Lawrence Holme Twentyman
Active 1818- 1852
Born on 5 May 1793 in Liverpool, he was the son of John Middleton Twentyman and Phoebe Holme. After leaving school he served an apprenticeship as a clock and watchmaker. He arrived at the Cape on 12 June 1818 aboard the Ann. In his Memorial to the Cape Governor seeking permission to remain at the Cape he described himself as a qualified clock and watchmaker. Married Betsy Burrell on 24 March 1821. Lawrence, his wife and three children were granted a permit to leave the Cape on 8 March 1832. He returned to the Cape for short periods in 1835, 1837, 1844 and in 1846. Died on 8 June 1852 and was buried at Highgate Cemetery.
A rare Cape silver table fork in the Fiddle and Shell pattern, examples are known to exist but these are regarded as rare. The fork is single struck (pattern only on the front), the shell is a lovely feature. A similar example is depicted the book “Further Researches in Cape Silver” by David Heller, page 68, plate 13, also made by Lawrence Twentyman. English versions of this pattern are also scarce, mostly made in Scotland and Newcastle, London versions are rare (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 114). The hallmarks are clear, makers mark LT and 4 pseudo hallmarks (crowned leopard’s head town mark, date letter a, duty mark and lion passant), this is mark 135 in Cape Silver by Welz.
Weight: 61 grams
Dimensions: 20.0 cm
Provenance: Leopard Antiques