Ellis Finch
Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department
Lot 29
NAVAL INTEREST: A George III silver-gilt two-handled cup and cover, by Paul Storr, London 1812, the rim stamped 'RUNDELL BRIDGE ET RUNDELL AURIFICES REGIS ET PRINCIPIS WALLIAE REGENTIS BRITANNIAE LONDINI', incuse stamped number on lid and base: 710
Amended
5 April 2017, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £42,500 inc. premium
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NAVAL INTEREST: A George III silver-gilt two-handled cup and cover,
by Paul Storr, London 1812, the rim stamped 'RUNDELL BRIDGE ET RUNDELL AURIFICES REGIS ET PRINCIPIS WALLIAE REGENTIS BRITANNIAE LONDINI', incuse stamped number on lid and base: 710
Campana form, the cover with acanthus, shell and anthemion gadroon rim, rising to the centre with a gadroon band centred with a Royal Naval Coronet badge, the body with a flared gadroon band, below the engraved inscription a lotus and anthemion band over a frosted ground, the lower gadroon body with leaf-capped fluted handles issuing from satyr masks, raised on a circular pedestal foot, contained in the original fitted wood box, with paper label, height 36.5cm, weight 102oz.
Campana form, the cover with acanthus, shell and anthemion gadroon rim, rising to the centre with a gadroon band centred with a Royal Naval Coronet badge, the body with a flared gadroon band, below the engraved inscription a lotus and anthemion band over a frosted ground, the lower gadroon body with leaf-capped fluted handles issuing from satyr masks, raised on a circular pedestal foot, contained in the original fitted wood box, with paper label, height 36.5cm, weight 102oz.
Footnotes
The engraved inscription reads:
'Presented to JOHN GEORGE BOSS ESQR. Captain of his B. Majesty's Sloop RHODIAN, For his Zeal and Valor in the destruction of Two French Privateers & defending a Convoy From ST JAGO DE CUBA to HENEAGA, Diego, Monga, Pasqual Privintos, Pedro Blanco Carariego, June 28th 1812'
JOHN GEORGE BOSS, ESQ. (1781 – 1837)
Captain Royal Navy and Member of Parliament.
John George Boss' naval career commenced as an apprentice in the merchant service, joining the navy as a midshipman in 1796 on board Excellent. He took part in various engagements during the Napoleonic Wars taking him to the Leeward Islands, Martinique, Spain and Portugal. On board Centaur he saw action in Martinique, playing a key role in the capture of one of the finest French brigs (Curieux) in a cutting-out action. It was immediately commissioned as a British sloop of war and Boss was made her first lieutenant. Boss was to distinguish himself further aboard Curieux with a brief command of the ship. He was often employed in cutting out enemy vessels and whilst in command of her boats captured and destroyed the Spanish privateers Brilliano and Baltidore.
He was appointed Commander in 1811. During the siege of Cadiz he appears to have been employed in gun and mortar boats and almost daily engaged the enemy.
Whilst commander of the Rhodian this 'handsome' piece of plate was presented to Boss by a committee of merchants.
In the following year 1813, with Boss as Commander, the Rhodian was totally wrecked off the coast of Jamaica in a terrible storm. As a result of his heroics, every man and boy and the 500,000 dollars on board were saved. Boss was presented with two further pieces of silver weighing 400 ounces.
Boss married Charlotte Pennyman, daughter of Sir James Pennyman, 6th Baronet and Elizabeth Grey, cousin of the Whig prime minister, Earl Grey.
As member of the first reformed parliament Boss had a less distinguished career as MP for Northallerton in 1832, often falling asleep on the back benches while listening to debates. He decided not to run for re-election in 1835, and died two years later on 8th October 1837, at Otterington Hall, near Northallerton, aged 56. He was remembered as a hearty, coarse, good-humoured jolly tar.
Saleroom notices
Please note although the finial is part marked on the disc section, as the part marks slightly run under the coronet, it appears that the coronet has been soldered onto the disc, but is contemporary. It is not possible to tell if the coronet is marked. Image is available.
Additional information
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