A GEORGE III SILVER CUP AND COVER

MARK OF CHARLES WRIGHT, LONDON, 1769

Details

A GEORGE III SILVER CUP AND COVER
MARK OF CHARLES WRIGHT, LONDON, 1769
Vase shaped and on spread foot chased with a band of fruiting grapevine and hops, the lower body chased with foliage below a fruiting grapevine band, with two similarly cast scroll handles heighted with grotesque masks, the detachable cover with a female figure holding and anchor, the inside set with the seal of the Court of Vice Admiralty Over All America, engraved under the base with initials 'WS' below a crest, marked near handle and on cover bezel
86 oz 13 dwt. (2,695 gr.)
The crest is that of Spry, for William Spry (d.1772) judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court for all America, appointed in 1764, later Governor of Barbados in 1767. He died in this post in 1772.

Provenance

William Spry (d.1772), judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court over all America, and then to his second wife Catherine Cholmeley (1739-1817) daughter of Robert Cholmeley (d.1754) of Barbados and then by descent of their daughter Wilhemina (d.1847) who married Sir William Earle Welby 2nd Bt. (1768-1852), Lincolnshire in 1792 and then by descent.

Brought to you by

Matilda Burn

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Lot Essay

British Vice Admiralty courts were established in overseas colonies and had jurisdiction over maritime disputes of a civil nature, and eventually to enforce the Trade and Navigation Acts. In America, the Vice Admiralty Court Act was one of the five laws included in the Townshend Acts of 1767. Together their purpose was to raise revenues in the colonies. These acts were a catalyst for the Boston Tea Party and ultimately the American Revolution.

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