Lot 306: A LARGE VICTORIAN SILVER PRESENTATION VASE AND COVER

Mark of Joseph Angell, London, 1851 Raised on a shaped triangular wood base carved with swans and foliage, with three applied silver coats-of-arms, flanked by three seated silver figures of a Celt, Commerce and Geography, the vase-form body with scrolling foliage and four cartouches respectively enclosing an inscription, flax-gatherers, a factory and a shipping scene, the angular handles supported by demi-figures, the octagonal neck chased with panels of flowers, the cover surmounted by a figure of Hibernia, fully marked 361/2in. (92.6cm.) high; 437oz. (13601gr.) weighable silver PROVENANCE Christie's, London, March 27, 1985, lot 104 The FORBES Magazine Collection EXHIBITION The Morality of Immortality, The Forbes Collection NOTES The applied coat-of-arms are those of England, the City of Belfast and Villiers. The inscription reads: "This Vase, with a set of Damask Table Linen etc., of Irish Manufacture, was presented to His Exc Geo Wm Fredk Earl of Clarendon K.G., G.C.B. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, By the President and Members of the Royal Flax Improvement Society of Ireland as a Slight but Sincere Recognition of His Exertions to Extend the Culture and Manufacture of Flax and of His eminent Services in Developing the resources of the Country in Fostering Enterprise and in Promoting a Spirit of Self Reliance and Independence among the People, Belfast 1851." George William Frederick Villiers, the 4th Earl of Clarendon and fourth Baron Hyde (1800-1870) served as the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1847-1852, in the midst of the Great Irish Famine. Throughout his appointment, he sought relief and aid for the Irish, including methods improving Irish agriculture, of which this vase commemorates.