A fine and substantial Victorian silver plate fluted wine cooler by Benjamin Smith II, London 1837. Of campana form with fluted body and flaring rim, upon holly leaf base, with naturalistic split vine/ branch handles. In wonderful condition. Benjamin Smith Benjamin Smith II, London silversmith. Originally of Birmingham, born 15 December 1764, first marriage 1788. Grimwade records first mention of Benjamin Smith through a 3rd party recommendation as �an Ingeneous Chaser� in 1790 to Matthew Boulton at Birmingham. By September 1792 the firm of Boulton and Smith, latchet manufacturers was in existence. In 1801 Benjamin withdrew from the partnership and went to London. On 1 February 1802, Benjamin married for a second time to Mary Shiers at Greenwich Church and was presumably setting up the workshop there. First mark, in partnership with Digby Scott, 4 October 1802. Second mark together, 21 March 1803. The partnership apparently dissolved by 11 May 1807, when Smith entered a third separate mark. Fourth mark, 25 June 1807. Fifth mark in partnership with his brother James 1809. Sixth separate mark, 1812. Seventh mark, 1814. Eighth mark in partnership with his son Benjamin, 1816. Ninth mark alone again, 1818. By his first marriage Smith had four sons, of whom Benjamin was the eldest and three daughters, and by Mary Shiers a fourth daughter in 1803 at Greenwich. His third son Digby, born 2 June 1797, may be assumed to be the godson of Digby Scott. It appears that Smith was of a difficult and probably irascible nature and is this borne out by the variations in his entry of marks with and without partners. His firm was of course, together with Storr, manufacturing almost entirely for Rundell and Bridge, and it seems that the later may have supported Smith�s move to London. The firm�s most important production is probably The Jamaica Service of 1803 in The Royal Collection. The silver-gilt trays, baskets, and wine coasters with open-w...