A large Victorian silver-gilt ewer, C. T. & G. Fox, London, 1845, probably retailed by Lambert & Rawlings of Coventry Street

in Baroque style, richly chased bauster body rising to a shell-shaped lip and demi-lion handle

Ross S. Sterling (1875-1949), Governor of Texas, 1931-33, founder of Humble Oil and Refining Co.; bequeathed to his daughter,
Mildred Sterling who in 1925 married the architect, Wyatt C. Hedrick (1888-1964), and thence to their daughter,
Jean Hedrick Darden (d. 2012)

Marks and overall condition good; the body leans a little, probably because the stem is a little bent, the cartouche probably with erasure, gilding rubbed at high spots and probably later, large impressive size.
"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 Ross Sterling Mansion, popularly known as the Texas White House, was completed in 1927 for Ross Sterling (1875-1949), founder of the Humble Oil and Refining Company (acquired by Standard Oil of New Jersey, 1959, merged in 1973 with Exxon, now ExxonMobil), who became Governor of Texas between 1931 and 1933. Built at Morgan’s Point overlooking Galveston Bay, near La Porte, its design was devised by the noted Texan architect Alfred Charles Finn (1833-1964) who based his plans, at the behest of Ross Sterling, on the White House, Washington, D.C. On a scale of two-fifths the size of the original, the 21,000 square foot mansion had 15 bathrooms, seven fireplaces and three kitchens, as well as a ballroom, billiards room, bowling alley and a dining room large enough to seat 300 people. The Sterling family eventually gave the Sterling Mansion to charity in 1946, and its present owner is Preserved in Time Inc., a local non-profit organization dedicated to education and historic preservation.