- 378
A jewelled 'Society of Bucks' brooch, circa 1765-1770
Estimate
600 - 800 GBP
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Description
- A jewelled 'Society of Bucks' brooch, circa 1765-1770
- ivory, paste, silver
- 8.3cm., 3 1/4 in diameter
the ivory miniature painted with a stag below the inscription 'Honor's The Reward of Virtue', in a white paste and silver frame in the form of a star
Literature
Colin Wyman, 'The Society of Bucks', English Ceramics Circle, Transactions, Volume 10, Part 4 and 5, 1980, pp. 293-303
Condition
miniature cracked and moulded,, some losses to paint.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The Society of Bucks was long thought to be a short-lived secret society, based exclusively in Liverpool, dating from the 1750s until the 1770s. The discovery of a book printed in 1770 in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and a paper, published in 1890, entitled 'A forgotten rival of Masonry: the noble order of Bucks’, as well as several mentions in newspapers, revealed that it was founded as early as 1723. By 1752-1753, the Society had about 19 lodges across the country, as well as one in Bombay. It seems to have declined in the 1770s but some lodges were still extant in the 1820s.
The Society was akin to Freemasonry, founded upon mysterious and secret principles, claiming to follow Nimrod, a great hunter who had established his rule over Assyria by the mean of councils. The purpose of the Society has still not been fully discovered but their main endeavour seemed to promote ‘good fellowship, freedom of conversation, innocent mirth, and every social virtue as a good companion’. They also considered Nimrod as synonymous with Bacchus for he invented the making of wine. On that account, one of their mottoes was 'Be Merry and Wise’ but some criticised their drunken behaviour, as in this verse: 'They sang and they drank till their godships were hoarse / and they drank to the Grand and his Council of course / they hicuppped and reeled and solemnly swore / Since Bucks were so blessed / They'd to heaven no more'.
In addition to brooches such as the present lot, there are other examples of transfer-printed ceramics and enamels decorated with the arms of the Society of Bucks.
The Society was akin to Freemasonry, founded upon mysterious and secret principles, claiming to follow Nimrod, a great hunter who had established his rule over Assyria by the mean of councils. The purpose of the Society has still not been fully discovered but their main endeavour seemed to promote ‘good fellowship, freedom of conversation, innocent mirth, and every social virtue as a good companion’. They also considered Nimrod as synonymous with Bacchus for he invented the making of wine. On that account, one of their mottoes was 'Be Merry and Wise’ but some criticised their drunken behaviour, as in this verse: 'They sang and they drank till their godships were hoarse / and they drank to the Grand and his Council of course / they hicuppped and reeled and solemnly swore / Since Bucks were so blessed / They'd to heaven no more'.
In addition to brooches such as the present lot, there are other examples of transfer-printed ceramics and enamels decorated with the arms of the Society of Bucks.