ROYAL. Queen Charlotte's Wine Coolers. An important pair of George III Wine Coolers made in London in 1804 by Robert Garrard.

The Wine Coolers are of Classical Campana form and stand on a circular stepped foot decorated with gadrooning.  The lower section of the main body displays a wide lobed band.  The plain section above is engraved on one side with the personal Armorial, as opposed to the Royal State Armorial,  of Her Majesty Queen Charlotte, Queen Consort of King George III.  The reverse is engraved with the Armorial of Milman quartering Dyer for Sir Francis Milman, 1st Baronet (1746-1821), surrounded by a finely executed cartouche of drapery mantling.  The two side drop handles are attached to the main body with well modelled lion mask mouldings.  The sides rise to an everted rim decorated with lobing and the removable plain collar is engraved on one side with the cipher of Queen Charlotte, CR - Charlotte Regina,  below the Sovereign's Crown.  The other side is engraved with the Crest of Milman.  Each has a removable central bottle cylinder.  The Coolers are in quite excellent condition, are well marked on each piece and are of a very good weight and gauge.

Height of the Wine Coolers: 9.5 inches.

Diameter at the rim: 8.5 inches.

Total Weight: 165 oz the pair.

Provenance - 

- Given by Her Majesty Queen Charlotte to Sir Francis Milman Bart

- Sold by a descendant of Sir Francis Milman to Sir William Clayton Russon circa 1946.

- Thence by descent until sold in 2024.

- With Mary Cooke Antiques Limited October 2024

SIR FRANCIS MILMAN - 1ST BARONET ( 1746-1821 )

Sir Francis Milman Bart M.D. was the son of a clergyman and was born in Devonshire in 1746.  He was educated at Exeter College, Oxford.  In 1771, he was elected one of the Radcliffe travelling fellows and whilst abroad was called into attendance on the Duke of Gloucester in Rome.  He was appointed to the Middlesex Hospital ( 1777-1779) and a fellow of the College of Physicians in 1778.  He established a practice in London and in 1785 was made physician extraordinary to the King's household and in 1796 joint physician to the household.  He was created a baronet in 1800 and at about the same time he became Physician Extraordinary to the King, then shortly afterwards Physician in Ordinary to Queen Charlotte, and in 1806 he became Physician in Ordinary to the King.  He remained close to Queen Charlotte and was in attendance in the period up to her death and he witnessed her signing her last Will, a week before she died.    Sir Francis died at his seat, Pinner Grove, Middlesex, 24th June 1821 and is buried in the Old Church in Chelsea.

Sir Francis attended George III during his frequent bouts of illness, particularly his mental illnesses.  His illness is well documented with various books being written and the film, "The Madness of King George", being made in 1994, and starring Nigel Hawthorn and Helen Mirren.  These were almost certainly a touching gift of gratitude and thanks to Sir Francis, from the Queen, during a period which caused Queen Charlotte a great deal of worry and anxiety.

ROBERT GARRARD - THE MAKER

The Company that was to become Garrard was founded by George Wickes (1698-1761) who entered his mark at Goldsmiths' Hall in 1722.  The Company moved to Panton Street, off Haymarket, in 1735, as a goldsmith and provider of jewellery and other luxury items to aristocratic patrons.  Wickes was an accomplished silversmith who gained the patronage of Frederick, Prince of Wales.  Two apprentices of Wickes, John Parker and Edward Wakelin, purchased the company following Wickes' retirement in 1760, replaced by John Wakelin and William Taylor in 1776.  Following the death of Taylor, Robert Garrard became a partner in 1792.  Garrard took sole control of the firm in 1802, being patronised by the Royal family.  In 1843 Queen Victoria appointed Garrard as the first ever official Crown Jeweller, leading to the production of numerous pieces of silverware and jewellery for the Royal family, as well as the upkeep of the Crown Jewels.