Rider, Thomas and Bazing, William

Introduction:

RIDER and BAZING (fl 1793) was a short-lived London-based partnership between glassmaker and profilist Thomas Rider (dec. after 1793), and goldsmith and jeweller William Bazing (1762-1812). Though painting distictive and accomplished profiles - mainly on glass from 1784, Rider primarily promoted a broad range of engraved and enamelled glassware, and it's possible Bazing first became Rider's employee prior to becoming his trading partner, as within months of Rider's first recorded profile, Bazing would, in February 1785, complete his 7-year apprenticeship. While it appears unlikely Bazing painted any profiles, the enamelling and engraving of Rider's wares certainly required the skills of a goldsmith and jeweller, and current research revealed Bazing was both.

Their sole, insightful printed trade label giving the studio address as 408 Strand '...facing the Adelphi' promotes them the 'Inventors of Writing in real Gold Enamel on Glass'. Specimens could be referred to in London '...and most of the principal Towns in Great Britain, Ireland and on the Continent...for its Beauty of Design, Lustre, and Durability'. The '...elegant Art...[was]...peculiarly adapted for the Embellishment of Prints, Drawings, Portraits, Looking Glasses, Cabinets, Carriages, Public Halls, Assembly Rooms, Theatres, and for most occasions where rich and splendid Ornament is required'. Next offered were 'PROFILE LIKENESSES in Enamel on Chrystals equal in Effect to the finest Topaz...[while]...Artists could be immediately supplied with Miniature Glasses, plain or ornamented...'.

Considering the partnership's brief duration, it's perhaps unsuprising only 2 'Rider and Bazing' trade labelled profiles are recorded. One, painted on flat, and one on convex glass, are bust sized. Both are of the 'standard' height of 3 3/4" (9.5 cm), both are above the commonplace and are examples of Rider's often individualistic methods of presentation ( see Thomas Rider revision-Artists Index).

The 1st profile, painted on flat glass, is backed with plaster overlaid with gold leaf. Another, ca.1785, example is illustrated in McKechnie. Rider's trade labels advertised profiles '...on a Gold Ground in a manner entirely new', and though prevalent on the Continent, they were certainly a new offering for home consumption. However, the rarity of  such profiles and absence of professsional imitators suggests the style attracted little custom in Britain.

The 2nd profile housed in an oval giltwood frame, was finely painted on convex glass and backed with 'topaz' tinted gessoed glass. Rider was the sole London-based artist backing likenesses with gessoed glass, and only itinerant profilists Richard and Walter Jorden (fl.ca.1776-ca.1786), Mrs. Ames (fl.1785-1787) and Thomas Johnson (fl.ca.1788-ca.1792) of Harrogate, Yorks, applied the same decorative trait.

In addition, complementing the 2nd profile is a superbly crafted enamelled verre églomisé surround, McKechnie stating it was 'as well executed as any...[she had seen]...on the work of Mrs.Beetham', which is praise indeed. Between 1791-1793, Rider promoted himself the 'Inventor of Gold...[verre églomisé]...Borders on Convex glass'. The statement's veracity is unknowable, for, at the same time, Isabella Beetham (1754-1825) was presenting profiles on glass in the same manner. However, given that Rider offered artists 'an extensive variety...[of]...Miniature Glasses, plain or ornamented', it's possible the often complex designs of her 'ornamented glasses' were initially drawn up by her husband Edward Beetham (1743-1809) then, using them as a template, crafted by Bazing who was a 'time served' goldsmith.

While Rider's background remains largely obscure, recent research has established Bazing's personal circumstances. His grandfather 'yeoman' William Bazing #1 (dec.1762) and father William Bazing #2 (dec.1790) resided in the Berkshire village of East Hampstead, and records reveal William #2 later became a man of considerable enterprise. In 1757 he married Londoner Agnes Marshall (dec. 1800) at All Hallows by the Tower (of London). Between 1758-1771 she bore 8 offspring; 6 sons and 2 daughters. Six were born in Wokingham, Berkshire, while the baptisms of Marshall (1770-1831) and James (born 1771) were recorded in London.

According to his obituary in the BATH CHRONICLE 1st April 1790 William Bazing#2 ran the famous Bolt in Tun coaching inn on London's Fleet St. from 1773. In addition, from 1781, multiple directories record him a Thames-side timber trader at Narrow Wall, Lambeth dealing in ' English timber for the furniture and carriage trade'. Also recorded a timber merchant on becoming a Freemason in 1781, eldest son Thomas (1758-1794) would run the business after his father's death.

Second son William Bazing #3 (1762-1812), apprenticed to goldsmith John Barnes in February 1778, attained the Freedom of the City (by Servitude) in February 1785, becoming a member of the Goldsmiths' Livery Company. Appearing in HOLDEN's 1790 directory as 'Jeweller, Precious Metals' of Crane Court, Fleet St. and in 1790-1793 tax lists with an abode in West Hardinge St., both addresses are close by the Bolt in Tun inn and Thomas Rider's 1792 studio at 238 Strand.

Whether the nationwide economic slump of 1792-1793 terminated Rider and Bazing's association is unknown. However both Rider and the partnership disappear from record after 1793. and early in 1794 William Bazing would permanently lay aside his goldsmith's skills to manage the family timber business.

Leaving a widow and infant son Thomas Bazing died in January 1794. In THE READING MERCURY 10th November 1794 William and Marshall advertised succeeding '...their deceased father and brother...[to operate their timber business]...in all its Branches'.

Like Marshall and their sole surviving brother Richard (1768-1813), William Bazing never wed. His fulsome obituary appeared in the MORNING CHRONICLE, Friday 16th October 1812. 'Suddenly on Wednesday last, Mr Bazing, timber -merchant, Narrow- Wall, Lambeth - a man whose active benevolence and comprehensive mind, adorned with all the virtues of humanity, endeared him to his lamenting family and numerous friends'. He was interred, like many of his kin, at St. Michael and St. Mary, East Hampstead, Berkshire.

REVISED: 12 January 2026 (Brian Wellings)