A very small and very rare mid 17th c. English bronze skillet signed on the handle “John Reeve." As Roderick Butler and Christopher Green note in their book English Bronze Cooking Vessels and Their Founders 1350-1830, p. 90, where they picture an almost identical piece, little is known about John Reeve and only one other skillet is known by him, which is undoubtedly this one. Judging from various stylistic elements, legs and hooved feet, open brace under handle, this was undoubtedly made in southeast England—Kent or Sussex and most likely c. 1640-70. 7 5/8” l (to tip of handle) x 3” h. x 3 1/2” bowl diameter.
Provenance: Longridge Collection; Christopher Bangs Collection

SOLD.