A George III sterling silver teapot, London 1796 by John Schofield (reg. 13th Jan 1778)

of oval form with everted lip with reeded edge, the body with half fluted decoration. The tubular spout with half fluted decoration opposite a later ebonised scroll handle. The hinged lid with domed centre surmounted by a detachable turned fluted ivory finial. Engraved with a crest of a dexter arm couped vested, holding in the hand by chains a portcullis. Fully marked underneath and with lion passant only to lid.

Length – 28.5 cm / 11.25 inches

Weight – 693 grams / 22.28 ozt

The crest is for Grainger of Essex

However, this crest may be an earlier version for Edward Francis Grainger (b.1753) 2nd son of William Grainger of Caucestown co. Meath who married Rose Parry (b.1755) daughter of Peter Parry of Tywysog, Denbigh, Wales on either 25th March 1794 or 23rd April 1795. The Spetchley Hall archives record that she married in a nearby church and held the reception in Spetchley Hall, Worcestershire. They then moved to Germany where book plates showing the Grainger crest with the portcullis to the left as seen on the present lot are known, however Fairbairn's depicts this crest with the Portcullis to the right. They became Barons of Bavaria. (Pedigree of Grainger, Barons of Bavaria, of Waterford City, of Booterstown, Co. Dublin, of Causestown, Co. Meath, with eight quarters of Eliza Mary Rose Grainger successively Countess Potemkin, Duchess San Marzano and Duchess d'Ascoli, c.1650 -- c.1862., Dublin: National Library of Ireland, Genealogical Office: Ms.179, pp.120-6).

The office of the Ulster King of Arms noted a change of arms by Royal License for the Bavarian descendants of Edward Francis Grainger (The Edinburgh Gazette, December 2nd 1864, p. 1646).

Andrew Milne Collection