THE Royal Silversmith Thomas Heming. An important George II Chinoiserie Chocolate Pot made in London in 1750 by Thomas Heming.

This exceptional piece is highly influenced by the designs of Paul De Lamerie.  The main body stands on a circular spreading foot which is chased with rural Chinoiserie garden scenes depicting trees and pagodas, drapery tents and obelisks.  These scenes are interspersed with double Rococo raying shells and the scenes and shells all display a lion mask detail above.  The main body is pear shaped in form and is chased with bold spiral and swirl flutes, as well as being inset with two cast Chinoiserie panels depicting, on one side, a Lady walking in a garden, with parasol, and with a pagoda to one side.  The reverse depicts a lady picking cacao beans in a garden, with a covered dwelling to her side.    Both panels have been executed to the finest standard.  The cast scroll spout has a detailed griffin's head terminal and half way down a detailed lion is depicted with his mouth open, which forms an oval cartouche engraved with a contemporary Crest.  The spout is decorated with trailing floral sprays where it is attached to the main body.  The scroll handle displays a very detailed boar's head socket at the top and a spray of berried leaves at the base, which is screwed in place.  The stepped, domed, cover is held in place with a chained hinged peg and is chased with shells and garden scenes, similar to the foot.  The flower spray finial can be removed so that a swizzle stick can be inserted to stir the chocolate inside.  This piece is in outstanding condition and is of the finest quality in terms of design and production.  The underside of the base displays a full set of hallmarks and the cover is marked with the maker's mark and sterling mark.  Although termed, and used, for serving chocolate, the use of these was interchangeable and they would have also been used for serving coffee.

Thomas Heming was principal Goldsmith to the King in 1760, an appointment which he held until 1782.  Some of his earliest surviving pieces in the Royal Collection show a French 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, 1770, at Belton House, Lincolnshire.

Height: 10.5 inches, 26.25 cm.

Length, handle to spout: 8 inches, 20 cm.

Diameter of the foot: 4.4 inches, 11 cm

Weight: 37oz.