- 518
A set of three George III silver-gilt baskets in sizes, Joseph Preedy, London, 1799
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description
- silver
- larger 32cm, 13in; pair 22cm, 9in diameter
comprising a pair and a larger example, circular, centred by the engraved cypher of Queen Charlotte, wire rim simulating basket weave, undersides engraved with a bird and olive branch crest
Provenance
Queen Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818).
Sotheby's London, 1 June 2006, lot 85.
Sotheby's London, 1 June 2006, lot 85.
Literature
Associated Literature:
Jane Roberts ed. George III and Queen Charlotte Patronage, Collecting and Court Taste, London, 2004, pp.385-388
Jane Roberts ed. George III and Queen Charlotte Patronage, Collecting and Court Taste, London, 2004, pp.385-388
Condition
Good clear marks to each underside. Nicely engraved cyphers/crests to front and rear in crisp condition. Gilding of good colour. One of the smaller baskets with bruised and slightly pushed out wirework. The wirework appears to be in good condition overall with no obvious breaks or repairs.
"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 cypher is that of Queen Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818) wife of King George III. They were married on 8 September 1771
In the will signed on 16 November 1818, the day before she died, Queen Charlotte left her personal possessions to her four youngest daughters in equal proportions, the eldest also called Charlotte (1766-1828) , Queen of Württemberg `having been so long established in Germany and so amply provided for in all respects'. The Queen's property was divided equally and after the Princesses ( Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary and Sophia) had chosen what they wanted to keep, the remainder was consigned to auction, with the proceeds then divided equally taking into account what each princess had retained. There were 35 sales of auctioned property from 4 January to 27 August 1819 with proceeds of £59600. The Jewels, Trinkets, Silver Fillagree Dessert, Silver Gilt Dressing and Table Plate amounting to £35,055 was sold at Christies on 17-19 May. Of the retained possessions Princess Augusta (1768-1840) kept most relatively, £6,897 9s. of the total £15,052 4s retained. Soon after Princess Augusta's death her brother Ernst August, King of Hanover informed her executors that he was `disposed to purchase the whole of the Jewels and Plate rather than any part thereof should pass out of the family'. A proportion of Princess Sopia's estate also went to The King of Hanover. Seven similar baskets to the present examples, Pitts and Preedy, 1793 the central basket Joseph Preedy 1802 with Queen Charlotte's cypher were exhibited in June 1959 at Thomas Lumley, London Exhibition of Old Silver. According to the catalogue these had originated from the Hanover plate of Ernst August. A further pair of baskets Pitts and Preedy 1793 of similar type were advertised in Apollo, March 2004 and a set of five including two oval examples otherwise identical to the present baskets, Joseph Preedy 1799 were sold Sothebys, London, 27 May 2004 lot 93. These latter baskets were also engraved with the same crest as the ones now offerred for sale, which is that of Blantyre of Co Lanark in the peerage of Scotland. The Blantyre's family seat in East Lothian Lennoxlove got its name according to tradition from Lady Frances Stewart Duchess of Lennox (said by Samuel Pepys to have been the greatest beauty he had ever seen) who gave 50,000 pounds to her nephew Alexander Blantyre for the purchase of a home to be called `Lennox's love to Blantyre', the present seat of the Duke of Hamilton.
In the will signed on 16 November 1818, the day before she died, Queen Charlotte left her personal possessions to her four youngest daughters in equal proportions, the eldest also called Charlotte (1766-1828) , Queen of Württemberg `having been so long established in Germany and so amply provided for in all respects'. The Queen's property was divided equally and after the Princesses ( Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary and Sophia) had chosen what they wanted to keep, the remainder was consigned to auction, with the proceeds then divided equally taking into account what each princess had retained. There were 35 sales of auctioned property from 4 January to 27 August 1819 with proceeds of £59600. The Jewels, Trinkets, Silver Fillagree Dessert, Silver Gilt Dressing and Table Plate amounting to £35,055 was sold at Christies on 17-19 May. Of the retained possessions Princess Augusta (1768-1840) kept most relatively, £6,897 9s. of the total £15,052 4s retained. Soon after Princess Augusta's death her brother Ernst August, King of Hanover informed her executors that he was `disposed to purchase the whole of the Jewels and Plate rather than any part thereof should pass out of the family'. A proportion of Princess Sopia's estate also went to The King of Hanover. Seven similar baskets to the present examples, Pitts and Preedy, 1793 the central basket Joseph Preedy 1802 with Queen Charlotte's cypher were exhibited in June 1959 at Thomas Lumley, London Exhibition of Old Silver. According to the catalogue these had originated from the Hanover plate of Ernst August. A further pair of baskets Pitts and Preedy 1793 of similar type were advertised in Apollo, March 2004 and a set of five including two oval examples otherwise identical to the present baskets, Joseph Preedy 1799 were sold Sothebys, London, 27 May 2004 lot 93. These latter baskets were also engraved with the same crest as the ones now offerred for sale, which is that of Blantyre of Co Lanark in the peerage of Scotland. The Blantyre's family seat in East Lothian Lennoxlove got its name according to tradition from Lady Frances Stewart Duchess of Lennox (said by Samuel Pepys to have been the greatest beauty he had ever seen) who gave 50,000 pounds to her nephew Alexander Blantyre for the purchase of a home to be called `Lennox's love to Blantyre', the present seat of the Duke of Hamilton.