A PAIR OF REGENCY "ANTIQUARIAN" SILVER-MOUNTED OAK WINE COASTERS

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CRURREN YEELLYL These four wine coasters are made from the ancient oak tree called "Crurren Yeellyl", otherwise known as the "spirits blasted tree". This celebrated tree was situated in the highest deer park in Wales on the estate of Sir Robert Williams Vaughan at Nannau, Merioneth, above Dolgelly in which Owen Glendower entombed Howel Sele in 1402. Howel Sele was a cousin of Owen Glendower and a supporter of the English Crown. Glendower was the inspiration and architect of the Welsh Rebellion. In 1402 Sele asked Owen to Nannan to persuade him to join him in his quest. They went hunting and when a stag was raised Howel Sele lifted his bow, but instead of shooting at the stag shot Owen, who was only saved because he was wearing a chain mail under his clothes. Owen then killed Howel and hid his body in a hollow tree, which was only discovered forty years later when the tree was hit by lightning. Ten years later when Owen himself was on his deathbed he sent his friend Madoc to tell Sele's widow the secret of the oak. In 1813 the Oak finally fell during a storm. From the fallen tree were wrought these fascinating "antiquarian" memorials in the form of coasters with silver roundels of the tree engraved on the centre of each one. A monument to Sele was built at Cymmer and there is a statue of Owen Glendower in the Marble Hall of Cardiff Town Hall.

A PAIR OF REGENCY "ANTIQUARIAN" SILVER-MOUNTED OAK WINE COASTERS

MARK OF THOMAS AND JAMES PHIPPS, LONDON, 1817

Details

A PAIR OF REGENCY "ANTIQUARIAN" SILVER-MOUNTED OAK WINE COASTERS
MARK OF THOMAS AND JAMES PHIPPS, LONDON, 1817
Circular, the rims applied with a gadrooned silver band, the turned wood base applied with a plaque engraved with a tree above the legend "Caebren yr Ellyll 1813", marked on edge with maker's mark, date letter, town mark and lion passant only
5 5/8 in. (14.4 cm.) diam.
The arms are those of Vaughan quartering another, for John Vaughan. (2)

Provenance

Commissioned by John Vaughan, Nannau, Meirioneth, Wales, and thence by descent until 2004

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve. No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

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