Benjamin Pyne
Benjamin Pyne, apprenticed to George Bowers 1667, free 1676. The maker’s mark “single letter P under a crown”, found shortly after 1680, appears on the 1697 copper plate at the Goldsmith’s Hall, and reappears after 1720, again unentered, can safely be attributed to him. His only authenticated marks are two entered as a largeworker, undated, probably entered in 1697 on commencement of register. He held the position of Subordinate Goldsmith to the King for the coronation of George I only. His son Benjamin was apprenticed to him 21 October 1708, free 8 May 1716 and was elected Assistant Assayer in 1720. By the end of the seventeenth century Pyne was obviously, from his surviving work, a front ranking London goldsmith and shared with Anthony Nelme the main responsibility of upholding native standards against Huguenot competition, even though it’s more than likely that he and Nelme employed (or bought up and remarked the work of) the latter to some extent.
Pyne’s connection with Hoare’s bank seems to have continued for a considerable period and is perhaps responsible for the quantity of orders for municipal maces, regalia and church plate he obtained. However the end of his life was sad. On 17 January 1727, when he must have nearly been 75, he resigned from the Livery, probably due to ill health and bad eyesight, and petitioned with others for the place of Beadle to the Company, vacant by the death of John Bodington, and was elected the same day to the post.
Benjamin Pyne
Benjamin Pyne, apprenticed to George Bowers 1667, free 1676. The maker’s mark “single letter P under a crown”, found shortly after 1680, appears on the 1697 copper plate at the Goldsmith’s Hall, and reappears after 1720, again unentered, can safely be attributed to him. His only authenticated marks are two entered as a largeworker, undated, probably entered in 1697 on commencement of register. He held the position of Subordinate Goldsmith to the King for the coronation of George I only. His son Benjamin was apprenticed to him 21 October 1708, free 8 May 1716 and was elected Assistant Assayer in 1720. By the end of the seventeenth century Pyne was obviously, from his surviving work, a front ranking London goldsmith and shared with Anthony Nelme the main responsibility of upholding native standards against Huguenot competition, even though it’s more than likely that he and Nelme employed (or bought up and remarked the work of) the latter to some extent.
Pyne’s connection with Hoare’s bank seems to have continued for a considerable period and is perhaps responsible for the quantity of orders for municipal maces, regalia and church plate he obtained. However the end of his life was sad. On 17 January 1727, when he must have nearly been 75, he resigned from the Livery, probably due to ill health and bad eyesight, and petitioned with others for the place of Beadle to the Company, vacant by the death of John Bodington, and was elected the same day to the post.
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1722
Benjamin Pyne
8763 Antique George I Silver Taperstick
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A delightful little antique silver taper stick of plain early design with baluster stem and raised hectagonal foot. Cast silver. Weight 112 grams, 3.6 troy ounces. Height 11 cms. Base diameter 6.8 cms. London 1722. Maker Benjamin Pyne.
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1729
Benjamin Pyne
9041 George II Silver Tea Kettle
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An excellent antique sterling silver samovar of plain design and having a shaped folding handle with raffia finish. Uninscribed. The matching stand has a cut-work frieze and stands on large shell feet, it has a removable burner well with push on top. Contains 1550 ml. Weight 1589 grams, 51 troy ounces. Total height 30 cms (handle extended)/ 22.5 cms (to top of kettle finial). London 1729. Maker Benjamin Pyne.
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1705
Benjamin Pyne
6197 Queen Anne Silver Bowl
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A rare and important early English silver bowl from the Queen Anne period. Large size with charmingly quaint lions mask side handles and the ribbed body decoration typical for this period. There is a large scroll cartouche to the front with deep chased decoration. Britannia standard silver*. Weight 1315 grams, 42.2 troy ounces. Height 16.5 cms. Diameter 27.5 cms. London 1705. Maker Benjamin Pyne.
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1688
Benjamin Pyne
6976 James II Porringer and Cover by Benjamin Pyne
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A rare early English sterling silver porringer with matching lid having engraved decoration of cherubs, birds, flowers etc. This chinoiserie decoration was popular over about a ten year period – it is rarely found and adds considerably to the piece. Excellent colour. This charming piece has an armorial to the front and a crest to the reverse. This porringer was sold in 1961 by the famous silver expert Mrs G.E.P How of Pickering Place, St James, London and she describes it in the accompanying paperwork (see photos) as being “of a most unusual form” .I know of only three other examples of this work”. Weight 422 grams, 13.5 troy ounces. Height 9.5 cms, 15 cms with cover. Spread 18 cms. Diameter 11.5 cms. London 1688. Maker Benjamin Pyne.
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