13th Jun, 2024 10:30

Summer Specialist Sale

 
Lot 168
 

Bristol Interest – Bristol Riots truncheon R. Bryant Oct 30 1831

Bristol Interest – William IV brass ball-headed truncheon or tipstaff, the shaft engraved ‘R Bryant BRISTOL Oct 30 1831’ (the date of the Bristol Riots), with treen handle, 33cm long, together with three related books - 'City Under Fire' by Geoffrey Amey, 'Hotheads and Heroes' by Peter Macdonald and 'The Bristol Riots' by Susan Thomas

The Bristol riots of 29th – 31st October 1831 were some of the largest and most significant in British history. Incensed by local magistrate Sir Charles Wetherall’s claim that Bristol was against electoral reform, hundreds took to the streets on 29 October, attacking prominent buildings culminating in the looting and burning of the Mansion House. In response, on the morning of October 30th, the Mayor of Bristol, Charles Pinney ordered a posse comitatus to be formed. This had little immediate effect as fewer than 200 volunteers answered the call and the night of the October 30th saw even worse disorder, including the burning of properties in and around Queen Square and the freeing of prisoners in the city's jails. This provoked the middle class into action and some 3,000 men reported for duty in the posse comitatus on the following morning.

Sold for £1,700


 

Bristol Interest – William IV brass ball-headed truncheon or tipstaff, the shaft engraved ‘R Bryant BRISTOL Oct 30 1831’ (the date of the Bristol Riots), with treen handle, 33cm long, together with three related books - 'City Under Fire' by Geoffrey Amey, 'Hotheads and Heroes' by Peter Macdonald and 'The Bristol Riots' by Susan Thomas

The Bristol riots of 29th – 31st October 1831 were some of the largest and most significant in British history. Incensed by local magistrate Sir Charles Wetherall’s claim that Bristol was against electoral reform, hundreds took to the streets on 29 October, attacking prominent buildings culminating in the looting and burning of the Mansion House. In response, on the morning of October 30th, the Mayor of Bristol, Charles Pinney ordered a posse comitatus to be formed. This had little immediate effect as fewer than 200 volunteers answered the call and the night of the October 30th saw even worse disorder, including the burning of properties in and around Queen Square and the freeing of prisoners in the city's jails. This provoked the middle class into action and some 3,000 men reported for duty in the posse comitatus on the following morning.

Auction: Summer Specialist Sale, 13th Jun, 2024

Our Summer Specialist Sale of Fine Furniture, Modern Design, Paintings, Prints, Silver, Jewellery, Watches, Ceramics, Glassware & other Collectors

Highlights included an Austral Islands Cheif's staff £15,500, a Large Minton majolica elephant four-branch candelabrum centrepiece £6,200, an Asscher cut diamond (approx. 4.5 carats) platinum ring £11,500, The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, K.C.S.I £12,500, and an early 19th century double-sided micromosaic table box £11,000.

 

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Wednesday 12th June - 10am till 5pm

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