Bronze Scale Models of 40lb Naval Cannon, England, circa 1890

Pair of antique English naval cannon each with a tapering three stage barrel flanked by plain trunnions, with a knob shaped cascabel button before a shaped rectangular raised vent and ending in a 3 1/2” bore muzzle, enclosing a removable conforming wood plug, circa 1800. Stood upon a naval type bronze-mounted four wheeled wooden carriage, including its wedge shaped quoin with knob handle. The Earls of Lonsdale, Lowther Castle, Cumbria, presumably by descent to Hugh Cecil Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale (1857-1944), until sold by his heir and brother, Lancelot, 6th Earl, as part of the contents of Lowther Castle, Maple & Co. Ltd./Thomas Wyatt, Tuesday 14 April 1947 and two following days, lot 558: ‘A pair of Old Gun Metal Cannons on teakwood carriages, 3ft. 6in. long’. Mrs. P.M. Adie-Shepherd, sold Christie’s, London, 29 May 1970, lot 96. Lowther Castle is a castellated mansion built by Robert Smirke between 1806 and 1814 for William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale (1757-1844). It was constructed on the foundations of the former 17th century family seat, Lowther Hall, but it was only in the early 19th century that it was afforded the name ‘castle’ in keeping with the Europe-wide fashion for romanticism and which was promoted by influential characters such as William Beckford at Fonthill Abbey, Wiltshire in England and by the writer Sir Walter Scott at Abbotsford, Roxburghshire, Scotland. While it’s not known when these naval cannon were acquired for Lowther they would have been entirely fitting in the castle or its approaches and it’s likely that they were in place soon after the castle was completed, or perhaps acquired later by the 5th Earl. A tantalising possibility is that the cannon were originally aboard the East Indiaman Lowther Castle which was active in the early 19th century. HUGH CECIL LONSDALE, 5TH EARL OF LONSDALE (1857-1944) AND THE DEMISE OF LOWTHER CASTLE In 1882 at the age of 25 Hugh Lonsdale (1857-1944) unexpectedly inherited the earldom and with it the extensive Lonsdale estate, including tens of thousands of acres of Cumberland and Westmorland and coalfields at Whitehaven. However, despite his spectacular inherited wealth – he was suddenly one of the wealthiest men in England, over the course of his lifetime he managed to decimate the family fortune. He led a full and colourful life, one of adventure and luxury. An early intrepid escapade took place in July 1888 when, as part of an expedition called the Scotch Naturalist Society, he set embarked on horse sleigh...

This highly detailed and unusual scale model is partially planked on one side to reveal the interior structure. There are hinged panels in the sides which open to afford a glimpse of the interior. The whole is raised on two supports upon a shaped plinth base. Italian, circa 1880. Provenance Provenance: By repute King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and gifted to Duke of the Abruzzi thence by descent until sold in 1973 to Arnaldo Ruschioni. The present model represents a clipper, or fast sailing vessel, first introduced in the early 19th century. The clipper was outfitted with three high masts and a large number of sails, designed to carry small loads of profitable cargo quickly over long distances. The present clipper model was constructed in the third quarter of the 19th century and was formerly owned by collector and naval model...

This is a Replica Model of a Bronze Cannon. It depicts a graduated cylindrical shaped patinated bronze barrel supported by also some bronze wheels. It is decorated with some ribbed r...

Quality architect's half model of a double ended competition speedboat. The hull is marked with the lines of the vessel. Possibly a C.W. Mower design. Mounted to a wood backboard. Ci...