A GEORGE III SILVER TANKARD

MAKER'S MARK OF THOMAS WALLIS, LONDON, 1771

Details

A GEORGE III SILVER TANKARD
Maker's mark of Thomas Wallis, London, 1771
Baluster on molded circular base, one side engraved with the armorials of the Duke of Windsor, the multi-scroll handle engraved with initials WGA, the hinged molded domed cover with openwork thumbpiece, the base engraved FROM A FEW OLD FRIENDS 1919-1937, marked under base and cover
7in. (19.7cm.) high; 25oz. 10dwt. (798gr.)

Provenance

Sotheby's, London, December 14, 1989, lot 226
Sotheby's, New York, April 23, 1993, lot 481

This tankard was presented to the Duke of Windsor and Mrs. Simpson on the occasion of their marriage, which took place on June 3, 1937.

Lot Essay

When this tankard was sold at Sotheby's, London, December 14, 1989, this lot was accompanied by a two-page manuscript and a type-written note (now missing) listing the names of the "Old Friends" who had presented the newly-wedded Duke and Duchess of Windsor with this gift. Their names were:
Admiral Sir Lionel HalseyRMajor E.D. Metcalfe
Sir Geoffrey de Montmorency
Clive Burn Esq.
Sir Ulrick Alexander
Patrick Kingsley Esq.
Captain Douglas Greenacre
Wing Commdr. E.H. Fielden
Rear-Admiral Sir Dudley North
Sir Walter Monckton
Lieut-Colonel Hon. Piers Legh
Major H. McCormick
Lieut-Colonel C.O Harvey
Major Sir John Aird
Lieut-Colonel F.S. Poynder
Sir Godfrey Thomas, Bt.