It is thus seen that the design of the metal-worker is perennial; it belongs to no especial period and to no particular country. The working of silver is one of the oldest arts crafts of man. “There is nothing new under the sun,” said Solomon, and although his mind was not fixed on the arts and crafts, there is an applicability about the adage. The caprice of fashion has determined for how long a period a certain form should be in use, till it was replaced by some other form--a deviation from the former or a reversion to an older form. It is the pleasure of the collector to unravel the motives which led to changes or which put a dead stop to inventiveness. Every object he examines, every specimen he owns, is another fact which stands in the long chain enabling him to pick his way from one conclusion to another. The premises are there, the data is his, if only his conclusions be sound. SALE PRICES POSSET-POTS. Prices vary considerably, according to the character of the example. Charles II examples being from 100s. to 300s. per oz. Four examples have sold for as much as £400. PORRINGERS. Unique and early examples are just as expensive as posset-pots. Charles II specimens have realized from £300 to £600. Exceptional pieces have brought sensational prices. A Charles II example of 1661, maker I. W., sold in 1909 for £1,015 at 270s. per oz. In the same year a smaller one, made by George Gibson in 1680, sold for 330s. per oz., realizing £75. The differences in prices discernible from Charles II to late Georgian are roughly: William III, £5 to £12 per oz.; Queen Anne, £3 to £6 per oz.; George I and II, 50s. per oz. The faker has been active with so-called “Queen Anne” porringers, with special fluting and marked with the Britannia or higher standard mark. Collectors who have been taken in by these can have them assayed at the London Assay Office or elsewhere, and if the mark is forged there is a legal remedy. FOOTNOTES: [4] _Short History of the English People_, by J. R. Green. VII THE CANDLESTICK [Illustration: CHARLES I CANDLESTICK. 1637. (Marks illustrated p. 361.) (_By courtesy of Messrs. Crichton Brothers._)] [Illustration: LAMBETH DELFT CANDLESTICK. With coat of arms, and dated 1648.] CHAPTER VII THE CANDLESTICK The seventeenth-century candlestick--Early examples--The contemporary potter--Charles II examples--The eighteenth century--Queen Anne and early Georgian types--Provincial makers--The classic style--The Sheffield candlestick.