A GEORGE III MAHOGANY TEA CADDY
the lid with swing brass handle, fitted with two black galvanised tea canisters to the interior, the inside of the lid with oval white metal presentation plaque engraved with three anchors '... at the launching of his Majesty's Sloope... Salamander the 7th. July 1730... Built by Mr John Hayward Master Shipwright of his Majestys Yard at Woolwich', the front with ivory escutcheon and key, 15cm high x 23.5cm wide x 13cm deep; together with two other tea caddies;
Bidding ended. Lot is unsold.
and a mahogany wall-mounted candle box with inlaid plaque of a vase of flowers, 44cm high (4)
Ivory Submission Reference: CG86VBBT
Note: The Salamander was a bomb ketch of 264 tons. She carried six guns, eight swivel guns and with a complement of eighty men. Between the years of 1731 and 1737 she was commanded by James Hutchinson and operated mainly in the Channel and around Ireland. Between the years 1738 and 1742 she served chiefly in the Mediterranean. She was eventually sold in 1743.
After research The National Maritime Museum has revealed to the present owner of the caddy that there was a presentation of silver handled knives, forks and spoons within a skin case presented to John Hayward at the launch of the Salamander (25 September 1730). It is possible that the inscription came from the box which had been sold by a family member and attached inside the caddy as a memento.
The reference is in the 'Burlington Magazine Vol. XXXVII September' 1920 under the title 'Builders of Ships for the Royal Navy and their Gifts of Plate from 1708 to 1736'.
Read more
