Of rounded circular form upon a spreading circular foot, moulded rim, a double C scroll handle. Engraved to the handle with contemporaneous initials B over I * A. Marked to right of handle, lion passant to sinister (used 1721,1723-27), maker’s mark only to handle. Height – 12.4 cm / 4.85 inches Weight – 314 grams / 10.1 ozt Notes:Son of Joshua Ffrench of Tame Staiths, Durham, apprenticed to Robert Shrive, goldsmith, for seven years from 21st October 1695. Freedom of the company 29 June 1703. Became assay master from 13th September 1707 after the death of Francis Batty I, retired from the post I favour of Thomas Hewitson I from 23 September 1712. He appears to have a somewhat disagreeable nature with other silversmiths for on the 25 March 1712, the company “ordered Mr ffrench be fined for giving Mr Younghusband the lye twice”. In December 1718 “Johathan French (sic) and James Kirkup for misbehaving themselves & giving each other unbrotherly words fined each according to order 3s 4d”. Again for unbrotherly words and a “lye” on the 3rd May 1721. The company complained about French “(…) for that he had used and gone into several underhand dealings wth John Hewett a foreigner who trades in selling Plate in Gateshead & att Durham, and had of late committed several indirect practices in working up plate for the sd John Hewett to the great prejudice of this Company (…)” 16th Nov 1721. He took on five apprentices. Buried 18th Jan 1732.