Lot 19
  • 19

THE TOWNSHEND ROYAL CHRISTENING GIFTS. TWO GEORGE I/GEORGE II GILDED SILVER TWO-HANDLED CUPS AND COVERS, THE FIRST, MATTHEW COOPER, LONDON, 1724, THE SECOND, UNMARKED, CIRCA 1757 |

Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • 34.2cm., 13 1/2 in. high
tapering form, each on a spreading circular foot chased with basket-weave borders, the bodies applied with masks and strapwork above and below the central moulded girdle, stylised angular scroll handles, the double-domed covers chased with foliate and gadrooned borders around a guilloche band enclosing rosettes below the vase-shaped finial, the cover and body each engraved with the Royal arms and another coat-of-arms one with the cadency mark for the eldest son, the other with the cadency mark of the second son, the first cup struck four times with maker's mark only The Royal Arms on the first cup are those of King George I and on the second cup for King George II The second arms on the first cup are those of Townshend for George Townshend, later 4th Viscount and 1st Marquess Townshend (1724-1807), eldest son of Charles, 3rd Viscount Townshend (1700-1764). The second arms on the second cup are for John Townshend (1757-1833), later Lord John Townshend, second son of George, 4th Viscount Townsend, later 1st Marquess Townshend (1724-1807) The inscription on the first cup reads 'This Cup Given by his Majesty King George First to his Godson George Townshend Son to Charles Lord Viscount Townshend Born at London February the 29th 1724' The inscription on the second cup reads 'This Cup Given to The Hon John Townshend Second Son to George Lord Viscount Townshend'

Provenance

The first cup: A christening gift from King George I to George Townshend, later 4th Viscount and 1st Marquess Townshend (1724-1807) and then by descent to                                    The Townshend Heirlooms, sold by order of the Marquis [sic] Townshend: Christie's London, 3 March 1904, lot 44 (£73 to Tessier)

The second cup:

A christening gift from King George II to John Townshend (1757-1833), later Lord John Townshend, second son of George, 1st Marquess Townshend and by descent to                                                                                                                     The Townshend Heirlooms, sold by order of the Marquis [sic] Townshend: Christie's London, 3 March 1904, lot 45 (£80 to Tessier)

Anonymous sale [Lady Townshend]: Christie's London, 9 June 1943, lot 75

Condition

The first cup stamped four times 'MC' to the underside, probably Matthew Cooper. The second struck three times to the underside and struck through/cancelled. They resemble ID possible for Fleurant David. Both duty dodgers but not in contravention of hallmarking law. Both are probably made circa 1725 with both family coat-of-arms added at the point of the second presentation. Probably gilded at this point also. Covers are unmarked. Gilding a nice colour throughout. Very nice gauge with covers fitting nicely to the bodies. Good overall.
"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 Townshend christening cups are from a select group of Royal christening cups and covers. In the early years of King George I's reign Royal christening gifts of plate could be all manner of forms. However, the cup and cover, sometimes accompanied by a stand or salver, became typical by the early 1720s. The form of these cups and covers follows in style the grand ambassadorial plate of the first years of King George I's reign as typified by the magnificent pair of cups, covers and stands, made by Phillip Rollos, Subordinate Goldsmith to the King, in 1713 for Baron Bingley's embassy to Madrid, which were returned to the Jewel House and subsequently became part of the Royal plate removed to Hanover by Ernst Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and King of Hanover (Houghton; Christie's London, 8 December 1994, lot 103). A cup and cover with an accompanying stand, which is almost identical to the present lot, is thought to have been presented to George Seymour, Viscount Beauchamp (1725-1745) by King George II and was exhibited London, Christie's, The Glory of the Goldsmith, Magnificent Gold and Silver from the Al-Tajir Collection, 1989, no. 65. Another survival is the cup and cover presented to Baron Edgecume's son George by King George I, which is illustrated in V. Brett, Sotheby's Directory of Silver 1600-1940, London, 1986, n. 694.