A Queen Anne Irish Silver Coffee Pot Dublin 1706 by David King
An Irish Queen Anne silver coffee pot of plain tapering cylindrical form, leaf-capped spout, low domed well fitting lid with cast finial. Original scroll fruit wood handle.
The whole standing on a stepped circular foot.
Hallmarked for Dublin 1706 by David King.
The lid is marked with a makers mark for William Sutton (S under U) whose mark was registered at the Dublin assay office in 1720, with the style of the lid contemporary to the period.
A scratch weight of 23"11 is marked to the base. The marks are clear and very well struck.
This very attractive coffee pot in excellent condition with only a couple of tiny spot repairs to the lid.
The gauge of the silver is very good and the lid fits extremely well with no lateral movement to the hinge.
The handle is firm with no cracks, chips or splits and the finial sits true.
The hallmarks are well struck and very clear.
This is a very important & rare, beautiful coffee pot exemplifying the fine silver work coming out of Dublin at the time. I have had this coffee pot appraised by one of the leading academics of antique Irish silver and he confirms all the characteristics are contemporary to the period. It is one of if not the oldest Irish coffee pot available on the market today.
It is of a good gauge and has a lovely colour and patina by one of the most highly regarded Irish silversmiths.
Height: 23cm
Weight: 23 oz approx (excluding handle)
Provenance: The MacNamara family of Moyreisk & Ballyline, County Clare
The MacConmara were one of the most influential clans of Thomond and for a long time placed second in importance to that of the Royal O'Briain. They were once styled Lords of Clancullen and the extensive territory over which they ruled comprised much of the present day Baronies of Bunratty and both Upper and Lower Tulla. The name is derived from "cu" meaning a hound and "na mara" of the sea, an example whereby the image of a legendary figure is incorporated into that of a surname. This important sept could trace their origin to Cas, the Celtic chief who settled here as leader of a group of people known as Dal Cais, thereby giving their name to the land of the Dalcassians.
The coming of Cromwell to Ireland and the subsequent wholesale confiscations of land dealt a fatal blow to their position and high standing and it has been calculated that of 293 families of the name, living on their lands in 1654 only six were allowed to retain part of their estates. Many fled the country mainly to France, a few retired to accept what was offered to them in Connacht, others departed to seek a new life even as far away as the West Indies. Many MacNamaras did, however, find a place in history. Donnchad Ruadh is among the best known of the Gaelic poets while John "Fireball" MacNamara and Francis MacNamara of Ennistymon House were colourful figures.
