English Horn Beaker by Nathaniel Spilman for "The Society of Universal Goodwill"

Origin: Great Yarmouth / Norwich, England
Circa: 1784-1792
Size: 5"H x 4 1/2"D
This, I believe, is the finest and most eloborately decoarted horn beaker extant. The beaker is composed in the round and carved with the precision of a copper engraver. The Society of Universal Goodwill was founded in Norwich/Yarmouth in 1784 by Dr. John Murray and originally named The Scots Society. The front contains an armorial with a rising sun and then quartered with animals reprerenting different continents; Europe is represented by the sheep, Asia by an Elephant, Africa by an ostrich and America by a beaver. Below this is a jew's harp. This is framed by the motto, "Be Ye Wise As Serpents And Harmless As Doves." Above reads "Love Ye The Stranger." It is signed on the sides, "Nat. Spilman / South(?) Sea(?) Yarmouth" The back panel illustrates a man aiding a distressed woman in a library with checkered floor, lecturn, globe and ewer (possibly Masonic).

Other horn beakers by Spilman are in the National Maritime Museum, London, U.K., and the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, U.K.

The last two images show this beaker next to another Spilman beaker - that one carved for a hairdresser in Norwich. Link here.

Condition: Excellent. Bottom silver band slightly loose.

Price: SOLD

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