CAPTIONS: The Death of Nelson, by Benjamin West, 1806 Courtesy of National Museums Liverpool Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Vice-Admiral of the Blue (1769-1839), by Richard Evans, 1834 Courtesy National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Greenwich Hospital Collection

AN IMPORTANT GEORGE III SILVER ROYAL PRESENTATION SOUP TUREEN AWARDED TO "NELSON'S HARDY"

MARK OF PAUL STORR, LONDON, 1805

Details

AN IMPORTANT GEORGE III SILVER ROYAL PRESENTATION SOUP TUREEN AWARDED TO "NELSON'S HARDY"
MARK OF PAUL STORR, LONDON, 1805
Circular on a pedestal foot, with two lion's-mask handles, engraved on one side with the Royal arms, motto, supporters, coronet and badge of HRH The Duke of Kent, and on the other with Commander Hardy's coat-of-arms and crest above a ribbon inscribed The Gift of His ROYAL Highness the Duke of Kent, the cover engraved on one side with Royal badge with insignia of the Order of St. Patrick, and on the other with the Hardy crest, the stand with scrolling foliate handles and engraved with the recipient's coat-of-arms and crest, in a fitted wood box, the stand with scratch weight 'Complete 269=1,' marked under stand, on tureen foot, cover, cover handle, and beaded moldings on stand and cover
13 in. (33 cm.) high, the stand 18¾ in. (47.5 cm.) long; 267 oz. (8,318 gr.)

Provenance

Vice Admiral Thomas Masterman Hardy, Bt., GCB (1769-1839);
bequeathed and divided among his three daughters, Louisa Georgina Hardy (d. 1876), Emily Georgina Hardy and Mary Charlotte MacGregor (1812-1896), wife of Sir John Atholl Bannatyne MacGregor (1810-1851), 3rd Bt. of MacGregor
The latter's third son, Sir Evan MacGregor (1842-1926), KCB, ISO
Eva Mary MacGregor (1885-1964)
Christie's, London, 21 May 1986, lot 152

Sale room notice

Please note this lot sold from Trafalgar Bicentenary: The Age of Nelson, Wellington and Napoleon, Christie's, London, 19 October 2005, lot 61.

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Lot Essay

Commander Thomas Masterman Hardy, RN (1769-1839) Admiral Lord Nelson's closest confidant, was the only officer of rank to have served at all of Nelson's naval victories against the French. As Captain of the Fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805), Hardy was standing beside Nelson when the Admiral was shot on the deck of HMS Victory, and, attending him below deck, received Nelson's legendary dying utterance, "Kiss me Hardy." Although scholars have questioned the validity of these famous words, the story speaks for the closeness of the two officers. Hardy served at sea until 1827, when he joined the Admiralty board as First Sea Lord, and became governor of the Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich in 1834.

This tureen was presented to Hardy by HRH the Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III, in recognition of his services as captain of the HMS Isis in 1802.

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