Description

A lovely early English antique silver tazza with simple reed border and pedestal foot. Britannia standard silver*. Beautiful plain style typical of the period. Hand engraved to the centre is a contemporary cartouche of scrolling foliage around a lion within a shield.

Weight 469 grams, 15 troy ounces.
Diameter 24 cms. Height 4.5 cms.
Hallmarked on the top edge with clear crisp marks for London 1703.
Maker John Lofthouse I.

Marks. The silver marks are clear and easy to read. The pedestal foot has the lion mark.

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.

This rare silver salver is in excellent condition. The hand engraving is crisp, original and of excellent quality.

Maker: John Lofthouse I

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