Lot 99
A rare William II (III of England) tazza
Auction: 16 August 2011 at 12:00 BST
Description
John Yourston, Edinburgh 1698, Assay Master James Penman, the flat circular plate with domed gadrooned semi spiralled edge with alternating thick and thin bands, raised on flared trumpet foot with domed spreading foot rim, the underside of the plate with engraved initial B
Dimensions
22.5cm diameter of plate, 9.8cm diameter of foot, 11.5oz
Footnote
Note: This appears to be one of the earliest recorded tazzas available to private hands. The three earliest recorded examples (1665, 1670 by Alexander Scott, 1669 - 1671 by William Law and 1675 - 1677 by James Penman) are all within the collection of the National Museums of Scotland.
John Yorstoun first appears within the records of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh as apprentice to his father George Yorstoun on 25th January 1688. After his apprenticeship he was set on 16th August 1697 his essay of 'ane tanker and any plain gold woulp to be made and wrought in his latt master George Youstouns shope'. After completing this task to the required standard he was admitted a Freeman of the Incorporation on 16th October 1697.
Provenance:
The Phoenix Collection
Sotheby's 30th - 31st August 1993 lot 151
References:
'Compendium of Scottish Silver II' R & J Dietert, illustrated plate 54, listed page 488