A Superb William IV Coffee Pot by Paul Storr
The bellied body elaborately chased in the rococo revival style, the front with symmetrically shaped cartouche with punched bead surround enclosing engraved crests and armorials. All bordered by "C" scrolls with fine matted shells above and leafy scrolls below. The sides with panels of fish scales flanked by large leafy scrolls and flowers. The matted and tapering upper part of the body with superbly chased sprays of leaves and flowers , all below diaper panels, shells and further leafy scrolls. The swan-neck spout with elegant fluting rising to a leaf-capped end with a large leaf at the front, shellwork at the back separated by clusters of flowers. The fluted and scrolling handle rising to a matted leaf and applied to a flared rim of shells, leaves and scrolls. The hinged and domed lid chased with shells, leaves and scrolls upon a matted ground and capped by a cast flower finial. The back of the body similar to the front but with a vacant cartouche. The spreading base with a running band of flowers, leaves and scrolls on a matted ground. The underside of the base engraved "Green...Ward...and Green"
Date
Maker
1836
Paul Storr
Weight
Dimensions
45.75 oz (1423gm)
10.75" (27.3cm) high
Price
£9,850
Provenance
The crests and arms are those of Wiggett Chute of the Vyne, Hampshire, for William, 2nd son of the Rev. James Wiggett of Crudwell, Wiltshire and Rachel, daughter and heiress of Samuel Lyde of Ayott in Hampshire. William was born in 1800, went to Winchester school and University College, Oxford, from which he graduated in 1821 and achieved an M.A. in 1825. He was called to the Bar at Middle temple in 1827.
In 1837 he married Martha, daughter of Theophilus Russell Buckworth of Cockley, Norfolk. This pot was likely to have been a wedding present as the date letter on silver changed back then on May 29th.
The connection between the Wiggett and Chute families is interesting:
Thomas Lobb Chute married Anne Wiggett in 1753. Their eldest son William inherited the Vyne in 1790 and married Eliza Smith in 1794. She was a considerable and enlightened lady, the couple, however, were unable to have children.
The Rev. James Wiggett (1755-1839) was widowed in 1802 and left with 7 children to look after. Whilst this put a heavy burden on his somewhat limited finances, his cousin William Chute was wealthy. A pragmatic decision was taken in 1803 whereby James Wiggett's youngest daughter Caroline, aged 3, should be adopted by William and Eliza.
When Caroline was 12 contact between the two families was re-established and her elder brother William Lyde Wiggett developed a close friendship with the Chutes. William Chute (Eliza's husband) died in 1824 and the Vyne passed to his brother Thomas. Thomas, however, had no interest in the house and allowed Eliza to carry on living there till her death in 1842. When Thomas died in 1827 he left the house and estate to William Wiggett (Carloline's elder brother) on condition that William adopted the Chute name. Henceforth he was known as William Wiggett Chute and it is his arms and crests that are engraved on this extraordinary pot.
Essay
The outstanding quality of this pot is evident in the chasing. Paul Storr's reputation as the most accomplished silversmith of the 19th century is justified by the technical brilliance of the workmanship. This is the rococo style re-interpreted in unashamed splendour. The revival of the rococo genre sat alongside grand classicism of the regency period; appearing some time around 1810 it lasted well in to the reign of Queen Victoria. The coffee pot was made just two years before Storr retired. At a little over 45 oz it is iimediately obvious that no expense was spared in its creation.
