A George III silver circular pedestal basket by Paul Storr, hallmarked London 1801, the reed moulded swing handle centred by an oval wreath and issuing from acanthus fronds, a gadrooned rim, a lattice pierced band and on a conical foot, presentation engraved beneath the rim, Engraved To James Hack Tuke. In Memorial of his Devoted Exertions for the relief of Irish Distress in the Famine Years of 1846.. 1847.. 1848.. H.C. 20.. VII 1848 . James Hack Tuke (1819-1896), a prominent Quaker, was educated at the Religious Society of Friends school in York, and after working for a time in his father's wholesale tea business, became in 1852 a partner in the banking firm of Sharples and Co., and went to live at Hitchin in Hertfordshire. For eighteen years he was treasurer of the Friends Foreign Mission Association, and for eight years chairman of the Friends Central Education Board. But he is chiefly remembered for his philanthropic work in Ireland, which was in a great measure the result of a visit to Connaught in 1847, and of the scenes of distress which he there witnessed. In addition to relief, his eye-witness testimony proved invaluable in bringing further relief to the west of Ireland.
30.5cm (12 in) diameter
961gm (30.9 oz)
£3975