#3189 • Gen. Joseph R. Hawley Centennial Sterling Silver Presentation Cup

Part of Fine and Decorative Arts | March 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM (live auction by Alderfer Auction)

High bid $4,500.00

Status: Sold

British sterling silver footed urn, Aesthetic style with brightcut decoration including swag, rosettes, and clovers set on a basketweave background framing four cartouches, with beaded bands around the rims, a hexagonal knop, trumpet foot, two scrolling handles with acanthus accents, and a domed cover, featuring an owl form finial with red glass eyes, which opens to a gold washed interior. The forward cartouche is inscribed: "On The Occasion Of The Centennial Celebration, This Cup Together With A Purse Of Gold Was Presented To General Hawley By The Special Commissioner Of Great Britain Sir Edward Thornton Representing Her Majesty Queen Victoria On This Illustrious Occasion May 10th 1876". The cup was presented to Joseph R. Hawley (President of the US Centennial Commission (1873 - 1876); Civil War officer (captain, major general); Governor of Connecticut (1866 - 1867); Chairman of the Republican National Convention (1868); US Rep from Conn. (1872 - 1875), (1879 - 1881); US Senator form Conn. (1881 - 1905), editor of the Hartford Courant, and one of the founding members of the Republican Party), on the opening day of the Centennial Exposition, by Sir Edward Thornton, 2nd Count of Cacilhas (British Minister to the US, 1867 - 1881). Marks to the body and cover: London, 1876, by Richards & Brown (Edward Charles Brown). Also stamp marked 5767 to the foot. Provenance: From a Mainline collection, purchased from M.S. Rau Antiques in 1999. 18"h x 10"w. 42.68 ozt.