Lot 99: A George III silver Royal Presentation bugle trophy

Mark of William Frisbee, London, 1798 Chased and applied twice with bands of guilloch‚ with a band of oak leaves and acorns between, all on a matted ground, the front applied with the Prince of Wales' feathers, with two suspension chains, one detached, and with Prince of Wales' feathers clip, with later green cord and silver bullion tassels, engraved with presentation inscription, marked on rim, in fitted red leather case The horn 81/2in. (21.5cm.) wide 10oz. (326gr.) The inscription reads The Gift of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to the Royal Kentish Bowmen, Won by Charles Calvert. Arm r, Aug t 12 1799 PROVENANCE Charles Calvert of Ockley Court, Surrey, M.P. for Southwark (d.1832), m. Jane, youngest daughter of Sir William Rowley 2nd Bt. of Tendring Hall, Suffolk, in 1823. and thence by descent. NOTES The eighteenth century saw a resurgence in popularity of the medieval skill of archery, particularly in the north of the country. The sport was of antiquarian as well as historical interest and with the founding of the Royal Toxophilite Society at Leicester House in 1781, followed by the Royal Kentish Bowmen in 1785, the areas around London became a centre for competition. The societies, often under aristocratic patronage, sought to emphasize not only the sport but also its social aspects, and meets became great society occasions, the competitions between colourfully uniformed archers often followed by dinner and dancing. The Prince of Wales, later King George IV, was patron of the Royal Kentish Bowmen and occasionally attended the meets as well as presenting trophies. Charles Calvert was born on 30 August 1768, 3rd son of Felix Calvert, brewer, of Southwark and Hunsdon House, Herts., and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Ladbroke of Idlicote, Warwickshire. He was educated at Tonbridge and Harrow. In 1802 he inherited a half share in his father's brewery. A Whig, he stood for parliament and was M.P. for Southwark from 1812 until 1830 and again from the end of 1830 until his death, allying himself with the interests of brewers and maltsters, and frequently opposing increased taxation on tobacco, beer and tea as being hardest on the lower classes and likely to drive manufacturers out of business. He opposed the blockage of Norway in 1814 and the resumption of hostilities with Napoleon, and supported parliamentary reform. He died of cholera on 8 September 1832. A similar horn, also bearing the Prince of Wales' feathers, was sold Christie's London, 26 March 1934, lot 7.