The Dalton Hall Tureens. A very unusual pair of silver gilt Tureens and Covers made in London in 1840 by Robert Hennell III.

These very unusual Tureens, and Covers, are modelled in the Rococo Revival style.  Each stands on three foliate scroll handles.  The main bodies have a wide, circular, swirl fluted form and the sides rise to a beautiful rim decorated with applied scrolls and floral sprays.  The fitted, pull-off, covers are also decorated with swirl fluting, with a domed central section which rises to a Rococo, baluster, writhen finial.  Each piece is in excellent condition and is fully marked on the base and underside of the cover.  The main body and cover are also engraved with a contemporary Crest, below the coronet of a Baron.  Robert Hennell III was apprentice to his father Robert Hennell II and entered his first mark in June 1834.  He was known for his fine innovative designs and had workshops at 14, Northumberland Street, Strand, when these Tureens were made.

The Tureens were made for Beaumont Hotham, 3rd Baron Hotham, 1794-1870, of Dalton Hall, East Riding of Yorkshire and are engraved with his Crest and Coronet.  Beaumont Hotham was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Beaumont Hotham of South Dalton, East Riding of Yorkshire and Philadelphia Dyke.  His father died when he was five years old and he was educated at Westminster School.

He joined the army as an Ensign in the Coldstream Guards in 1810, and was promoted to captain in 1813, major in 1819, lieut-colonel in 1825, colonel in 1838, major-general in 1851, lieut-general in 1858 and full general in 1865.  He fought in the Peninsula campaign of 1812-1814, including the Battle of Salamanca and the Battle of Vitoria and was also at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

In 1814 he succeeded his grandfather as the third Baron Hotham, but as this was an Irish Peerage, it did not entitle him to a seat in the House of Lords.  He was instead elected to the House of Commons for Leominster in 1820, a seat he held, with a brief exception for a few months in 1831, until 1841.  He then represented the East Riding of Yorkshire between 1841 and 1868.  By the time he retired from the House of Commons, he was one of the longest-serving Members of Parliament.  His seat was Dalton Hall a grade II listed Georgian country house in Dalton Holme, East Riding of Yorkshire.  A painting of the 3rd Baron is shown, as well as two photographs of Dalton Hall.  The manor and estate were acquired by the family in the late 17th century.

Height: 5.75 inches.

Diameter at the rim: 6.45 inches.

Weight: 33oz, the pair.

PRICE £ 5,950 THE PAIR - SPECIAL PRICE £ 5,250