Details
A George III lidded tankard
of tapering circular form, on a flaring foot and with a moulded body band and rim, scroll handle with heart-shaped terminal and domed hinged cover with openwork trefoil thumb piece and later skull and crossbones finial, later-engraved overall with scrolling foliage and with interesting presentation inscription:"Presented to William Worts Esqr. Surgeon, Colchester, by his Friend Willm. Caldecott of Frating Lodge, Essex, as a tribute to Private & Professional worth and Friendship amidst the Treachery & Ingratitude of many professing Friends and as an acknowledgement of disinterested Services conferred on Mr. Caldecotts dear child Hester Susan, March 15. 1852", Langlands & Robertson, Newcastle 1791, the finial bearing Victorian hallmarks - 8¾in. (22.75cm.), 28oz.
See Plate 7
of tapering circular form, on a flaring foot and with a moulded body band and rim, scroll handle with heart-shaped terminal and domed hinged cover with openwork trefoil thumb piece and later skull and crossbones finial, later-engraved overall with scrolling foliage and with interesting presentation inscription:"Presented to William Worts Esqr. Surgeon, Colchester, by his Friend Willm. Caldecott of Frating Lodge, Essex, as a tribute to Private & Professional worth and Friendship amidst the Treachery & Ingratitude of many professing Friends and as an acknowledgement of disinterested Services conferred on Mr. Caldecotts dear child Hester Susan, March 15. 1852", Langlands & Robertson, Newcastle 1791, the finial bearing Victorian hallmarks - 8¾in. (22.75cm.), 28oz.
See Plate 7
Further details
Doctor William Worts was the great great great grandfather of the vendor of this piece. He lived at Fordham, a village near Colchester in Essex, where he was a country Physician and Surgeon. He actually qualified at Guys Hospital, London, as did no fewer than thirteen of his family successors including the vendor. The unusual momento mori finial points to the fact that William Worts was ultimately unsuccessful in curing Hester Susan Caldicott. In fact, according to family tradition, the child tradically died at the age of six.