He was born on April 9, 1688, ‘s Hertogenbosch, Netherland and died on August 1, 1751, in London. Probably the best known English silversmith. His parents, Huguenots who probably left France for religious reasons in the early 1680s, by 1691 had settled in Westminster.
After serving as an apprentice to a London goldsmith, Pierre Platel, de Lamerie registered his mark and established his own shop in 1712. Early in his career he made simple vessels, such as tankards and teapots, in an unornamented Queen Anne style and more pretentious works, such as a large wine cistern (cooler for wine bottles) for the first earl Gower (1719; Minneapolis [Minn.] Institute of Arts), in an ornamented style associated with the work of French Huguenot craftsmen.
In the 1730s de Lamerie was producing works, particularly covered cups, in his version of the Rococo style. A notable example of 1737 is a cup, the handles of which are in the form of realistic snakes (owned by the Fishmoners’ Company, London). A further example of his rich Rococo decoration is a ewer (1741; Goldsmith’s Company, London) with a handle in the form of the figure of a triton.
Unlike the silversmiths on the Continent, de Lamerie made many uncommissioned works that were intended to be stocked for later sale.
Photo courtesy: rwc.co.za