{"product_id":"the-yates-gold-cup","title":"The Yates Gold Cup","description":"Remarkable in scale and artistry, this George III-style 18k gold cup and cover was created by the famed London silversmith Hannah Northcote. Set on a circular foot and taking the form of a vase, the cup features two leaf-capped handles and a detachable domed cover crowned with a bud finial. Astounding in craftsmanship given the scarcity of gold at the time of its creation, the sentimental message engraved within the frontal cartouche indicates the prestigious provenance that further distinguishes this cup. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Originally commissioned by Robert Peel, the father of 19th-century British Prime Minister Robert Peel, the gold cup was intended to serve as a symbol of gratitude for Peel’s business partner and father-in-law, William Yates. Yates and Peel successfully married genius technological innovation and entrepreneurship, creating the world’s most successful fabric production factory at a time when most English fabrics were still crafted in the home. Both men were highly successful businessmen, prolific philanthropists and early champions of workers’ rights. By 1800, Peel was one of only ten millionaires in Britain.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e When Hannah Northcote, one of the few female London silversmiths of her time, received Peel’s important commission, she created this remarkable gold cup, which serves as the epitome her skill and craftsmanship. The beautiful vase shape is only improved by the detachable cover with engraved foliage and inscription commemorating the businessman’s retirement. Undoubtedly, the cup was received with immense gratitude and honor, a sentiment that is illustrated through William Yates’ will: \u003cem\u003e“My gold cup presented to me by my late partners upon the occasion of my retiring from trade and which I give and bequeath to Jonathan Yates.”\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e After the cup’s departure from the Yates family, it became a part of the highly prestigious collection of Mahdi Al Tajir, the world’s most important 20th-century silver collector. Al Tajir spared no expense in building his extraordinary collection, utilizing the wealth he built as oil minister for the United Arab Emirates’ burgeoning oil and gas industry. He exhibited his expansive collection at Christie’s in 1989 as part of their premier exhibit \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rauantiques.my.salesforce.com\/sfc\/p\/#A0000000JY02\/a\/8X0000001iEb\/lu42C61tPyC9ZWfF.rpenisIynYVY2XX9paDL7doDyg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Glory of the Goldsmith: Magnificent Gold and Silver from the Al-Tajir Collection\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hallmarked London 1801 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Inscribed “This Cup was presented to WILLIAM YATES ESQ. by his late Partners as a Token of Respect expressive of high Sense entertained by them, of his important Services rendered the concern after he declined having a Share in the Business January: 1. 1802” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 10 1\/4” high x 7 1\/2” wide x 4 3\/4” deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Presented to William Yates (1739-18 13) by his former partners on his leaving the business\u003cbr\u003e Bequeathed in his will to his son Lt. General Jonathan Yates (1780-1 854).\u003cbr\u003e Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 17 November 1955, lot 162.\u003cbr\u003e Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 7 March 1957, lot 102.\u003cbr\u003e The 7th Earl of Radnor's Marriage Settlement; Christie's, London, 24 November 1971, lot 73.\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection of Mahdi Al-Tajir.\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, London.\u003cbr\u003e MSR, New Orleans. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e The will of William Yates, Public Record Office Mss. PROB 11\/155o\/430 ‘...my gold cup presented to me by my late partners upon the occasion of my retiring from trade and which I give and bequeath to Jonathan Yates’.","brand":"MSR","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50275024404770,"sku":"31-6605","price":178500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0961\/6710\/0706\/files\/31-6605_1_248a8a71-4084-4e18-97c1-566af9864c97.png?v=1756231489","url":"https:\/\/banksyarts.com\/products\/the-yates-gold-cup","provider":"The Louvre of America","version":"1.0","type":"link"}