An important George III Tea Urn made in Dublin Circa 1780 by Jonathan Craig.

An important George III Tea Urn made in Dublin Circa 1780 by Jonathan Craig.

£6,500
Reference

374436

Tea Urns from Ireland are extremely rare and very few are known to exist. This example stands on a square platform base which rests on four ball feet. The vase shaped main body rests on a circular pedestal foot decorated with a circular band of beading and bright cutting. The main body rises to a beaded band on the neck above a band of bright cutting, including stylised flower heads in roundels. The cast tap is beautifully modelled as a dolphins head and is attached to the main body with a Rococo flame moulding. The opening mechanism is green stained with sycamore, which was fashionable at this date. The two flying scroll handles are decorated with leaf capping and are attached to the main body with acanthus mouldings. The neck is beautifully engraved with a contemporary Armorial, with a motto engraved on a banner below, all surrounded by a cartouche of bluebell garlands, tied with ribbons above and crossed branches below. The high, domed, pull off cover is engraved with a contemporary Crest and terminates in an acorn finial.

The Arms are those of Lieutenant Colonel John Edwards (1751-1832) of Old Court, Co. Wicklow. He was an officer in theLight Dragoons, a volunteer force in Ireland. He married, in 1780, Charlotte Wright (1762-1843), 5th daughter of John Wright of Nottingham and sister of John Wright of Lenton Hall, Nottinghamshire. He was the eldest son and heir of James Edwards (1708-1780), also of Old Court, bu Ann Teison ( 1734-1805) 2nd daughter of Thomas Tenison, a barrister of Castle Tenison, Co. Roscommon.

The Edwards family are descended from Rhodri Mawr (Roderick the Great) King of Wales from 843. Richard Edwards (1635-1693), great-grandfather of Lt Col John Edwards, settled in Ireland and in 1656 married Elizabeth Kynaston (1635-1672) heiress of her father Colonel John Kynaston of Otley Park, Salop, who with his regiment of Welsh foot, had landed in Ireland to support Parliaments claims for the surrender of Dublin.

Silver made by Jonathan Craig is extremely rare and little survives. We know that he was elected a Freeman of the Goldsmiths Company in 1769.

Height: 15 inches, 37.5 cm.
Length, handle to handle, 7.25 inches, 18.13 cm
Weight: 35.5 oz.

Ivory Registration Submission reference: 5GVX97V5

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