Thomas Heming - Silversmith to King George III. A very rare George III Cased Neo Classical Balloon shaped Tea Caddy made in London in 1772 by Thomas Heming.
Thomas Heming - Silversmith to King George III. A very rare George III Cased Neo Classical Balloon shaped Tea Caddy made in London in 1772 by Thomas Heming.
375059
The Caddy stands on four bun feet and rises to a square platform base, decorated with a circular band of lobing. The main body is modelled in the rare balloon form and is decorated with vertical lobes on the lower section. The rim is decorated with reeded bands and the pull-off cover has a gadrooned rim and terminates in an acorn finial. The front of the caddy is engraved with the Arms of a Lady in a lozenge shaped cartouche, all surrounded by a cartouche of bluebell garlands and classical roundels. The Arms are those of a Lady of the Saunders family. The Caddy is in excellent condition and is of a very good gauge, as would be expected from this maker. It is fully marked in the foot and the maker's mark and sterling mark on the cover. The mark of Thomas Heming has a crown above denoting his Royal status.
The Tea Caddy is contained within its original velvet and silver braid lined shagreen case with silver bright cut star shaped key escutcheon and bright cut, arched, swing handle. The hinges are also made of silver. It is most unusual to find a caddy of this design, especially with its original silver mounted case, modelled in this form.
Thomas Heming, the Royal Silversmith, was principal Goldsmith to the King in 1760, an appointment which he held until 1782. Some of his earlier surviving pieces in the Royal Collection show a delicacy of taste and refinement of execution, which was unquestionably inherited from his master, Peter Archambo. His masterpiece is most probably the Speaker's wine cistern, at Belton House, Lincolnshire. He was working from large premises in New Bond Street, London, when this caddy was made.
CADDY:
Height: 7 inches, 17.5 cm.
Diameter at the widest point: 3.2 inches, 8cm.
Weight: 10oz.
SHAGREEN CASE:
Height: 7.6 inches, 19cm.
Width: 4.1 inches, 10.25 cm.
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