Covered Cup

Two-handled covered cup on a stepped circular foot; engraved on opposite sides with an armorial device of a baron (coronet of four pearls) featuring a tower crest and motto "AVANCEZ" and a lengthy inscription detailing its presentation by the Corporation of the City of London to Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill for "the Skill, Bravery, and Exertions so eminently displayed" in the Battle of Vitoria on June 21, 1813. Applied decoration on raised body includes a reeded midband and alternating castings of female busts and anthemions on pedestals around its rounded bottom. Stepped bell-shaped cover has similar applied ornament and an urn finial soldered in place. Hollow, double C-scroll handles have a scrolled acanthus leaf on top and a split scroll lower terminal with incurved oval strut. Cover is stamped on collar exterior with "F•W" in a curvilinear surround. Underside of rounded bottom struck with four marks around centerpoint, the same "F•W" mark along with a lion passant, crowned leopard's head, and raised serif "u", all in curvilinear surrounds.