MARK OF HESTER BATEMAN, LONDON, 1787

Details

A GEORGE III SILVER SOUP TUREEN AND COVER
MARK OF HESTER BATEMAN, LONDON, 1787
Boat-shaped and on spreading base with beaded border, with two reeded scroll handles, the detachable cover with beaded vase finial, the body engraved with two coats-of-arms within bright cut borders, the cover engraved with a presentation inscription, marked under base and on cover bezel
17¾ in. (45 cm.) wide
89 oz. (2,777 gr.)
The arms are those of the City of Cork and those of Harding, for Robert Harding.

The inscription reads 'In the Year MDCCXCVIII when the KINGDOM OF IRELAND was disgraced by a REBELLION, exceeding in Cruelty Barbarity and Ingratitude, every other on record, it was the providential good Fortune of the CITY OF CORK to have the important Office of SHERIFF filled by ROBERT HARDING, ESQR, who actuated by LOYALTY and regardless of Danger (tho he well knew his Assassination was a primary Object of the Disaffected) by unremitting Vigilence & Activity in the discharge of the several Duties of his Station was, under HEAVEN, a chief Instrument in preserving that CITY from the Calamities which desolated so many other Parts of the REALM, therefore, the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Commonalty of the CITY OF CORK have presented him with this Piece of Plate and as a small Memorial of their gratefull Sense of his Merit'

Provenance

Presented to Robert Harding, Sheriff of Cork, following the 1798 Irish Rebellion
A Gentleman; Christie's London, 23 June 1971, lot 100

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The Irish Rebellion of 1798, which lasted several months, was the culmination of thwarted plans and uprisings conducted by The Society of United Irishmen founded in 1791 and the Catholic resistance group known as the Defenders. They had sought help from Britain's then enemy France as early as 1796 in an attempt to bring about democratic reform and Catholic emancipation. In December of 1796 a force of 15,000 French troops arrived off the coast at Bantry Bay, but storms prevented their landing. By 1798 the Order had been heavily infiltrated by government informers and a round up of their leaders, including Lord Edward Fitzgerald took place in May of that year. This forced the hand of the Society and the rebellion was launched without French assistance. Heavy military presence in Dublin prevented any action there, but a number of uprisings took place in the surrounding counties. The rebellion spread but strong military reinforcements kept the rebels in check. Even the arrival of two French forces, on 8 September and 12 October were not enough to maintain the momentum. By the end of the year all but a number of small guerilla groups had been crushed.

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