George Smith III and William Fearn became partners in 1786 and remained so until around 1792. The makers initials for William Fearn first appeared around 1772 although he was apprenticed to Thomas Chawner in 1762. George Smith III and George Smith IV were father and son. I believe that William Fearn was made bankrupt in 1777. Later he also worked with William Eley and William Chawner.
George Smith and William Fearn Silver Maker’s Mark
A GEORGE III STERLING SILVER CIRCULAR FOOTED SALVER BY GEORGE SMITH III & WILLIAM FEARN, LONDON, 1801 The scalloped gadrooned rim above a plain surface centering the arms of HOLLAND/HOLLOND of Benhall Lodge, Suffolk with another in pretence, on ball-and-claw feet, weight approximately 30 oz troy height 1 1/4in (3cm); diameter 11 3/4in (30cm).
Sold for US$ 1,062 (£ 838) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2013
A SET OF TWELVE GEORGE III SILVER PLACE PLATES MARK OF GEORGE SMITH AND WILLIAM FEARN, LONDON, 1792 Shaped circular with gadrooned rim, the borders engraved with a crest and the undersides engraved with later monogram ‘G.P.H.’, marked to underside 11 in. (28 cm.) diameter 321 oz. (9,983.1 gr.)
Sold for USD 11,250 at Christie’s in 2018
George III Silver Strainer Spoon mark of George Smith III and William Fearn, London (1794), armorial engraving to handle. 12 in. 4.1 troy oz.
Sold for $160 at Leland Little Auctions in 2019
Silver basting spoons made by Smith and Fearn circa 1794–95
Each spoon, forged from a single piece, has an oval bowl and a flattened stem with a plain drop and a plain Hanoverian end.
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
A large George III silver meat skewer, Smith & Fearn, London, 1786 engraved below the ring terminal with a crest and baron’s coronet, 46.8cm., 18 1/2in., long; together with two smaller meat skewers, ring terminals, one engraved with a crest, the other with a lady’s coat-of-arms, respectively John Lambe, 1778, and George Smith, 1785, both London, 34.4 and 27.4cm., 13 1/2 and 10 3/4in. long 482gr., 15oz. 9dwt.
Sold for 400 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2015
