Trophy
overall
Copyright: Russell Buskirk
Name/Title
TrophyEntry/Object ID
97.5.1Description
George III Silver Gilt Two Handled Cup Two Handled Cup and Cover By John Swift, London 1769. Campana Form, Armorial Engraved Above the Motto "Ducit Amor Patriae" and Crested Within Foliate Sprays Between Leaf Wrapped Scroll Handles, the Base Applied with Intertwining Foliate Scrolls, Knopped Stem and Pedestal Base Chased with Palmettes, Raised Cover Also Crested and Chased with Palmettes Below Bud Finial. Arms Are Those of William Bull II (1710-1791), Lt. Gov of Charleston. The foot cast and chased with acanthus leaves and with a knop with quatrefoils in braided ovolos; the campana form body applied at base with swirling foliage; the leaf-capped scroll handles with knops at middle; the cover with acanthus decoration, bud finial, and gadrooned border. The design for this cup was commissioned in 1736 by Colonel James Pelham from the architect and designer William Kent. From it George Wickes made what is now known as the Pelham Gold Cup, the first of many cups done to this design, which was popularized in 1744 with John Vardy's publication of "Some designs of Mr. Inigo Jones and Mr. William Kent". Wickes's London firm had been appointed goldsmiths to the prince of Wales in 1735. As Elaine Barr remarks in her monograph of George Wickes, the design contains "not so much as a hint of rococo", and "its classical restraint strangely foreshadows Robert Adam." In light of this, and of the overwhelming popularity of the rococo style in the middle of the century, it is odd that the design should have remained popular all through the period (examples are known from the 1740's, 50's, and 60's). Sotheby's sale catalog described the design as a bridge between the late Baroque and neo-Classicism and indeed the decoration of the foot and cover is typical of Adam-style silver, and even the swirling foliage is seen on important pieces of early George III and neo-Classical silver such as the great wine cistern of the Earl of Huntingdon and the pair of soup tureens by Philip Rundell. The arms are those of Governor William Bull II of Charleston, SC (1710-1791). The arms originally recorded in the 1682-3 Visititation of Warwick, as those of Bull of Sheldon Hall and Kingshurst Hall, near Coleshill. William was the grandson of Stephen Bull, one of the first settlers of Carolina who held many important positions including Colonel of Provincial Forces, Member of the Grand Council and Lords Proprietors' Deputy. William Bull was the first American to graduate in Medicine at Leyden, 1734. After being Captain in the Spanish War, Brigadier-General of Militia and Member of HM council, he was appointed Speaker of the House of Delegates in 1783. He married Hannah Beale and died in London, 4 July 1791. In her will dated 31 December 1793 she gave "to each of my nieces Katherine Stapleton and Maria Hannah Beale one of my large Silver Cups with covers Gilt within and I desire my niece Stapleton to give the said cup by me given to her to her daughter Hannah Eliza and I desire my Niece Maria Hannah Beale if she died unmarried to give the other said cup to my grand nephew William Beale Stapleton. But if my neice Maria Hannah Beale die before her sister Katherine Stapleton leaving issue then the cup I give to my niece Katherine Stapleton is to go to her son William Beale if living..." The pair to the present cup is in the Bristol Art Gallery and Museum (Bristol, England). It was bequeathed by Miss E. Duncombe, a descendant of the Vanderhorst family of Bristol, one of whom married Mary Hannah Beale. The Bristol cup retains its gilt-washed interior, but the body and cover were never intended for silver gilt, a later enhancement added to the Charleston cup. The engraved armorial design incorporates the Bull family motto: Ducit amor patriae (love of country leads). Numerous examples of similar Pelham-styled cups are know, including a version by John Jacobs in 1755 (private collection), Thomas Heming in 1763 (private collection) and Governor Bull's pair by John Swift of 1769-1770. John Swift (English, free 1725, active 1718-1758) Two-handled cup with cover London, England, 1769 Silver with later gilt on exterior H. 15 7/8 x W. 11 1/4 (over handle) x Diam. 5 3/8 (base) inches, Diam. 3 3/4 (top) inches Engraved: Crest of Lt. Gov. William Bull II (1710-1791) of Charleston, SC, stamped: lion passant, crowned leopard's head, date letter and JS Historic Charleston Foundation, Charleston, SC, gift of James P. Barrow, 97.5.1 This covered cup is based on an example which Colonel James Pelham (ca. 1683-1761) commissioned in 1736 from silversmith George Wickes (baptized 1698-1761). The Pelham cup was designed by the architect and designer William Kent (1685-1748), and published in John Vardy's book, Some Designs of Mr. Inigo Jones and Mr. William Kent (1744, plate 28). The Bull family covered cup is one of a pair, and its mate is in the collection of the City of Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. In the will of Lt. Gov. William Bull's widow, Hannah Beale Bull, dated December 31, 1793, she bequests "to each of my nieces Katherine Stapleton and Maria Hannah Beale one of my large Silver Cups with covers Gilt within." The engraved armorial design incorporates the Bull family motto, Ducit amour patriae (love of country leads). BSC See, McInnis and Mack, In Pursuit of Refinement, 264.Collection
Historic Charleston Foundation CollectionAcquisition
Accession
97.5.Source or Donor
Barrow, Mr. JamesAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Mr. James P. BarrowMade/Created
Artist
Swift, John (free 1725, active 1718-1758)Manufacturer
LondonDate made
1769 - 1770Time Period
RococoPlace
Location
EnglandLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
TrophyNomenclature Primary Object Term
PrizeNomenclature Sub-Class
Achievement SymbolsNomenclature Class
Personal SymbolsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsOther Names and Numbers
Other Name
Covered CupOther Numbers
Number Type
Other NumberOther Number
1225Dimensions
Height
15-3/4 inWeight
92.16 ozMaterial
Silver, Silver with GiltLocation
Location
Room
303Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseCategory
PermanentDate
February 7, 2023Location
Room
103Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseCategory
PermanentMoved By
SJDate
July 22, 2004Location
Room
303Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseMoved By
Jill Beute KovermanDate
September 16, 2002Notes
Until: / /Location
Building
NR DINING ROOMMoved By
June HawkinsDate
June 24, 2002Notes
Until: / /Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Bull, William, 1710-1791Related Publications
Notes
"In Pursuit of Refinement: Charlestonians Abroad, 1740-1860"Provenance
Notes
The pair to this cup is in the Bristol Art Gallery and Museum. It was bequeathed by Miss E. Duncombe, a descendent of the Vanderhorst family of Bristol, one of whom married Mary Hannah Beale (see description).Exhibitions
10
16