George IV Antique Silver Soup Tureen, England, 1829

Object Description

An outstanding antique silver tureen with matching domed cover. Large and impressive; excellent size for serving soup, casseroles and vegetables. Fantastic weight and very fine quality. The oval bellied shape is applied with stunning cast silver handles and oak and acorn foliate shaped feet; the lid handle is cast in the form of a lion rampant. Hand engraved armorials to the front and reverse of the body and lid for the Honorable East India Company and the Bosanquet family. Heavy gauge silver. Good colour.

Weight 4,735g, 1522.2 troy oz.
Spread across handles 43cm. Height 26cm (total, 23cm (top of handle).
London 1829.
Maker Thomas Wimbush.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped on the front of the body and on the edge of the lid with a full set of English silver hallmarks. All matching.

Armorials. The first armorial is for the East India Company, granted in 1696, and engraved ‘Presented by the Honorable East India Company’, the second armorial is for the Bosanquet family

The Bosanquet family were Huguenot descendants of David du Mont de Bosanquet (1661-1732) born Lunel Languedoc-Roussillion, France, who fled to London in 1698, where he married Elizabeth Hays (1676-1737). The family were merchants and financiers and established themselves in England, with Richard Bosanquet (1735-1809) becoming a director of the East India Company and Samuel Bosanquet (1744-1806) becoming the Governor of the Bank of England. The armorial for the Bosanquet family has blazon, and the engraving shows the Bosanquet arms as a quarterly, ensuring that the Bosanquet family member who owned the arms was a descendant of Samuel Bosanquet (1700-1765) and Mary Dunster (1712-1765).

Maker: Thomas Wimbush

Thomas Wimbush, London silversmith, no record of apprenticeship or freedom. 1st mark entered as plateworker 1828. 2nd mark in partnership with Henry Hyde 1834. The Post Office directory of 1834 records Wimbush as Manufacturing Gold & Silversmith to the King, and a coffee pot, bearing his mark 1829 is engraved with the cypher of George IV. Information courtesy of Grimwade.

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Object History

Sale, Sotheby’s, 20th November 1986, lot 231.

Object Literature

Antique Silver Tureens with side carrying handles were introduced during the reign of George II. The lid /cover helped to keep the contents warm. They are generally oval shaped, although they can be round or rectangular. Some have detachable liners and/or matching stands.

Object Condition

This stunning tureen is in very good condition. The engravings are sharp. The lid fits well. All fully matching and functional. Minor signs of wear compatible with age.

Object Details