Imposing, large & very heavy (1.32kg) George III sterling silver maritime presentation coffee pot relating to early shipbuilding in the town of Selby, North Yorkshire & hallmarked London 1812 by Samuel Hennell.
The coffee pot itself is decorated with fluting to the lower bowl in repousse style and has acanthus leaf decoration to the top of the handle and the base of the spout. The finial to the lid is a figural silver gourd or berry sitting upon a stem with spreading leaves.
To the top of the cartouche has been engraved with an anchor & the beautiful presentation reads:
"IN COMMEMORATION of the 16 March 1812. When the honest, zealous and unceasing Exertions of a few Individuals finally triumphed over Combined Partisans. THIS SILVER COFFEE POT IS gratefully presented to MR WILLM. STANILAND OF SELBY, by the OWNERS of the Brig WILLIAM for his indefatigable zeal in the above CAUSE".
NOTE: I have tried to research the background to the above presentation inscription with limited success. I have discovered William Staniland was a prominent gentleman based in Selby and that he was involved in shipbuilding in the town and the transport of goods & passengers.
In the early 1800s, the main transport of passengers around the country took place by stagecoach and William Staniland would have been challenging the status quo by building passenger packet ships which took just 5 hours for the 55 mile journey to Hull for example, much faster than a stagecoach. It is likely the presentation coffee pot has a connection to this issue.
Clearly the presentation of the coffee pot is related to an important issue affecting the town of Selby so is clearly worthy of more detailed research.
Weight: 1.320kg. Height: 220 mm. Width: 125 mm. Diameter of base: 100 mm. Hall Mark: London 1812. Maker's Mark: SAmuel Hennell.
Selby: A market town in North Yorkshire situated 12 miles south of York on the River Ouse with a population of 19,760 in 2021. It once had a thriving shipbuilding industry and was an important port on the Selby Canal which brought trade to Leeds. It also had a direct river connection to the Humber and the east coast port of Hull.
Summary: As can be seen from the photos & history (above) this in interesting presentation coffee pot relating to the era when horse drawn stagecoaches were being challenged by shipbuilders looking to transport passengers more quickly by water. Of particular importance & interest of course to the town of Selby. Good luck!
NOTE: Due to the weight of the package I will post using ParcelForce 48. I am happy to post worldwide but I can only do so using the Global Shipping Programme & I cannot post personally.