The quite long narrow marrow scoop of usual
double-ended form, with single drop heel and clear marks, the larger
bowl crested with a greyhound’s head vert., erased gu, gorged
with a collar dovetailed or (Fairbairn’s
235.5 : Bird of London & County Warwick)
This crest
undoubtedly pertains to the family of Bird, of Bread Street in the
City of London and Coventry in the County of Warwick. Given the date
of the hallmarking of this particular piece and upon the balance of
probability and without any evidence to the contrary, this marrow
scoop belonged to the household of William Wilberforce Bird (born
2nd July 1758 died 19th April 1836). Apart from being a financier,
merchant, civil servant and author, William also served in the House
of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Coventry from 1796 to
1802. William was the only son of Alderman John Bird, Silk
Manufacturer, of Coventry and London and Judith, daughter of William
Wilberforce, Baltic Merchant, of Kingston upon Hull in the County of
York. She was the aunt of William Wilberforce, who was the prime
mover for the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire.
William married twice, firstly in 1779 to his cousin, Elizabeth Bird
who sadly died in 1780; and secondly, on the 22nd May 1783, to
Penelope, daughter of the Reverend Sir Charles Wheler, the 7th
Baronet of the City of Westminster, Prebendary of York and Vicar of
Leamington Hastings in the County of Warwick
In 1807, William
arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa where he founded the
Cape Philanthropic Society. In 1810, he acquired the appointment of
the Controller of Customs, a
post within the civil service of the colony, a position he retained
until his death in 1836. His experience of finance and management
were of great use to the concerns with which he was involved. He was
instrumental in drawing up the colony's game laws, using his legal
expertise. William also carried cargo aboard his own ships,
particularly between the islands of St. Helena and Mauritius that
assisted with the import and export trade of the colony.
William and
Penelope’s eldest son, William Wilberforce Bird became the Deputy
Governor of Bengal and later served as the acting Governor-General
of India.
Condition : Very good to excellent; excellent
marks; no repairs;
the crest is rubbed, a scratch to the back of the
larger bowl.
9.75” Long / 1.3 oz.
SOLD
#6463
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