Ending 28th Sep, 2026 19:00
Open House
12
A collection of George III and George IV matched silver fiddle pattern flatware
most by William Eley & William Fearn, London 1804 and later,
each engraved with a monogram 'JK', within a garter and lion rampant, comprising twelve tablespoons, eleven dessert forks, nine dessert spoons
The flatware belonged to Dr John Keate (1773-1852), Headmaster of Eton College from 1809-1834. John Keate was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge. He took the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1810. At King's College John Keate had a brilliant career as a scholar; taking holy orders, he became, about 1797, an assistant master at Eton College. In 1809 he was elected headmaster. The discipline of the school was then in a most unsatisfactory condition, and Dr Keate took stern measures to improve it. His partiality for the birch became a by-word, but he succeeded in restoring order and strengthening the weakened authority of the masters. When he retired in 1834, the boys, who admired his courage, presented him with a handsome testimonial. A couple of years before he had publicly flogged eighty boys on one day. Keate was made a canon of Windsor in 1820.
(32)
tablespoons, 21.5cm long, 54ozt overall
Provenance:Provenance: By descent from Dr John Keate (1773-1852)
Take advantage of our Sworders Delivery Service. Please see 'Shipping estimate' below.
£1,500 - £2,000
Buyer's premium: 32.40% (inclusive of VAT, where applicable)
Condition Report
This lot does not have a condition report, if you would like further information, please click the 'Request A Condition Report’ button below.
Browse an Auction & Create Your Account
When you’d like to place a bid, simply click the Bid Online button — this will take you to our timed auction bidding site. If the Bid Online button isn't visible, please visit timed.sworder.co.uk
If you’re new to Sworders, you’ll need to create an online account. Once you’ve registered and added your card details, your account will be approved and ready for bidding in both timed auctions and live sales via SwordersLive.
Sign In & Start Bidding
Please note that commission (absentee) bids cannot be placed by Sworders staff on your behalf in timed auctions.
You can increase your bid at any time during the auction. If another bidder outbids you, you’ll receive an email notification so you can respond quickly.
If a new bid is placed in the final 5 minutes before closing, that lot’s end time automatically extends by another 5 minutes.
If you can’t bid as the lot ends, simply enter your maximum bid — Sworders will bid automatically on your behalf up to that amount.
To view or manage your current bids, visit timed.sworder.co.uk.
Need Help?
If you have any questions, we’re here to help:
E auctions@sworder.co.uk
T 01279 817778 (Monday – Friday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm)
Auction: Open House, ending 28th Sep, 2026
Viewing
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Wednesday 23 September, 10am - 3pm
Thursday 24 September, 10am - 3pm
Friday 25 September, 10am - 3pm
Monday 28 September - 10am-3pm
Full Terms & Conditions relating to our auctions can be found here
Please select the shipping destination;
Buying a pre-loved, antique, or vintage item not only provides you with unique style and value for money but it also helps to reduce landfill, and the annual emissions of an antique or vintage piece can be as little as one sixteenth of those of its new equivalent!
Sworders is proud to be supporting the work of Antiques are Green - the movement that was founded in 2009 to promote “a greener future created from the past”. Read their fascinating carbon footprint study of a Georgian chest of drawers versus a modern equivalent here
Request A Valuation
Here at Sworders, we are happy to offer a free online valuation service. Please fill out the form and press the 'Submit' button below.
To help us with your valuation please attach clear photographs of the item where possible. You can submit up to 5.
Approximate dimensions are also useful. Expect to hear from the appropriate valuer as soon as possible.
