.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Sir Thomas Hanmer (1677-1746) was Speaker of the House of Commons and known for his impartial approach to his duties. Hanmer's early political career began under the patronage of his wife's family when he stood for the Norfolk seat of Thetford in 1701. The death of his uncle also opened up the Flint seat to him and he stood for both in the next ten years. Hanmer's politics were strongly Tory and it is not surprising that he supported his Tory colleague William Bromley's nomination as Speaker in 1710. He succeeded Bromley as Speaker in 1714.
Hanmer received a quantity of plate from the Jewel House the year of his appointment, including a set of four candlesticks of the same model as the present lot, by Lewis Mettayer of 1714. Those candlesticks were engraved with Royal arms, crown and cyphers of Queen Anne and George I. Additional silver ordered by the Jewel House and issued to Speaker Hamner includes a pair of wine coolers and a sideboard dish, each by Mettayer of 1713, respectively now at Eton College and sold Christie's, 7 July 2011, lot 48.
Hanmer received a quantity of plate from the Jewel House the year of his appointment, including a set of four candlesticks of the same model as the present lot, by Lewis Mettayer of 1714. Those candlesticks were engraved with Royal arms, crown and cyphers of Queen Anne and George I. Additional silver ordered by the Jewel House and issued to Speaker Hamner includes a pair of wine coolers and a sideboard dish, each by Mettayer of 1713, respectively now at Eton College and sold Christie's, 7 July 2011, lot 48.