Lot 604
A pair of George III candlesticks
Auction: 25 September 2019 at 11:00 BST
Description
Thomas Blagden & Co, Sheffield 1820, of traditional form, heavily decorated with scroll and foliate detail, the tapered knopped stem with foliate fringe, on a domed and spreading shaped circular base with shell and scroll details, with loaded bases, removable sconces, engraved crest and foliate A to base (loaded) (2)
Dimensions
Height: 32.5cm
Footnote
By family repute, these candlesticks are believed to have been gifted by HRH Prince Augustus Frederick (6th son of King George III) to the Revd. William Gunn (1750-1841).
The only son of George III who did not pursue a naval career, Prince Augustus met and married Lady Augusta, the 2nd daughter of the Earl of Dunmore, whilst travelling in Italy in 1793. The pair were covertly married in the Hotel Sarmiento in Rome by Rev William Gunn before returning to England where they married for a second time on the 5th of December 1793 at St George's, Westminster. They did so with their identities partially concealed and with George III unaware.
Due to the King's disapproval, both ceremonies were later annulled in 1794 in accordance with the Royal Marriage Act of 1772. Augustus Frederick and Lady Augusta continued, however, to live together until 1801 when the former received a grant from parliament and they separated. Lady Augusta now held custody of their two children, Augustus Frederick and Augusta Emma d'Este, receiving a maintenance of £4000 each year. Yet, born on the 13th of January 1794, her son's date of birth fell before the annulment. Consequently, he was considered illegitimate. In 1831 at the age of 37, Augustus Frederick d'Este contested this claim of illegitimacy citing William Gunn, his former officiant, as his 'most important evidence' in the matter. The case continued beyond Gunn's death and was taken up by his son, John Gunn.
Revd. William Gunn was himself born in Guildford, Surrey in 1750 before travelling to attend Fletcher's private school in Kingston-upon-Thames. In 1774, Gunn enrolled in Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge as a sizar before receiving his Bachelor of Divinity in 1795, having graduating as a 10-year-man. In 1829, he received the vicarage of Gorleston, Suffolk.
In February 2006 Lyon & Turnbull sold a collection of diaries, manuscripts and letters belonging to Revd Gunn (Sale 135, Lot 336) which fetched £76,550 (inc. buyer's premium). Many referenced his time while on the Grand Tour spent with Prince Augustus, as well as his evolvement in Augustus Frederick d'Este's claim as rightful heir to the Dukedom of Sussex, the Earldom of Inverness and the Barony of Arklow.