Decafoil salver 1722

This silver decafoil salver was made by David Willaume I, a Huguenot silversmith who fled France for London, where he made a name for himself creating luxury goods. The form of the salver, with its ten-lobed edge, is not particularly French or English, suggesting Willaume was trying to appeal to an international clientele. The engraved heraldic crest is fascinating. The inclusion of the crown, the deer, and the fleur-de-lis suggests someone of noble, possibly even royal, status. Silversmiths like Willaume played a crucial role in visually representing the power and prestige of wealthy families and individuals. Analyzing objects like this requires archival research into the lives and patronage networks of Huguenot silversmiths in London. By understanding the social conditions of its production, we can better appreciate the many meanings embedded in this glittering surface.