b"22Channel Islands and British SilverGreat economic changes had started to affect theThere is much evidence that many of the silversmiths prosperity of the Guernsey and Jersey islanders bydid not operate exclusively in the Channel Islands. The the early 17th century. The great milling families hadprosperity of the island merchants suffered at times achieved prosperity and merchants were exportingand as the demand for the silversmiths' wares was the fine woollen goods produced in the homes of thedependent on the circumstances of this class they country people and brought to market. The vast codhad to learn to be adaptable. During the early part of reserves off Newfoundland had been discovered andthe Napoleonic Wars, for example, the merchants and the triangular trade route begun. The way was clearlyship owners suffered badly as they could not safely set for the rise of a whole new merchant class andship their goods abroad and many of their ships were a new market for silversmiths had begun. The vastcaptured by the French. Trade with the merchant towns fortunes amassed by these merchant families wereof the south coast of England had existed for many without doubt the catalyst for the increase in theyears and during such difficult times the silversmiths number of operating silversmiths and the variety ofmoved over there for at least part of the year, many silverwares produced. The fortunes made in agricultureforming permanent associations with these towns. in the late 18th century provided further demand.Some carried on other professions to supplement These newly rich fishermen, smugglers, woollentheir income: Jacques Limbour and Jacques Quesnel merchants, agriculturists and bankers required goodsof Jersey as part time librarians and Jean Du Port of to emphasize their achievements and new-foundGuernsey, as a blacksmith, for example. Together status, and these included silverware manufacturedwith the native silversmiths, the Huguenots who had by the local silversmiths. prospered invested in the other enterprises emerging The first French Huguenots arrived in the islands afterat that time. Some purchased an interest in shipping, the Massacre of St Bartholomew in 1572. There are noothers, later, in banking. Along with all male islanders records at this stage, however, of these migrs beingover the age of 16, the silversmiths were conscripted engaged as silversmiths, although it remains a stronginto the Royal Militias and many achieved rank in possibility. In 1598 Henry IV of France invoked the Edictaddition to supplying the regiments with presentation of Nantes granting religious freedom to the Huguenotspieces and militia spoons.and as a result many returned to France. HoweverPerhaps the assimilation and prosperity of the when, in 1685, Louis XIV revoked the Edict, there wasimmigrant Huguenots is best epitomized by the story a mass exodus of skilled craftsmen from France andof Pierre Amiraux. (See Lots 91, 94, 121 and 154). hundreds found their way to Jersey and Guernsey.Amiraux was a second or third generation working Amongst these new arrivals were silversmiths, some,silversmith in Jersey, the first having arrived in the no doubt, attracted by the relative ease in setting upisland from Saumur after the revocation of the Edict in business in the islands. There was no requirementof Nantes. As well as being a working silversmith to enter their mark, no assay office and their toolswith premises at 1 Queen Street in St Helier, Amiraux were easily transported. These Huguenot silversmithswas also a lieutenant in the East Regiment of the found a ready market for their sophisticated silverwaresRoyal Jersey Militia, the owner of a privateer, the amongst the newly rich merchant classes and the olderRevenge, and a town surveyor. In addition to all these seigneural families. As news of their success spread,activities he was a founder member of the Jersey more silversmiths arrived over the next 25 years. ManyChamber of Commerce, the first chamber in the of them even brought their punches and continued toEnglish speaking world.use them in the Islands. Even when they made new[Adapted from Channel Islands Silver punches, their French origins are often unmistakableby Richard Mayne, 1985]through the inclusion of the fleur-de-lys and crown surmounting the maker's initials in the typical French fashion of the time."