George III Silver Sauceboats


Date: 1764

Maker: Thomas Heming

Country: England

Stock: 8159

Description

A handsome pair of antique sterling silver sauceboats with classic plain style typical of the period. With a broad band of gadroon edging, acanthus leaf handle and sitting on chunky shell feet. Each with a hand engraved crest to one side. Very good weight and large size. Each contains 330 ml. Total weight of pair 757 grams, 24.3 troy ounces. Spread 21 cms. Height 12.6 cms (to top of handle). Width 10.25 cms. London 1764. Maker Thomas Heming.

Biography

Thomas Heming

Thomas Heming was apprenticed to Edmund Bodington on March 7, 1738, and turned over on the same day to the Huguenot goldsmith Peter Archambo. In 1745 Thomas Heming entered his first mark. Heming rose to prominence in 1760 with his appointment as Principal Goldsmith to King George III, in which capacity he was responsible for supplying regalia and plate required for the coronation. Heming held this appointment until 1782, when he was ousted after an investigation into his apparently excessive charges. Grimwade (1976, p. 543) comments that "some of his earlier surviving pieces in the Royal collection show a French delicacy of taste and refinement of execution which is unquestionably inherited from his master Archambo."
It was Lord Bute, one of Heming’s most important patrons, who encouraged this significant new appointment. Heming was the first working goldsmith to hold this post since the early seventeenth century and the majority of pieces were made in his own workshop. The superb quality and refined delicacy of many of the items reflect the influence of Peter Archambo.

Condition

These lovely sauce boats are in very good condition with no damage or restoration. Heavy gauge silver. Crisp hand engraved crests. Both stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks, the makers marks are not fully struck but are identifiable. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

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