Background
He was the English-born son of the Huguenot (Protestant) refugee Archambault family from France.
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Peter Peter Archambo I
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Archambo"s work is described as French in influence and he is credited with helping to introduce the Rococo style into England (popular c 1725 – c 1765). After serving as apprentice for ten years to Jacob Margas he became a Freeman of the Butchers" Company on 7 December 1720 (rather than the Goldsmiths" Company, which was restricting entry to foreigners into their guild). He first registered his mark in London in 1721, his second mark in 1722 and his third mark in 1739 and is thought to have retired around 1750 and to have died c.
1759.
Archambo produced much fine quality domestic silver encompassing a wide range of objects, including cups, candlesticks, cream jugs and cake baskets. The wares often feature marine motifs such as shells and figures such as Neptune. In 1731 he produced the very fine hot water kettle with a circular body with a finely engraved contemporary armorial crest now part of the interpretative collection at The Johnston Collection in East Melbourne (in Victoria).
Shells and Neptune adorn this elegant item which would have been a key requisite for entertaining in style.
The Gilbert Collection now at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London has a neo-classical hot-water urn and a set of three exquisite caddies with finely engraved decoration. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York there are a pair of plain ewers dated 1740 and a pair of sauce boats dated 1733-1734.
Thomas Heming was apprenticed to Archambo from 1735-1745, whose work, distinctly French in character, shows signs of his master"s influence. Heming was an influential and highly regarded goldsmith and from 1760-1782 he was appointed Principal Goldsmith to George III. He was responsible for many pieces of large and important silverware, including regalia and plate for the coronation of George III in 1761.
