A GEORGE IV SILVER VASE AND STAND, Emes & Barnard, London, 1821, retailed by Payne & Son, Bath

of Warwick vase form, the stem of four entwined dolphins below bulrushes and oak spray handles enriched with ribbon-tied laurel sprays, the stand engraved with a coat-of-arms, crest and two mottos between cast borders, engraved: 'PAYNE & SON BATH FEC^T'

The arms on the stand is the only engraving to have survived on this piece (the inscriptions, scenes having been erased); the feet on the base and the base (especially in one corner) is slightly bent; the cups has a few small scratches on the body commensurate with age, good heavy gauge, unusual pattern
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The arms are those of Parry for Sir William Edward Parry, RN (1790-1855), a son of Dr Caleb Hillier Parry (1755-1822) and his wife, Sarah (née Rigby), who was born in Bath and educated there at King Edward's School. He joined the navy at the age of 13 under Admiral Sir William Cornwallis, where he made rapid progress. He was only 28 when he was given command of the Alexander, a brig in Captain John Ross‘s Arctic expedition of 1818. A year later took command in a new Artic expedition with HMS Griper and HMS Hecla, from which he returned in November 1820. He published in 1821 the progress of this adventure in Journal of a Voyage to discover a North-west Passageand was feted in December that year by a group of leading Bath citizens by the presentation of the present vase and stand.

The following is a description of Captain Parry’s vase as it originally appeared, from The Morning Chronicle, London, Saturday, 22 December 1821, p. 4c

DESCRIPTION OF THE VASE TO BE PRESENTED TO CAPTAIN PARRY, IN PURSUANCE OF THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF BATH, HELD ON THE 26TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1821.

The form is that of the celebrated Warwick Vase, but divested of the Bacchanalian emblems, and decorated with others more appropriate to the nature of the service intended to be commemorated. The singularly bold and beautiful form of the handles is preserved; but the Vine, with its tendrils and clusters, is exchanged for the British Oak, with its foliage and actors, forming a rich wreath immediately under the lip of the vessel. On a projection of the handles is suspended the Laurel Wreath of Triumph.

The Masks and Tiger’s-skin of the original are entirely omitted, and the Bulrush is intermixed with the Lotus.

The Vase is supported by four Dolphins; and the Plinth is covered with shells and Coral, in imitation of a Sea-shore.

The Pedestal is much enriched; and the Olive Wreath is introduced, illustrative of the pacific nature of the enterprise. To avoid the heaviness resulting from a square form of the pedestal, it has been made octagonal, and on the four smaller sides are Trophies, composed of Nautical Scientific Instruments, and of those implements used especially in the icy seas. The Compass is introduced in the one, and the Globe in the other; each is surmounted by the British Naval Crown.

Two of the large sides of the pedestal [stand] contain chasings from Captain Parry’s original drawings; one representing the Hecla and Griper covered in for the winter; and the other, their situation in the neighbourhood of an Iceberg.

The third side contains Captain Parry’s Arms.

The fourth, the following inscription: - To WILLIAM EDWARD PARRY, Esquire, COMMANDER IN THE ROYAL NAVY, in commemoration of A Voyage of Discovery, performed in his Majesty’s ships Hecla and Griper, under his command, in the years 1819 and 1820; In which he effected a passage through Lancaster Sound into the Polar Sea; And having discovered many New Lands, And passed a Winter of Ten Month’s Duration, surrounded by Ice, in the Harbour of Melville Island, Returned to Great Britain with the Loss of only One Man; Thus carrying the British Flag into Seas over which no ship had yet passed; And displaying throughout this unprecedented Undertaking, a degree of Nautical Science, Intrepidity, Perserverance, and Humanity, which have reflected a lasting Honour on Himself, his Profession, and his country; THIS VASE Is presented by several Inhabitants of Bath, his native City. MDCCCXXI.

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For a description of the presentation of the vase in Captain Parry’s absence to his brother, Dr Charles Parry, at the Guildhall, Bath, on Wednesday, 23 January 1822, see The Bristol Mercury, Bristol, Saturday, 2 February 1822, p. 4b. Copies of the engraving published in 1821/22 of the vase as it originally appeared (showing both vignettes of the Hecla and the Griper as described above) are in the collections of the Bath Central Library and the Yale Center for British Art.