Details
A George III two-handled cup
on a beaded rising square base, the two fluted scroll handles with foliate terminals, one side engraved with a three-masted sailing ship with presentation inscription: "A Gift from the Owners of the Ship Bellona to Capt. Isaac Barrass 1781', the other side engraved with an elaborate foliate monogram, an armorial and crest beneath, maker's initials W.B. with a pellet between, London 1780 - 11in. (28cm.), 30oz.
See Plate 9
on a beaded rising square base, the two fluted scroll handles with foliate terminals, one side engraved with a three-masted sailing ship with presentation inscription: "A Gift from the Owners of the Ship Bellona to Capt. Isaac Barrass 1781', the other side engraved with an elaborate foliate monogram, an armorial and crest beneath, maker's initials W.B. with a pellet between, London 1780 - 11in. (28cm.), 30oz.
See Plate 9
Further details
The Bellona was a single-deck ship with beams and carried twelve four pounder guns. Built in Whitehaven in 1776, she sailed between London and Tobago with a load of 200 tons. Isaac Barrass was captain for owners Captain and Company, but in 1780 he purchased the vessel, appointing H. Braithwaite as new captain. We can therefore speculate that the cup was a retirement gift to Captain Barrass from the grateful owners, although it has been suggested that the Bellona may have been a privateer, and the cup could have formed part of the reward allocated to the successful captain.
We are grateful to Barbara Thomlinson of The National Maritime Museum for the above information.
We are grateful to Barbara Thomlinson of The National Maritime Museum for the above information.