'The Boyne Cup.' A William and Mary silver porringer and cover, unmarked, circa 1690

embossed and chased with alternate palm and acanthus, cast foliate scroll handles, bud finial, variously engraved

condition good with the exception that a couple of pieces of leaf are missing from the bud finial, a few minor dents to the cover, and the foot is a little bent. Read footnote for comments about the engraving.
"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 Manley and of Gore impaling Manley.

The inscription reads: ‘Ex dono Gulielmi tertii, Mag: Brit: Franc: et Hib. regis sponsoris filæ Dorotheæ Manly [sic] An. Dom: 1690’

A note from S.J. Phillips, 139 New Bond Street, London, from whom the porringer was purchased about 40 years ago, explains its provenance: ‘This piece has traditionally been called ‘’The Boyne Cup,’’ as the piece is said to have been a christening gift from William III to his Godchild Dorothea Manley who was born on the day of the battle of the Boyne [1 July 1690]. Her father Isaac Manley was the King’s Postmaster General during the campaign in Ireland.’

Dorothy Manley was one of the children of Isaac Manley (1655-1735) and his wife, Mary Newland (1659-?). She was married about 1720 to William Gore by whom she had at least two children: Colonel John Gore (1724-1794), Lieutenant Governor of the Tower of London in 1776, and Ralph Gore (?-1778). Her grandchildren included Brigadier General Arthur Gore (1771-1814), who was killed in action at Bergen-op-Zoom, Netherlands, and is commemorated by a monument in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London; and Admiral Sir John Gore (1772-1835), whose daughter Anne Frances (1817-1877) became the second wife of Richard, 1^st Earl Howe (1797-1870). Among Dorothy Gore’s many other descendants were members of the Ormsby-Gore family.

The engraving on this porringer and cover appears to have been executed in two, possibly three phases. First, the coat-of-arms of Manley in a lozenge (indicating a female) and scrolling foliate cartouche on body and cover, engraved at the time of the manufacture of the porringer, circa 1690. As a family memorial the remainder of the engraving, comprising the inscription, the arms of Gore impaling Manley and the royal arms as borne by King William III (1650-1702), was done at some time during the first half of the 19^th Century.