Anne Tanqueray

Anne Tanqueray was born in 1691 to David Willaume I, a prominent Huguenot silversmith, who had come to London from France in 1685.[1]

Tanqueray's husband established a workshop, and it is likely that Tanqueray created items bearing her husband's mark.[1] Upon her husband's death, after 1724, she took over his business and she entered two marks (Sterling and New Standard) in the register at Goldsmiths' Hall.[2] Her marks appeared alongside her husband's original 1713 mark, with his name being struck through and hers written above, as opposed to a new entry, which was custom for a widow.[3] This appears to be the only instance in which this happened.

As a female silversmith in the 18th century, Tanqueray would have had the opportunity to produce her own work and oversee skilled journeymen.[1] Tanqueray's workshop was noted for its high level of excellence and in 1729 it became Subordinate Goldsmith to the King.[1]

In 1717, she married David Tanqueray, her father's apprentice; they had two sons.[2]

Tanqueray died in 1733 and was buried in Tingrith on 25 July that year.[3]

Examples of Tanqueray's work can be found at Temple Newsam, Huguenot Museum in Rochester, Kent, Victoria and Albert Museum, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, Welbeck Abbey, and the Clark Art Institute collections.

• Examples of Tanqueray's work on Bonhams website
• Example of work in the National Museum of Wales
• Example of work at the Clark Art Institute
• Four salt-cellars by Anne Tanqueray available to view at Welbeck Abbey