A large and important George III silver gilt two handled presentation cup and cover,

A large and important George III silver gilt two handled presentation cup and cover, mark of William Burwash, London 1818, of campana form, lower with repoussé folate decoration and bacchanalian masks, upper with a cast band of fruiting vines over a textured ground, two elaborate scroll handles with rosette terminals, sides engraved with the arms of DE GRELLEY to one side, and to the other, engraved TO THOMAS SCHOLES WITHINGTON ESQ., ONE OF THE CONSTABLES OF MANCHESTER IN THE YEAR MDCCCXVII, THE PRINCIPAL INHABITANTS PRESENT THIS CUP, IN TESTIMONY OF THE GRATEFUL SENSE THEY ENTERTAIN OF THE INDEFATIGABLE ZEAL AND INTREPIDITY WITH WHICH HE DISCHARGED THE DUTIES OF THAT ARDUOUS AND RESPONSIBLE SITUATION IN A SEASON OF EXTRAORDINARY DIFFICULTY AND DANGER, marked friction fitting domed cover with foliate decoration, topped with a foliate finial, 41cm high, 33cm over the handles, 144ozt grossProvenance: Bonhams: Fine English & Continental Silver & Objects of Vertu, lot 107From the estate of the late Barry Lock (1934-2021)This cup is a presentation piece by the then civic authority in Manchester. Manchester was governed by manorial courts until the mid-19th century and regained its borough status in 1838. Four years after becoming a borough once again, the authority was granted arms and crest by the Kings of Arms at The College of Arms in the City of London. Prior to this, the town/borough unofficially made use of the arms of the De Grelley family, the ancient Lords of Manchester. William Scholes Withington (circa 1790 - 1838) was elected as one of the Constables of Manchester in 1816. He was further elected as the Borough Reeve, the chief officer of the town (equivalent to the mayor) in October 1817 - an office that he held for a year.At this time, reform groups were being founded around the country, advocating, amongst other things, the vote for all men. Protests started around the country and a meeting at St Peter’s Field in Manchester was one of many such events. The government started taking steps to quell these gatherings and movements by renewing wartime laws around seditious speech. The Manchester radicals met in St Peter’s Field to try and draw attention to the flaws in the law, but many were arrested and placed in prison.Reformers planned another mass meeting in Manchester in 1819, again at St Peter’s Field. It was to be the starting point of a peaceful protest march from Manchester to London. The magistrates, however, decided to disperse the participants and they instructed Thomas Withington, one of the mounted civic fathers, to take the Chairman of the local magistrates’ request to the Commander of the Manchester and Salford Yeomanry to remain at the ready. Reportedly, this included preparing themselves by drinking in the local taverns.The march was reported to be 60,000 strong, including many women and children. The magistrates instructed the Yeomanry to arrest the key speakers as soon as the event started. However, before the Yeomanry could take action, it was a requirement that the Riot Act should be read out to the crowd. Part of this Act made it illegal for twelve or more people to assemble and disturb the public peace unlawfully. Failure to disperse, at the request of local authorities, would be seen as a felony. By repute, on this occasion, the Riot Act was read out to the crowd by Thomas Withington. Following the reading, which was ignored by the crowd, the untrained and now intoxicated Yeomanry seized the leaders and, wielding weapons, made a general attack on the main crowd. Over 600 were injured, many of them women and children, and 15 people died. Henry Hunt and the other leaders were arrested and convicted.This cup appears to have been presented to Withington for his service to the Manor and Town of Manchester following his involvement in what is now known as the infamous ‘Peterloo Massacre’.Overall in good condition with no obvious sign of repair. Some minor surface scratches as to be expected and commensurate with age. Hallmarks a little rubbed but still readable, and the engraving is clear and crisp, Part marks to the cover rather rubbed. Some minor staining, but no obvious losses to the gilding. Interior in good condition with again just some minor surface scratches. Sits well on a flat surface with no wobble. Cover wobbles a bit and the rim is a little out of shape in 2 places.