Early 1800s Nautical Objects

English mahogany oval sea captains desk with hinged leather top concealing two upper hidden compartments, single front drawer, original brasses, ebony...

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...

Fabulous library telescope with engraved collar marked with makers name "Wellington, Crown Court, Soho, London". Fitted with a spotting scope and geared focal tube. Mounted to a pill...

This monumental George III gold and hardstone intaglio fob seal comprises a profile portrait of the head and shoulders of Admiral Viscount Nelson, in uniform displaying...

George III stick barometer in a finely figured mahogany case with canted corners and architectural pediment surmounted by a central ivory finial. Exposed mercury tube with bulb ciste...

The enamelling on this quatrefoil gold pendant is attributed to Ray & Montague: ‘hiltmakers, goldworkers and enamellers’. The obverse is mounted with a vitreous paste profile portrait cameo of Admiral Viscount Nelson within four navy blue enamel panels with the gilt inscription: ‘H·Nelson·Died·for His·Country at·Trafalgar Oct:21·1805’ all within ropework borders. The reverse is mounted with an oval polychrome enamel plaque representing a blue Royal Navy ensign flying triumphant above the flags of France and Spain superimposed with an anchor and laurel wreath against a red background within four navy blue enamel panels with the gilt inscription: Glory to the Souls of the Brave, a line from The Battle of the Baltic written in 1801 by Scottish poet Thomas Campbell (1777-1844) to commemorate Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Copenhagen. Cameo with incised signature Tassie F. 1805 English, 1805 John Ray and James Montague succeeded to the celebrated enamelling and goldsmithing firm of James Morisset (1738-1815) in 1800. Like Morisset, they specialised in presentation swords...

George III Lloyds patriotic fund silver and silver gilt vase and cover by Samuel Hennell, of Adam design, the lift-off cover with knop finial above an...

This turned commemorative oak bowl is of deep cylindrical form applied with a silver shield-shaped plaque inscribed ‘H.M.S. Royal George. (108 Guns) Capsised 29th Augst. 1782. This P...

Antique print titled 'Supposed form of an Ancient Galley (..)'. View of an ancient galley. This print originates from John Charnock's 'History of Marine Architecture'. Published ...

Antique print titled 'Tekening, Plan en Doorsnede van eene dubbele Praauw (..)'. Antique print depicting a drawing, plan and cross-section of a proa of Amsterdam Island. Amsterda...

A collection of coral, sold by the piece. Prices from two hundred - two thousand. The large pieces are about 2 feet tall.

Antique print titled 'Gezigt van Waterhoozen aan de Kust van Nieuw-Zeeland'. Antique print depicting three whirlwinds and a ship off the coast of New Zealand. Originates from 'Re...