William Parker of Holborn (1772-1841)
Set of Four Model Cannon, ENGLAND, circa 1815
48 x 30 x 23 cm
19 x 11 ¾ x 9 in
Barrell length: 48 cm, 19 in
19 x 11 ¾ x 9 in
Barrell length: 48 cm, 19 in
650a
Further images
A set of four model cannon each comprising of a turned brass barrel with an engraved cipher, four reinforcing rings and bulbous muzzle. Mounted on black wooden truck carriages with...
A set of four model cannon each comprising of a turned brass barrel with an engraved cipher, four reinforcing rings and bulbous muzzle. Mounted on black wooden truck carriages with corresponding painted ciphers.
William Parker of Holborn:
William Parker (1772-1841) of 233 High Holborn, London, was a celebrated gunmaker to King William IV, and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. He was famed for his duelling pistols and as well as producing functional weaponry, he also designed ceremonial objects for the aristocracy, such as these cannon. Beyond the patronage of royalty, Parker gained commissions from the Tower of London, East India Trading Company, Hudson Bay Company and many other notable clients from across the globe.
Cipher:
The crown pictured in the cipher is a marquess’ coronet. The rank is distinguishable through the design; four silver balls, known as pearls, interspersed with four strawberry leaves around the circumference of the coronet. After royalty, a marquis was the second highest ranking male member of the British aristocracy, below only a duke. At the time of the cannon creation, there were three active marquisates in the United Kingdom beginning with the letter ‘C’; Camden of London, Cholmondeley of Cheshire and Conyngham of Donegal.
Both the Marquess of Conyngham (1766-1832) and the Marquess of Camden (1759-1840) saw military action in Ireland. John Jeffreys Pratt, the 1st Marquess of Camden was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1795. He was a staunch opponent to Catholic Emancipation, and his oppressive rule sparked the Irish Rebellion of 1798. He was widely condemned for his brutal treatment towards Republicans and resigned in scandal after crushing the uprising. He later became Secretary of State for War and was made a marquess in 1812.
George James Cholmondeley, the 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley (1749-1827) was a direct descendant of Sir Horace Walpole, the first prime minister of Great Britain and was said to be the inspiration for the character of Rawdon Crawley in William Makepeace Thackeray’s 1848 novel Vanity Fair. In the early 19th century, he commissioned a major renovation of Cholmondeley Castle which included the installation of an armoury in a gothic baronialist style. The armoury was furnished by some of the finest designers in Regency England, including George Bullock (d. 1818) and its opening was noted in the press. Given the importance of the project, the attention to detail and the care taken by the Marquess, it is possible that William Parker designed this set of cannon for the armoury at Cholmondeley Castle.
William Parker of Holborn:
William Parker (1772-1841) of 233 High Holborn, London, was a celebrated gunmaker to King William IV, and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. He was famed for his duelling pistols and as well as producing functional weaponry, he also designed ceremonial objects for the aristocracy, such as these cannon. Beyond the patronage of royalty, Parker gained commissions from the Tower of London, East India Trading Company, Hudson Bay Company and many other notable clients from across the globe.
Cipher:
The crown pictured in the cipher is a marquess’ coronet. The rank is distinguishable through the design; four silver balls, known as pearls, interspersed with four strawberry leaves around the circumference of the coronet. After royalty, a marquis was the second highest ranking male member of the British aristocracy, below only a duke. At the time of the cannon creation, there were three active marquisates in the United Kingdom beginning with the letter ‘C’; Camden of London, Cholmondeley of Cheshire and Conyngham of Donegal.
Both the Marquess of Conyngham (1766-1832) and the Marquess of Camden (1759-1840) saw military action in Ireland. John Jeffreys Pratt, the 1st Marquess of Camden was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1795. He was a staunch opponent to Catholic Emancipation, and his oppressive rule sparked the Irish Rebellion of 1798. He was widely condemned for his brutal treatment towards Republicans and resigned in scandal after crushing the uprising. He later became Secretary of State for War and was made a marquess in 1812.
George James Cholmondeley, the 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley (1749-1827) was a direct descendant of Sir Horace Walpole, the first prime minister of Great Britain and was said to be the inspiration for the character of Rawdon Crawley in William Makepeace Thackeray’s 1848 novel Vanity Fair. In the early 19th century, he commissioned a major renovation of Cholmondeley Castle which included the installation of an armoury in a gothic baronialist style. The armoury was furnished by some of the finest designers in Regency England, including George Bullock (d. 1818) and its opening was noted in the press. Given the importance of the project, the attention to detail and the care taken by the Marquess, it is possible that William Parker designed this set of cannon for the armoury at Cholmondeley Castle.