MARK OF JOHN ISRAEL, LONDON, 1790

Details

A GEORGE III SILVER TEA-URN
MARK OF JOHN ISRAEL, LONDON, 1790
Tapering vase shape and on a gadrooned base with fluted feet, the lower body with part fluting with two scrolling reeded handles with openwork leaf terminals and with a fluted spigot with a green-stained ivory tap, the detachable cover part-fluted and with a fruiting finial, the inside fitted with a detachable chimney and a collar, engraved on the front with the Royal arms within drapery mantling, the back engraved with an inscription within a leaf and flower cartouche, marked underneath, the cover, spigot and collar also marked, the chimney apparently unmarked
20¼ in. (51.5 cm.) high
gross weight 131 oz. (4,080 gr.)
The Royal arms are those of Prince Henry William, 1st Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1743-1805)

The inscription reads 'Dedit Celsissimus Princeps Gulielmus Henricus Dusc Gloucestrice ob Filium Ab Academia Auspicatissime Jam Discessurum' and 'Gul Lort Mansel Academi Cantal Orat:Pub July 6th A.D. 1790', which loosely translates as 'Presented by the Duke of Gloucester to William Mansel, Public Orator of the University of Cambridge, on the departure from the University of his son, Prince William, 1790'.

Provenance

Presented by Prince William Henry, 1st Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh to William Mansel (1753-1820), Bishop of Bristol and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge
Anonymous sale, [Balfour Ogilvy]; Christie's London, 28 May 1951, lot 173 (£88 to Paxton).

Special notice

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Sale room notice

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Lot Essay

William Mansel was born in Pembrokeshire in 1753. He was educated at Gloucester Grammer School and entered Trinity College, Cambridge in 1770. He was elected a fellow in 1777 and ordained in 1780 when he was appointed to the college living of Chesterton. He was a fine orator and often preached in the college. He was also fond of mocking his fellow academics using his fine wit and skill at mimicry. In politics he was a supporter of William Pitt. Mansel's former pupil, Spencer Perceval (1762-1812), later Prime-Minister, suggested Mansel to Pitt as Master of Trinity. It was Perceval, as chancellor of the exchequer, who put Mansel forward as a candidate for the bishopric of Bristol. Mansel died at the Master's Lodge of Trinity College in 1820 and was buried in the chapel.

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