Description

A handsome early English silver tazza of plain form on a shaped foot. Britannia standard silver*. Lovely simple styling typical of the period. Good coat of arms engraved to the top with birds either side. Excellent weight and patina. Weight 517 grams, 16.6 troy ounces. Height 5.5 cms. Diameter 23.25 cms. London 1708. Maker Geo Gillingham.

Literature: From the 17th century until the reign of George I, salvers (often called tazzas) were raised on a pedestal foot. By 1700 some were made with the foot unscrewing. Very occasionally this type will also have 3 or 4 feet so that the salver can be used on a lower level.

*Britannia Standard. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.