A SET OF FOUR GEORGE III SILVER-GILT WINE-LABELS

MARK OF DIGBY SCOTT AND BENJAMIN SMITH, LONDON, 1806

Details

A SET OF FOUR GEORGE III SILVER-GILT WINE-LABELS
MARK OF DIGBY SCOTT AND BENJAMIN SMITH, LONDON, 1806
Each formed as openwork fruiting grapevines with a central drapery swag, pierced 'MADEIRA', 'HOCK', 'CHAMPAGNE' and 'PORT', the back engraved with initials 'EDC' below a coronet and 'EA Fs', marked on front, one marked with maker's mark only
3 1/8 in. (8 cm.) long; 6 oz. (200 gr.)
The initials EDC are those of Ernst Augustus, fifth son of George III, who was created Duke of Cumberland in 1799. The inscription EA Fs translates "Ernst Augustus Fidekommis", meaning the entailed property of the Duke of Cumberland. (4)

Provenance

Ernst Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, King of Hanover
by descent to Ernest Augustus Crown Prince of Hanover, 3rd Duke of Cumberland.
Possibly Crichton Brothers, circa 1923.
Sir Harold Wernher.
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, London, 21 October 1997, lot 185.

Lot Essay

Ernst Augustus (fifth son of George III) succeeded his brother William IV to the throne of Hanover in 1837, as under Salic Law Queen Victoria could not inherit the Kingdom.

A set of nine silver-gilt wine labels, also marked Digby Scott and Benjamin Smith in 1806, from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, sold Christie's, New York, 20 October 1999, lot 193.

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