An Important Pair of Copper-gilt wine coolers circa 1830. ( English c. 1830 )

By BIBO |

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Campana Form, on a circular foot, vine leaf handles, floral tied reeded rim, with original detachable collar & liner.
Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum (Nothing is great unless it be good)
The arms are those of Cooper impaling Cock for the eminent surgeon, Astley Paston Cooper (1768-1841) who was married firstly in 1791 to Anne (d.1827) daughter of Thomas Cock, a wealthy Hamburg merchant. Cooper who studied anatomy and surgery under John Hunter and Henry Cline, was appointed surgeon to Guy’s Hospital, London, in 1800.
A prolific writer and renowned lecturer on medical matters, he made many lasting contributions in various fields of his profession, including otology and vascular surgery. In 1820 he was summoned to attend George IV for the removal of a cyst, the operation proved so effective that he was soon afterward created a baronet. Sir Astley was much affected by the death of his wife in 1827 after which he resolved to retire. The following year, however, he returned to his duties and was subsequently married to his second wife, Catherine Jones (d.1870).

He was elected in 1830 to the position of vice-president to the Royal Society. Sir Astley died in 1841 and was interred beneath Guy’s Hospital Chapel. A marble monument by the sculptor Edward Hodges Baily was erected to his memory in the South Transept of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London.