A RICHARD MARTIN & EBENEZER HALL (British est. 1854) VICTORIAN PERIOD GILT WASHED STERLING SILVER CLARET JUG MOUNT, FOR MARTIN, HALL & CO., SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, 1868, the mount with dome shaped hinged cover featuring a wreath of bright cut oak leaves and acorn form finial, engraved to the top "FRED BURNABY FROM REG. CATHCART 1879," the collar with matching bright cut decoration centering a pouring spout with a group of cast Bacchanalian theme draped putto over a mask of Bacchus, and "D" shape handle with scrolled and beaded supporters, stamped (crown), (lion passant), (duty mark), "RM, EH" in quatrefoil, "A," total approximate silver weight: 6.16 troy ounces.Height: 5 5/8" Width: 4 3/4" Depth: 2 3/8" Note: Frederick Gustavus Burnaby was born in Bedfordshire County in 1842. A man of towering stature and robust character, he joined the Royal Horse Guards in 1859. Captain Burnaby was a skilled swordsman and linguist which facilitated his travels throughout Europe, Asia and Africa during the middle of the 19th century. It was on these expeditions that he penned his two journals "A Ride to Khiva," 1875 and "On Horseback through Asia Minor," 1876. Burnaby subsequently served in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He returned to England and married Elizabeth Hawkins-Whitshed in 1879. His adventurous spirit carried him on a hot air balloon crossing of the English Channel in 1882, as a special foreign correspondent for The Times and as an intelligence officer during various North African military campaigns. Colonel Burnaby met his end in hand to hand combat during the Battle of Abu Klea, Egypt, in 1885. It is said that when informed of the Colonel's demise, Queen Victoria was so overcome that she fainted.Provenance: The personal collection of Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burnaby, member of the Royal Horse Guards, a cavalry regiment of the British Army.

Originally fitted to a crystal claret jug, which is now lacking, with minor rubbing and loss to gilt finish. Houston Auction Company/Simpson Galleries, LLC strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Houston Auction Company/Simpson Galleries, LLC regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Houston Auction Company/Simpson Galleries, LLC. All lots offered are sold "AS IS." ALL SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS.