CIRCA 1779

細節

A GEORGE III SILVER-MOUNTED COCONUT CUP OF HISTORICAL INTEREST
CIRCA 1779
Set on a circular silver pedestal foot with beaded border and stem, the coconut carved with rosettes, silver cup lining, the silver neck mount with presentation inscription, apparently unmarked
7¾ in. (19.7 cm.) high

刻印

Inscription:
Presented to Sir Richard Pearson Lieut Governor of Greenwich Hospital in testimony of his gallant action in the Serapis with the Bon-homme Richard commanded by Paul Jones 1779.

拍品專文

Although he served as a lieutenant in the East Indies during the Seven Years' War, and became Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital in 1800, Sir Richard Pearson (1731-1806) is best known for his famous surrender of the Serapis in 1779.

Pearson was escorting a large convoy from the Baltic on the Serapis, when he was attacked off Flamborough Head by the Bonhomme Richard under the command of American naval hero John Paul Jones. Even though Pearson surrendered to Jones, he only did so after the valuable convoy had already safely escaped. Due to this valiant action, he was considered a hero, was knighted, and received gifts from the merchants and the freedoms of several towns.