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THE COPE AND CALTHORPE CUP AND DISH A GEORGE II SILVER-GILT CUP, COVER AND DISH

MARK OF JOHN SWIFT, LONDON, 1738

Details
A GEORGE II SILVER-GILT CUP, COVER AND DISH
MARK OF JOHN SWIFT, LONDON, 1738
The baluster cup on a circular spreading foot chased with scrolling leaves on matted ground, applied on the lower part with stylised textured foliate lambrequins under a ribbon-tied reed band, the body applied with two rococo cartouches each engraved with a different coat-of-arms, the two harp-shaped handles cast with bearded masks, the terminals formed of a rococo shell, the domed cover applied with similar matted foliage and rocaille, with ribbon-tied reeded rim, the shaped circular basin with dense matte foliage and scrolls border, the field engraved with two coats-of-arms within rococo cartouches, and a motto, fully marked under cup base, on cover bezel, underside of basin, and maker's mark only under rim of basin
the basin 19 ³/₄ in. (50.2 cm.) diameter; the cup and cover 14 in. (35.5 cm.) high
207 oz.14 dwt. (6,461gr.)
The arms are those of Cope and of Calthorpe. The motto Rerum Tutela Mearum engraved on the stand translates as "The protection of my objects", suggesting that this substantial amount of silver was a gift from one man to the other. Both Sir John Cope, 6th Bt. (1673-1749) of Bramshill, Hampshire and Henry Calthorpe (c.1717-1788) of Elvetham, Hampshire were members of Parliament, athough they served subsequent years, and this richly chased cup and stand may commemorate an important event between them or members of their family.
Provenance
The property of the Sligo Settled Estates sold on the instructions of the Earl of Altamont; Sotheby's, June 13, 1983, lot 56.
Collection Al Tajir; Christie's, New York, 19 April 2002, lot 402.
Sotheby's, Paris, 14 June 2022, lot 30.
Literature
The Glory of the Goldsmith: Magnificent Gold and Silver From the Al-Tajir Collection, 1989, no. 76, p. 107
Exhibition
'The Glory of the Goldsmith: Magnificent Gold and Silver from the Al-Tajir Collection', Christie's, London, 1989, no. 76.

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Lot Essay

The motto Rerum Tutela Mearum, engraved on the base, translates to "The protection of my possessions," suggesting that this significant silver piece was a precious gift. The engraved coats of arms belong to the Cope and Calthorpe families.
Sir John Cope, 6th Baronet (1673-1749) of Bramshill, Hampshire, was married only once, in 1696, to Alice, daughter of Sir Humphrey Monoux, 2nd Baronet of Wootton, Bedfordshire.
The exact relationship between Sir John Cope and the Calthorpe family remains unknown, aside from the fact that both resided in Hampshire. However, both Sir John Cope and Sir Henry Calthorpe (c.1717-1788) of Elvethames were admitted as Knights of the Bath on October 20, 1744.

This cup and basin may have been given in connection with Sir Henry Calthorpe’s will (National Archives, Kew, PROB 11/1165), signed on February 27, 1741, in which he named Monoux Cope, the son of Sir John Cope, as one of his executors. Monoux Cope inherited the title of 7th Baronet upon his father’s death in 1749 but passed away before Calthorpe in 1763. Sir Henry Calthorpe died without an heir, and his estate was inherited by his nephew, Sir Henry Gough, Baronet.
Clearly, these two men were acquainted, though the precise nature of their relationship remains unclear. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Henry Calthorpe was declared insane in 1747 and remained in this condition until his death in 1788.