Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/409

 ON THE ASSAY MARKS ON GOLD AND SILVEll PI.ATK. .'^ 1 .j cities all carried the provisions of the Act into effect by establishing assay offices, which still contimic in active operation. The early plate of these cities bears the lion's liead erased and Britanni^i, but when the standard was reduced in 1719 these marks were abandoned, and the old leo})ard's head and lion passant restored. In York the annual letter seems to have been regularly changed ; but I have been unable to learn the order of the alphabets. The distinguishing mark is the arms of the City of York, Avhich arc five lions passant on a cross. In Chester no records or particulars of the assay office are to be found, till within the last twelve years, they having been either not kept or destroyed. The arms of Chester, viz., three gerbes, two in chief, having a sword between them, and one in base, are the mark which distinguishes the office of this city. There is, however, at least one evidence that plate was made and marked at Chester at a period earlier than 1701. For on examination of the large silver-gilt mace belonging to the Mayor and Corporation, which was given by the Earl of Derby, when he was Mayor in 16G8, I find it stamped with the Goldsmiths' mark, and the arms of the City of Chester, as they were then borne, viz., three lions rampant dimidiated, impaled with three gerbes dimi- diated. There is, however, neither leopard's head, lion passant, nor annual letter to be found, and the marks which are there have been nearly obliterated by the burnisher when the mace was regilt. It may be as well to mention here, that when ancient plate is repaired or regilt, silver- smiths should be careful not to deface the marks, as is often done ; for considerably more interest, and therefore value, is attached to plate of Avhich the precise age and date can be ascertained. The mace in question, is very handsome, and in style and size resembles those of the House of Commons and Royal Society. Nothing certain relative to this early assay of plate at Chester seems to be known, but it is said to have been under the authority of some charter supposed to have been granted by Edward I., long since lost, and of which no authentic record seems to remain. In Exeter the records have been carefully preserved, the provisions of the Act immediately put in force, and wardens and assayers appointed. The series of annual letters is as follows : —