A mid-19^th century Indian colonial silver twin handled cup, Calcutta circa 1840 by Hamiton and Co

Of campana form with a moulded rim, upon a stem formed as twisted vines leading to a cast circular foot formed as grapes with vine leaves, the vines forming the twin bifurcated handles with grape and vine leaf junctions. Engraved to the side with a contemporanesous presentation inscription reading “Harriet Hannyngton, the gift of her affectionate friends, family & Richard Duseley”. Marked to the foot edge with H&Co, elephant, Roman capital A and a n incuse tally mark of a crescent.

Height – 11.6 cm / 4.55 inches

Weight – 351 grams / 11.28 ozt

Harriet almost certainly Harriet Elizabeth Hannyngton (1842-1930) the daughter of John Caulfield Hannyngton (1807 – 1885/1886) and Harriet Dillon Baker (1804-1897), he a British military commander, actuary, and mathematician. He is remembered as inventor of a slide rule of previously unattainable precision. He joined the British Army as a cadet in 1825 and was posted to India with the 24th Regiment of Native Infantry.

Richard Duseley, presumably godfather, is possibly the Richard Duseley (b.1795) in Ireland (like Harriet’s father) who is listed in the 1861 census as a “fruit dealer”.