A Charles Eley Silver-Gilt Tazza Centerpiece Bearing the Arms of Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings, London, 1825
Marks: (lion passant), (leopard's head), (duty mark), k, CE
11-3/8 inches high x 10-3/8 inches diameter (28.9 x 26.4 cm)
63.26 troy ounces

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE MINNESOTA COLLECTION

Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings (1754-1826) was a prominent Anglo-Irish British military officer and politician, who participated in some of the Great Britain's most historic military campaigns in the 18th century. Hastings joined the British Army in 1771 and was assigned as a Lieutenant in the 5th Regiment of Foot's Grenadier company upon his arrival to Boston, Massachusetts in 1774. Rawdon commanded the regiment at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and was wounded during the Army's second assault at Breed's Hill under the direction of General William Howe. Rowden would serve in several other major battles during the American Revolution including Fort Moultrie, Kip's Bay, White Plains, Monmouth, the Siege of Charleston, Camden, and was eventually promoted to the position of adjutant general. Upon conclusion of the American Revolution, Rawdon, as major general, launched an expedition into Ostend, France during 1794 while Britain was engaged in the French Revolutionary Wars. He was appointed the Governor-General of India in 1812 and decisive victories during the Anglo-Nepalese War and Third Anglo-Maratha War, eventually leading to the empire's acquisition of Singapore in 1819. Under George IV, Rowdon served as Governor of Malta from March 1824 until his death on November 28, 1826.

Rawdon had taken the surname "Hastings" in 1790 to comply with the will of his maternal uncle, Francis Hastings, 10th Earl of Huntingdon. He succeeded his father as the 2nd Earl of Moira in 1793 and subsequently served in the House of Lords until his death. Rawdon was raised to the rank of Marquess of Hastings in December of 1816, simultaneously attaining the subsidiary titles of Earl of Rawdon and Viscount Loudoun.

The tazza having ruffled rim with molded scrollwork, chased scrolled design to underside of bowl, middle standard with two muzzled bears grasping sticks, molded and applied Hastings crest to front and reverse below coronet, family motto TRUST WINNITH TROTH to banners below shields, tazza raised on scrolled feet.

Varying degrees of rubbing to gilding throughout, minor push to bowl at standard exhibiting halo, one shield with movement, with wear and surface scratches commensurate with age, polishing, and use.