Item number: 60171
A very rare pair of Queen Anne Britannia silver tazze,
London 1703 by John Bache
Standing on a central round foot, with moulded rim to the top side. The centre depicting an engraved coat of arms commemorating a marriage between two noble families.
Outstandingly preserved and very rare pair of Queen Anne tazzas made of Britannia silver (which corresponds to a silver content of 958/1000 and thus has a higher fineness than sterling silver) without repairs and showing its original preserved surface.
By far the best pair of silver tazze we have been able to offer so far.
First tazza: 23.0 cm / 9.05″ diameter, 6.9 cm / 2,71″ height; 504.8 g / 16.22 oz
Second tazza: 23.0 cm / 9.05″ diameter, 7 cm / 2.75″ height; 513.1 g / 16.49 oz
It is not only the rarity that should be emphasised that these tazzas exist as a pair, but also their outstandingly good condition, which can be seen in the completely unrubbed hallmarks on both objects as well as an equally completely unrubbed engraving of the contemporary marital coat of arms. It is also remarkable that no repairs have been carried out on these tazzas after more than 320 years. The heavily crafted tazzas also still show the traces of their manufacture to the underside and in the centre foot – even in these areas the surface is untouched. The centre feet are part hallmarked with the leopard´s head of the London Assay Office. This hallmark was somewhat carelessly struck on one of the two tazze (see the detailed photos).
The engraved coat of arms commemorates the marriage of Sir Jemmett Raymond (1662 – 1754) and his second wife (his first wife died in 1688) Elizabeth Skilling (died 4th June 1754). The Raymond family manor house, Barton Court, in Kintbury, Berkshire, still exists today. Jemmett Raymond and Elizabeth Skilling were married on 1st January 1703 in the parish church of St Martin-in-the-Field (Middlesex). There is not only existing the entry in the parish register for this marriage, but also a memorial inside the church with busts of Jemmett Raymond and his two wives. A genealogical report on the engravings will be added.
John Bache was born as the son of Thomas Bache of Avely (?) Salop yeoman, apprenticed to William Harrison 28 February 1673. Free, 5 March 1680. Court, 1703. Warden, 1718, 1722-3. Prime Warden, 1726. His first wife Margaret buried at St. Mary Woolnoth, 11 September 1682, when he is described as Silversmith; their son John baptized 5 June 1681. Married secondly June 1683, at St. Mary Woolnoth, Suzanna Moore, when he is described as silversmith and both of that parish. Three sons and four daughters of this marriage baptized between 1684 and 1701, and an apprentice George Chapman buried 1687, when Bache is variously goldsmith or silversmith. First mark entered as largeworker in partnership with William Denny (also apprenticed to William Harrison, q.v.), undated, probably 1697. Second mark alone as largeworker, 1 November 1700, and third (Sterling) mark, 20 June 1720, without address for either. Heal records him as working goldsmith, parish of St. Mary Woolnoth, 1688-1701; and plate-worker, Dove Court, Lombard Street, 1700-29, with Denny and Bache at same address. In the church registers the spelling of the name varies between Bache, Backe, and Batch.
