ADAM'S - SILVER FROM THE COLLECTION OF JIMMY WELDON May 16th 2017 (Click Lot title for more images and to Place Bid)

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101 A WILLIAMITE TOASTING GOBLET, DUBLIN C.1775,

mark of John Lloyd, of plain ovoid form on waisted stem terminating

in spreading circular foot, inscribed “The Glorious and Immortal

Memory of KingWilliam”, (c.108.8g). 9.5cm, 5.5cm diameter

€ 500 - 800

The Orange Order founded in CountyArmagh in 1795, as a Prot-

estant fraternal organisation, signified a resurgence of the‘cult of

William’ and‘williamite’ iconography within the society of the 18th

century, often expressed as in this present example through objects of

decorative art.The order emerged in response to the sectarian conflict

between Catholic and Protestants in Northern Ireland in the late 18th

century.Throughout the 1780s, sectarian tension had been building

in CountyArmagh, largely due to the relaxation of the Penal Laws

established to force Irish Roman Catholics and Protestant dissenters

to accept the reformed religious doctrine as decreed by theAnglican

Church and the Church of Ireland.

The Orange Order functioned as a way to protect and promote prot-

estant ascendency in the region.They solidified their religious position

within society through the association withWilliam of Orange, the

Dutch born Protestant king who defeated the Catholic King JamesVII

& II during theWilliamiteWar in Ireland 1688-1691.The order was

named in tribute to him and the legacy of his victory. By mythologiz-

ing the figure ofWilliam as a champion of their struggle, they created

a powerful iconography which has sustained itself to present day.The

production of toasting goblets such as this present example decorated

with inscriptions and imagery associated withWilliam reinforced the

symbolism of the order founded in memory of late Protestant king.

The implicit intention of the name,‘toasting goblet’, becomes explicit

in the very action of‘toasting’ toWilliam’s continued and uninterrupt-

ed‘Glorious Memory’ within the Orange Lodges.

10th May 1775:Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia names George

Washington as Supreme Commander.

102 AN IRISH GEORGE III BRIGHT CUT MEAT SKEWER,

Dublin c.1785, mark ofAmbrose Boxwell, crested, (c.62g). 28cm

long

€ 250 - 350