Lot Essay
The arms are those of Sutton, for Richard Sutton, 2nd baronet. He succeeded to the baronetcy and inherited his grandfather's extensive landholdings at age four in 1802. His ancestors had been landowners in Nottinghamshire since the 13th century, and by the 18th century the family had acquired further properties in Norfolk, Leicestershire, and London. These estates generated immense income for the young Sir Richard, who married immediately on attaining his majority in 1819. Befitting the marriage of one of the richest men in England, Rundell's supplied him with a vast dinner service, consisting of 3,000 ounces in silver objects, and 1,200 ounces in silver-gilt, all marked by Philip Rundell in 1819 and 1820. A pair of candelabra from the Sutton Service was sold Christie's, London, 5 July 2000, lot 4; most of the rest of the Sutton dinner service is illustrated in The Glory of the Goldsmith: Magnificent Gold and Silver from the Al-Tajir Collection, 1989, pp. 190-191.
Sir Richard devoted his life to sport and music. His chief interest was hunting, and he had a liking for difficult horses. Although asked to stand for parliament a number of times, he disliked politics and steadfastly refused. His estates descended to his second son Richard, a keen yachtsman who challenged for the America's Cup in 1885.
Caption:
Portrait of Sir Richard Sutton, 2nd Bt. (1798-1855), by John Dalby, Christie's Images
Sir Richard devoted his life to sport and music. His chief interest was hunting, and he had a liking for difficult horses. Although asked to stand for parliament a number of times, he disliked politics and steadfastly refused. His estates descended to his second son Richard, a keen yachtsman who challenged for the America's Cup in 1885.
Caption:
Portrait of Sir Richard Sutton, 2nd Bt. (1798-1855), by John Dalby, Christie's Images