Lot 68
THE HENRY BENEDICT, CARDINAL DUKE OF YORK SERMON CASE
Jacobite, Stuart, and Scottish Applied Arts | 429
Auction: 13 May 2015 at 12:00 BST
Description
An important mid-18th century silver sermon case unmarked, probably Italian, the simple rectangular hinged case cover finely engraved with the full armorials of Henry Benedict, Cardinal Duke of York, the reverse with applied cross centrally set with an emerald cut garnet, simple shaped hinged clasp, interior plain
Dimensions
18cm wide, 23.5cm high, weight 25oz
Footnote
Notes:
Although an important member of the Stuart family, relics and personal property of Henry Benedict, Cardinal Duke of York, the younger brother of Charles Edward Stuart, are extremely rare. After denouncing his Stuart birth right he was perhaps not as public a face of the uprisings, as may be expected. It is well recorded he worked in the background on his father's and brother's behalf. A fine full length portrait by Blanchet of him in his Cardinal’s robes along with his silver gilt rosewater laver and basin were in the Duke of Hamilton's collection, sold through the famous Hamilton Palace sale of 1882, the latter now on loan to the National Museum of Scotland.
Henry lived his life in relative comfort, in comparison to his brother who was plagued by debts, but his fortunes changed dramatically with the French Revolution, when, in 1799, his residence in Frascati was ransacked and he barely escaped with his life. He eventually settled in Venice and is recorded supporting his income by selling family and personal silver and art. It is likely this sermon case and scent flask were sold at this time to fund his lifestyle. Old and infirm, it was undoubtedly an insult to his status, but one which the touring nobles of Europe were pleased to support by visiting and entertaining him, and, in rare circumstances, buying such personal and Jacobite relics.
Perhaps not as highly celebrated within the uprisings, it was not until the death of Henry Benedict in 1807 that the Hanoverian reign could finally consider the possible claim of the Stuarts to the throne extinguished.