DUBLIN, CIRCA 1767

Details

A George III Irish presentation trowel
Dublin, circa 1767
Rounded triangular with canted ends, the front engraved with two coats-of-arms with supporters and mottos, the reverse with a presentation inscription, the turned ivory handle with silver mount with gadrooned borders, marked on reverse
14½in. (36.8cm.) long
The arms are those of the Corporation of Bricklayers and Plaisterers and those of William, Marquess of Kildare (1749-1804), later 2nd Duke of Leinster. The inscription reads, This....... enclosing the Freedom of the CORPORATION of Bricklayers and Plasterers Dublin Is presented to the Most Noble WILLIAM Marquess of KILDARE; In Testimony of the Esteem they have for his many Amiable and Rising Virtues. Unaminously given at our Hall, the 13th Day of October 1767, being Quarter Day. John Pursell Master. Benj.n Pemberton Cha.s Annesley} Wardens

Provenance

Presented to William, Marquess of Kildare (1749-1804), later 2nd Duke of Leinster (1749-1804) and thence by descent to
Gerald, 8th Duke of Leinster
The Duke of Leinster; Sotheby's London, 3 May 1984, lot 13 (with freedom paper)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

William, Marquess of Kildare, later 2nd Duke of Leinster (1749-1804) took the courtesy title Marquess of Kildare when his father was created Duke of Leinster in 1766. In 1769 he was elected to the Irish House of Commons for both the county of Kildare and City of Dublin. He chose to represent Dublin, and in 1772 served as High Sheriff of Kildare. Soon after succeeding to the dukedom on 19 November 1773 he married Emilia Olivia, daughter of St George Usher St George, Baron St George of Hatley St George. In 1783 when the Order of St Patrick was founded for the Irish nobility in imitation of the Scottish Order of the Thistle, he was created first knight. He died at Carton on 20th October, 1804 and was buried in Kildare Abbey.

The present trowel forms part of an important group of silver and gold articles engraved and presented to William, to his father James Fitzgerald, 1st Duke of Leinster (1722-1773) and to his son Augustus Frederick (1791-1874), which were originally sold at Sotheby's in 1984. Six important Irish gold freedom-boxes and a pair of Irish gold thimbles from this group were sold at Christie's in November 2001.

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