Irish Skillet

Explanation:

This three-pint Irish skillet bears the maker’s initials WH. While several Irish brassfounders are recorded with these initials, the most likely candidate is William Hodges or William Hodges & Son of Dublin.  William Hodges is recorded as being active as a brazier from 1777 to 1787 and again in the 1790s together with his son John, who later took over the business, at 27 Exchequer Street, Dublin.  Another member of the Hodges family, also called William, was listed as a brassfounder and ironmonger of 16 Westmorland Street in 1816 and again in 1830.  The business continued to thrive well into the 19th century, as the trade plate shows, and John Hodges and Son were still at 16 Westmorland Street in 1858.  As well as making copper alloy goods, the Hodges were pewterers.

Reference:

• David Hall, Irish Brass, Bronze and Copper 1600 – 1900, 2014, National Museums of Ireland, ISBN 9780901777980