A GEORGE IV SILVER-GILT TANKARD FROM THE SUTTON SERVICE

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The Sutton Service Sir Richard Sutton, 2nd Bt. (1799-1855) succeeded to the baronetcy and his grandfather's extensive estates in Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Leicestershire and London in 1802 when he was only four years old. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. During his long minority his wealth increased considerably and upon attaining his majority in 1819 he immediately married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Burton of Burton Hall, co. Carlow. The present extensive service is likely to have been commissioned to celebrate the wedding. Sir Richard was a keen sportsman about whom it was said 'he never had an equal', and in addition was noted for his hospitality. Although asked to stand for parliament on a number of occasions he never entered politics, for which he was said to hold particular contempt. His chief interest was hunting at which he excelled. He had a liking for 'difficult' horses and first hunted with the Barton, becoming Master in 1822. He later hunted with the Cottesmore and then the Quorn from 1848, having bought Quorn Hall from the Oliver family. Although a passionate sportsman he also had a love for music and played the flute. He died in 1855 at his London residence, Cambridge House, 94 Piccadilly, and as a mark of respect the Quorn called off hunting for the day. His estates passed first to his eldest son John and then to his second son Richard, who was a keen yachtsman and challenged for the America's Cup in 1885. Sir Richard was an influential patron of the Royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. He commissioned numerous important works in silver from them, many of which were offered in the sale of his collection at Christie's, London, March 31, 1976. Other items from the Sutton collection were offered at Christie's, London, May 11, 1994, March 5, 1997 and July 5, 2000. In its scale and decorative quality this service is comparable to the service made by Paul Storr for the Duke of Norfolk, 1816-17, in the Lillian and Morrie Moss Collection. THE PROPERTY OF A EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTOR

A GEORGE IV SILVER-GILT TANKARD FROM THE SUTTON SERVICE

MARK OF PHILIP RUNDELL, LONDON, 1820, RETAILED BY RUNDELL, BRIDGE AND RUNDELL

Details

A GEORGE IV SILVER-GILT TANKARD FROM THE SUTTON SERVICE
MARK OF PHILIP RUNDELL, LONDON, 1820, RETAILED BY RUNDELL, BRIDGE AND RUNDELL
Cylindrical, with scrolling foliage frieze incorporating leopards and putti, the upper body cast and chased with a scene of the Triumph of Bacchus including Bacchus reclining on a chariot drawn by two horses and Persephone on a second chariot drawn by leopards, all on a matted ground, the hinged cover with a palmette thumbpiece and flower cast finial, with a leaf-capped scroll handle, the cover engraved with a coat-of-arms, marked near handle, in cover and on finial, the foot further stamped 'RUNDELL, BRIDGE ET RUNDELL AURIFICES REGIS LONDINI'
12¾ in. (23.3 cm.) high
130 oz. (4,043 gr.)
The arms are those of Sutton for Sir Richard Sutton, 2nd Bt. (1799-1855).

Provenance

Sir Richard Sutton 2nd Bt. (1798-1855) and thence by descent to
Sir Richard Vincent Sutton 5th Bt. (1853-1918).
The Trustees of the Late Sir R. V. Sutton, Bt.; Christie's, London, 31 March 1976, lot 125.
A New York Collector; Christie's, New York, 22-23 October 1984, lot 173.

Literature

Christie's Review of the Season, 1976, p. 218.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 20% on the buyer's premium.

Brought to you by

Tom Johans

tjohans@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 3026

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