownership initials 'MNR' to the base, worn hallmarks to the rim and touchmark to the reverse, engraved all over in wrigglework, which could possibly be later, worked with the Royal arms and motto surmounted by initials 'CR II', the booge inscribed 'VIVAT REX CAROLUS SECUNDUS BEATI PACIFIC 1661', the rim with the sun in splendour between trailing oak leaves, acorns and tulips

Private Collection, England;
Sotheby's Olympia, 27th April 2004, lot 11.

For the touchmark of Robert Jones, see Howard Cotterell, Old Pewter Its Makers and Marks, Batsford, 1969, p.366, no. 5730 (mark 27, touchplate 1, London). Decorative but of a worn and polished appearance. The surface of the charger is distressed. There are numerous scratches and scores to this surface. Some over the wrigglework and some under. There is pitting most notably to the rim and on the Scottish quarter of the coat of arms. Traces of oxidization to the surface all over. Recent polishing has taken place and there are residual traces of dried polish to the wrigglework impressions. There are dents and prangs to the rim. The reverse has a later hanging device, the reverse, like the front has a 'stripped' appearance (The makers touch mark on the reverse is extremely worn (as are the hallmarks on the front). The height is 46.3cm. The 0.2 variant to the width is because the piece is slightly mis-shapen. Physical inspection of the piece is recommended.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Information on Robert Jones is limited. He is recorded as an apprentice pewterer in London and was working on his own by 1657. He took up livery with The Worshipful Company of Pewterers on the 28th November 1667 and became a steward of that company in 1669 (see Howard Cotterell, Old Pewter its Makers and Marks, Batsford, 1969, p.366, no.5730). His marks were copied but those on the offered lot have become barely discernible and appear to be consistent with examples on work acknowledged as being by his hand. It is a matter of debate about the engraving on this and twenty-four other known 'Royal' chargers and what exactly they commemorate. They have one feature in common which is the armorial of Charles II and the inscription 'VIVAT REX CAROLUS SECUNDUS BEATI PACIFICI' (long live King Charles II and blessed are the peace makers) and often the date 1662. The present lot features the date 1661 and is one of five of these pewter dishes with this year in common. Some commemorative English Delft also feature this date and are worthy of note and comparison. A sensible suggestion would be that these pieces are a commemoration of the coronation (23 April 1661) and celebratory of the restoration of the monarchy. Ownership initial triads (in this case MNR to the bottom of the rim) are often associated with a marriage on pieces of English 17th furniture, the shared married surname initial between that of the groom and bride.

The Victoria and Albert Museum own four similar chargers one of which is illustrated in Anthony North, Pewter at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, p.73, item 50. The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge has three and the British Museum one. The Worshipful Company of Pewterers of London have two; one is illustrated in 'A short History of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers of London and a Catalogue of Pewterware in its Possession', London, 1968, p. 27 and another is illustrated in their 'Supplementary catalogue of Pewterware', 1979, p. 17.

Another two examples (illustrated by A.V. Sutherland-Graeme, 'Pewter Restoration Chargers', Connoisseur, July 1942, p. 124-128) with different working to each rim were offered at Bonhams, Chester, 15 October 1999, lot 1095 and the other on the 8th of September 2000, lot 897. Sotheby's have offered similar chargers, amongst others, on 2 May 1947, lot 20; 3 June 1965, lot 69; 25 July 1973, lot 121; 11 February 1974, lot 144 (again on 20 November 1985, lot 171), and on the 13 June 1977, lot 10.