MAKER'S MARK OF BENJAMIN SMITH, LONDON, 1819, THE FINIAL BY JOHN S. HUNT, LONDON, CIRCA 1848

Details

A George III silver-gilt racing trophy
maker's mark of Benjamin Smith, London, 1819, the finial by John S. Hunt, London, circa 1848
Campana shaped and with spreading circular foot, chased with a band of acanthus foliage on a matted ground, the lower part of the body applied with acanthus foliage and berried husks and with two reeded bracket handles, applied beneath the egg-and-dart rim with vitruvian scrolls and rosettes on a matted ground, and with two berried laurel-leaf cartouches, one enclosing a racing scene, the other with presentation inscription, the partly-fluted cover with detachable horse finial, marked on body, cover and finial
16in. (41.6cm.) high
112ozs. (3,510grs.)

Provenance

Captain Richard Airey, later Baron Airey G.C.B (1803-1881)
Thence by descent

Lot Essay

Sir Richard Airey G.C.B., entered the army in 1821. He served in the Crimean War as acting quartermaster general and fought in the battles of Alma, Balaklava and Inkermann. He was also present at the siege and fall of Sebastopol. He was also governor and commander-in-chief in Gibralter from 1865 to 1870 and adjutant-general of the forces 1870-1875. He was created Baron Airey of Killingworth, Co. Northumberland in 1876. However, both his sons pre-deceased him and the Barony became extinct on his death in 1881.

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