Ayme Videau
(active from 1723 to 1775)
EWER WITH BASIN, LONDON, 1755
in vermeil engraved and embossed
basin 37,5x26,5 cm; ewer 27,5 high, 2420 gr.
(2)
The basin has an oval moulded shape. The wide rim is richly decorated with volutes and leaves. The centre boss bears a bipartite coat of arms with phytomorphic elements and the inscription of the motto LET THE DEED SHEW.
The ewer stands on a circular foot. Its base is engraved with wavy decorations. The body is enriched by volutes and the central part of the ewer bears the same coat of arms with the motto of the basin. The handle is decorated with a vegetable ornament.
The bipartite coat of arms shows the heraldic symbols of the Fleming and Coleman families. Sir John Fleming was the first to be named Baronet of Brompton Park, Middlesex in April 1763. In 1753 he married Jane Coleman, daughter of William Coleman. They had two daughters and after the death of the Baronet John Fleming in 1763, his wife got married again.
There are few records about the life of the silversmith Ayme Videau. He belonged to a French Huguenot family, forced to flee England at the end of XVII century. In 1723 Videau started his apprenticeship as silversmith worker at the workshop of David Willaume.