John Townsend
Active 1824- 1841
John and Thomas Townsend worked together as goldsmiths and jewellers in 1824 and 1825.His address from 1837-1841 is the same as that of Peter Clarke Daniel.
John Townsend was an active goldsmith, jeweller, and later auctioneer in Cape Town from 1824 to 1841, though his birth and death dates are unknown. He began his career at 9 Berg Street (1824–1825), then moved to 4 Longmarket Street in 1826, followed by 5 Longmarket Street (1827–1829), 1 Market Square (1830–1832), and 5 Heerengracht (1833–1835). In 1836, he operated a manufactory of plate and jewellery at 1a St John Street, returning to 5 Heerengracht from 1838 to 1841, where he expanded his services to include watchmaking. During this time, he became part of the firm Bevil and Townsend, Auctioneers and Appraisers (1841), and later joined Deneys Brothers & Company at 16 Heerengracht (1842–1844), continuing there as an auctioneer until 1846. His earlier business address (1833–1837) was shared with Adams and Daniel, and from 1837 to 1841, with Peter Clarke Daniel.
Rare Cape silver presentation beaker by John Townsend, Circa 1824- 1841 inscribed: “Presented by Mrs Keiser; to Capt. Brooks of the Lavinia, as a token of respect, for attention, shown to her Sister, and Brother, Lissette, and Theodore Keiser, during a Passage in his ship, from London to ye Cape of Good Hope.” and dated Cape Town Feb 10, 1832. The reverse side having the initials JB.
Note: See page 50- S. Welz, Cape Silver where a similar example dated 1826 is illustrated.
Provenance: The Old Corkscrew