A Victorian Silver Inkstand made in Madras by Peter Orr and Sons in 1880

A Victorian Silver Inkstand made in Madras by Peter Orr and Sons in 1880 for Presentation to the 3^rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, Governor of Madras and Convenor of the “Duke’s Own Volunteer Artillery” Upon his Leaving the Governorship and Returning to England

Provenance

 Made in Bombay, 1880, by Peter Orr and Sons to the order of Major J. G. Coleman, commander of the Duke’s Own Artillery to commemorate the Duke’s service upon his retirement to England

Almost certainly taken by the Duke to Stowe House in Buckinghamshire and probably sold in the contents sales there of 1921 and 1922.

This outstanding inkstand incorporates both military symbolism (see for example the field gun mount applied to the drawer, grenade finials and regimental insignia) and heraldic detailing reflecting the high status of the gentleman for whom it was made. The inkwells have ducal coronet finials and the Duke’s heraldic supporters flank the central cartouche. The stand bears an inscription stating:

‘His grace the Duke of Buckingham & Chandos G.C.S.I. C.I.E, a souvenir from J. G. Coleman, Major, commanding Duke’s own volunteer artillery, Madras November 1880’.

Although specific references to the inkstand have not been revealed in the newspapers, it is certain that the piece would have been presented as part of the lavish celebrations held to mark the end of the Duke’s governorship in 1880. These events were widely covered in the press at the time and give some kind of an indication of the respect the Duke enjoyed amongst his men and the local population as well. The Civil and Military Gazette, 20^th of November 1880, carried a long report on the celebrations which had involved 100 people meeting to pay their respects to the Duke:

‘The Hon’ble Mir Humayan Jah Bahadoor said, that the services of his Grace during the five years of his connection with this presidency had been very valuable. He proposed that the ‘Native community of Madras entertain a high sense of the services rendered to them by his Grace the Governor, and are desirous of testifying to his Grace their appreciation of his Grace’s services in a fitting manner’. This was seconded by Mr P. Strinivasa Row, who said that his Grace had travelled all over the famine-stricken localities, had  greatly mitigated misery, and had been very instrumental in saving life……….Mr J. G. Coleman said that his Grace’s services had been very valuable, and that though Governors might come and Governors might go, a Governor like the Duke was not likely to be seen again’.

The meeting ended with discussions about a suitable memorial to the Duke, ideas including a statue being proposed by Coleman and others and a subscription was started on the spot. Clearly Coleman decided that given his particularly close involvement with the Duke he needed to present him with a more personal gift as well and so the present inkstand was commissioned. The Madras Weekly Mail, 30^th of March 1887, carried a report on the history of the volunteer movement in India. The article stated that:

‘Four volunteer officers deserve special mention for the money, time and labour devoted by them to the cause. The first was the late Colonel J. G. Coleman, who was connected with the movement from the very first. In July 1878 he resigned his connection with the Madras Volunteer Guards after a service of twenty-one years with the Corps. During that period, besides being zealous in the performance of his duties he materially helped the funds of the Regiment. He responded the call of the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, and by his personal influence raised a Battery of Artillery (composed of seventy stalwart East Indians), of which he became the Major Commandant, the newly formed corps being named “The Duke’s Own Volunteer Artillery”’.

Stowe House

One of the greatest of all English country houses, Stowe House was constructed and reconstructed three times from the late 17^th century onwards, the continual extensions to the house eventually leading to the building which survives to this day as Stowe School. One of the most famous country house sales of all time took place at Stowe in 1848 but such was the importance of the collection and the keen eyes of the family that there were also enormous dispersal sales by auction in 1921 and 1922 and it is very likely that the present inkstand left the family at this point.

As well as Stowe, the family maintained a fine London town house, Chandos House, in Queen Anne Street, Marylebone.

Peter Orr and Sons

Established in Madras (now Chennai) in 1849, Peter Orr and Sons had an elite clientele consisting largely of the royal family and high ranking officers looking for presentation silver, jewellery and associated items in the area. An advert for the firm from the Courier and West End Advertiser, 11^th of March 1876, is illustrated overleaf.

The historic Orr shopfront has been the subject of attempted preservation orders and was damaged due to work on the metro rail system in 2012. The firm still operates as a jeweller, specialising in luxury watches, to this day.