MARK OF CARDEN TERRY AND JANE WILLIAMS, DUBLIN, 1817, 20 CARAT

Details

A GEORGE III IRISH GOLD FREEDOM-BOX
Mark of Carden Terry and Jane Williams, Dublin, 1817, 20 carat
Rectangular with rounded corners, bright-cut with reeded and wrigglework borders, the hinged cover bright-cut with a border of thistles, roses, shamrocks, harps and royal crowns, the centre with the coat-of-arms for the city of Cork with motto STATIO BENE FIDA CARINIS within belted and radiating sunburst border, the base engraved with a presentation inscription, marked inside base, the marks including a 20 carat incuse mark and the rare plume of three feathers used by the Assay Office on this carat
2 7/8 in. (72 mm.) wide
4¼ oz. (123 gr.)
The inscription reads 'This box with an address of Congratulation on the arrival of His Excellency CHARLES, EARL TALBOT. As Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and his Freedom at Large, were presented by the Mayor, Sheriffs, & common Council of the City of Cork, as a respectful Tribute of the Estimation in which they hold his public Character, & private Virtues. 22nd October 1817. Thos Gibbings, Mayor, Thos W. Newsom, Saml Lane} Sheriffs, W. Jones, T. Clerk.'

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Carden Terry of Cork was apprenticed to the silver trade in 1758 and was awarded the freedom of the City of Cork in 1785. In 1795 he entered into partnership with his apprentice and son-in-law, John Williams (1771-1806). Williams died in 1806 and his wife, Jane, continued in business with Terry until his death in 1821. Jane held the distinction of being the only female Cork silversmith. Most Cork silver and gold was sent to Dublin for assay, hence the Dublin hall-mark. For further reading see D. Bennett, Irish Georgian Silver, London, 1972, pp.186-188.
The coat of arms for Cork depicts a medieval galleon sailing between two battlemented towers which are said to represent the King's and Queen's castles. These towers operated a portcullis gate that permitted ships to enter the walled town's dock. The motto STATIO BENE FIDA CARNINIS means 'A safe harbour for ships'.
For a biographical note and a further freedom box presented to Sir Charles Chetwynd, 2nd Earl Talbot, see lots 31 and 34.

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