From a private collection of early naval silver

A VERY RARE CHARLES II PRESENTATION NAVAL SILVER TANKARD

maker’s mark probably of Francis Singleton, London, 1672; plain tapering cylindrical, with scroll handle and flat cover with double-scroll thumb-piece, the front engraved THE OWNERS OF THE ANE FRIGATE GIFT 1672, marked on cover, rim and handle, overall height -- 6in. (17.5cm.)

Probably the gift of Henry Johnson (c.1623-83), Matthew Andrews (c.1630-1711) and William Wood (1611-78) to Captain Zachary Browne (c.1621-1693), commander of the Ane frigate.

Ane (sometimes Anne or Great Anne) was a 34 gun-armed frigate constructed at Henry Johnson’s Blackwall yard in 1669. In addition to Henry Johnson (c.1623-83), the ship was owned by nabob Matthew Andrews (c.1630-1711) and naval contractor William Wood (1611-78). As a senior naval administrator, Samuel Pepys had frequent dealings with all three men but, whilst Johnson was a great friend and dining companion, the diarist had a low opinion of Wood’s ‘knavery’, with frequent clashes between the two men over government contracts.

Chartered upon completion by the East India Company, the ship returned to England from Bantam in April 1672 laden with company and private goods, such as pepper, spices, textiles and jewels.

There was a tradition within the East India Company of rewarding faithful service with a silver tankard, generally to a value of £10. The company’s minutes show several such awards to captains of returning Indiamen in 1672 ‘who have done the Company service’. This tankard was likely a similar gift from the owners of Ane to their commander Captain Zachary Browne who had safely returned from the east with their valuable goods. Browne may not have received a company tankard as he had recently been reprimanded for accepting a shipment of white pepper in lieu of a personal debt, the private trade in pepper being prohibited by the Company. He also faced a hearing in front of the Company’s Shipping Committee for an unknown misdemeanour.

Browne was a highly experienced, if discredited former naval officer, who had seen action at the Battle of Dungeness in 1652 when, as master of the armed merchantman Hercules, he had run his ship aground and been captured by the Dutch. Dismissed from the Commonwealth Navy for incompetence, he was restored to rank under Charles II. Given command of Assistance, 40 guns, he was then present at the Four Days Battle in June 1666, and the ensuing St James’s Day Battle.

In January 1673, Ane was chartered to join a fleet of ten armed East Indiamen in carrying cargo valued at £183,000 to Madras and Surat, under convoy of a squadron of six Royal Navy ships commanded by Captain Richard Munden. With Britain again at war with the Dutch, the commanders of the merchant ships, including Captain Browne, were given commissions by the Lord High Admiral, the Duke of York, to engage the enemy whenever possible and to act ‘as becomes persons in such commands and trusts’. During the voyage, Munden led his squadron, observed by the East Indiamen, in the re-capture of St Helena from the Dutch.

Condition Report

Excellent overall clean condition, crisp engraving, lovely colour, minor bruise on handle.

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.