Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers
Lot 557
An Important Victorian silver sculptural group depicting KING JOHN SIGNING THE MAGNA CARTA Designed & modelled by GEORGE A CARTER Hallmarked by: HUNT & ROSKELL, LONDON, 1880, all pieces markedThe sculptural group comprising of King John seated at a table signing the Magna Carta in front of three Barons, the Archbishop of Canterbury and two Pages, one page holding the Crown, the other a shield; the Baron's realistically cast in chain mail with robes and cloaks, the Archbishop with crozier - all raised on a "wooden" plinth with the King's bloodhound to the front all above an egg-and-dart border, this top section weighs pprox 11.50kgThe scuptural group sits on an oblong shaped ebonised plinth with canted corners mounted with silver plaques and figures: one cast plaque depicts the boat El Mahrousa on the river Thames in front of the Tower of London above the Samuda Coat-of-Arms; the other cast plaque depicts the Houses of Parliament, each end with cast symbolic figures above a band of stylised C-Scrolls. The central presentation plaque read: PRESENTED TO JOSEPH D'AGUILAR SAMUDA BY A LARGE NUMBER OF HIS FRIENDS AND FORMER CONSTITUENTS IN THE TOWER HAMLETS. IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANT SERVICES HE HAS RENDERED TO THE BOROUGH AND AS A RECORD OF THEIR HIGH APPRECIATION OF THE INDEPENDENT AND PATRIOTIC SPIRIT WHICH HE EVINCED THROUGHOUT THE LONG PERIOD DURING WHICH HE REPRESENTED THE CONSTITUENCY IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS16 JULY 1880 The other plaque depicts the Tower of London and reads: Presented 16 July 1880 The piece is mounted on a commissioned burr walnut heavily carved stand, the central section carved with the Samuda Coat-of-ArmsTogether with illuminated manuscript presentation document, 8 leaves embellished with gilt and watercolour depiction of exotic birds and flowers and script, dated 17th July 1880, signed by the Chairman and Hon Sec together with all the names of contributing subscribers - square folio, bound in purple velvet with gilt brass ornate clasps with plaques depicting Samuda Coat-of-Arms and Monogram Provenance: Joseph d'Aguilar Samuda 16th July 1880 and thence by descent Measurements to include: 64" overall approx height floor to top of CrozierThe table = 33" wide x 37" highThe ebonised silver stand: 17.5" depth x 30" wide x 23" highThe solid silver sculpture: 20" long x 13.5" wide x 14.5" to top of Bishop's hat (18" to top of Crozier)Exhibited: A Catalogue of Manufactures, Decorations and Designs, The Work of the students of the schools of art in Great Britain and Ireland, in connection with the Science and Art Department, South Kensington Museum 1884 (The Victoria & Albert Museum) Exhibited: Central Gallery catalogue no: 728. Group of Figures, in silver, representing King John signing Magna Carta lent by J. D'Aguilar Samuda Esq., Note:Joseph D'Aguilar Samuda (1813 -1885) was a civil engineer and politician. Born in London, he studied engineering with his brother Jacob, they subsequently set up Samuda Brothers which principally built marine engines between 1832-1842. From 1843 Samuda Bros (Jacob died in 1844) entered into ship-building and the firm was continuously engaged in constructing iron steamships for the Royal Navy, merchant marine, passenger and mail services as well as private commissions. In 1860 Joseph helped to establish the Institute of Naval Architects, of which he was the first treasurer and subsequently a vice-president and in 1862 he became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.In 1841 Joseph published A Treatise on the Adaptation of Atmospheric Pressure to the Purposes of Locomotion on Railways. He patented the scheme and as a result his firm was engaged in putting into practice between the yeas 1842 -1848. They laid down and worked on experimental lines most notably between London Bridge and Epsom (Croydon line), Dalkey (Co Dublin) and Paris however, once consistent problems became apparent the atmospheric method of propulsion was abandoned and the equipment sold.Politically he was a member of the Metropolitan Board of Works from 1860 to 1865, entering Parliament as the Liberal MP for Tavistock. He sat for Tavistock until 1868, when he was returned for the Tower Hamlets, which he represented until 1880. Then he lost his seat owing to his support for Benjamin Disraeli's foreign policy. While in the House he spoke with authority on all matters connected with his profession and his speeches are described as "treasure-houses of technical and political knowledge." He was one of the original officers of the 2nd Tower Hamlets Rifle Volunteer Corps/ 4th (City of London) Battalion in 1861 he was commissioned as a captain.
