Early George I Waiter Britannia Standard Richard Bayley, London Hallmarked 1715

Description

A good early
George I
Britannia standard
¹
silver
salver
or
waiter
of
plain
tazza form
,
²
on three
stepped
pad feet
, the
well
center apparently
never engraved
as the metal is of uniform thickness, its color is consistent across the top and bottom and without surface inconsistencies either above or below
, with a
double
border
, bearing the rubbed serif maker's mark, most probably
B
A
inside a lobed punch (see Grimwade 116) as the left lobes of the quatrefoil are visible, for
Richard Bayley
³
of London and with rubbed but discernible hallmarks for
1715
, the
owner's initials
H⁜G
lightly engraved underneath in block letters, measuring 5
¾
in. and weighing 8.9 troy ounces or 5.2 grams, some portions of the border edge with waviness and faint dimpling, a small area of fire scale underneath, no apparent repairs, damages or alterations, with small dents, scratches, tarnish and wear commensurate with age and use, overall good condition.
¹
The
Britannia Standard
was introduced by William III in 1696 to inhibit the clipping and melting of silver coinage, and would last in force until 1720. Britannia silver is softer and therefore more malleable than sterling silver.
² Sometimes called tazze during this period, larger examples were generally raised on a pedestal foot that was most often trumpet shaped and sometimes detachable.
Their smaller counterparts, which sometimes have either three or four feet to facilitate service at a lower level, were far less common.
³
Bayley was a prolific maker of
tazze during this period, with many surviving virtually identical larger examples.
Grimwade records him as a
largeworker
who started his apprenticeship under Charles Overing 28 April 1699, was turned over to John Gibbons 26 Apr 1704 and was free 11 Dec 1706. He would enter his first mark 29 March 1608 and would begin working at Foster Lane.
For
further information, including a representation of this particular mark (116), his other marks and a biography, see the following reference: Grimwade, A.G. (1990). London Goldsmiths 1697-1837 Their Marks & Lives. Queen Square, London, England: Faber & Faber.
Jackson cites Bayley as a "Prolific maker of good holloware". See p. 37 of the following reference: Pickford, I. (Ed.). (1991). Pocket Edition: Jackson's Hallmarks Silver & Gold Marks of England, Scotland & Ireland. Woodbridge, Suffolk, England: the Antique Collectors' Club.
This item will be shipped
USPS Priority Mail
,
fully insured
with
Delivery Confirmation
.