Presentation Ewer

Ewer with inverted pyriform body with tall neck and highly arched spout on stepped circular base with S-scroll handle, neck ornamented with sculptural group of knight on horseback, page, and lance-bearer among applied grapevines, oak leaves, and fruit, with mythical creatures, Renaissance Revival strapwork and leafage applied to main body, and cast and applied mythological figures on base just below body. Inscription: Engraved on central section: PRESENTED BY / the British Government. / AS A TOKEN OF THEIR SINCERE GRATITUDE AND ESTEEM, TO / HENERY GRINNELL OF NEW YORK. / through whose exertions and munificence / THE AMERICAN ARTIC EXPEDITION / In search of SIR JOHN FRANKLIN and the OFFICERS and CREW of / HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S SHIPS EREBUS AND TERROR, / was undertaken and carried into execution / between the years 1850 and 1855. Engraved in second reserve: PRESENTED / BY / Henry Grinnell / to his son / ROBERT M. GRINNELL / and his wife SOPHIE V.A. GRINNELL / JUNE TWENTY-FIFTH / Eighteen hundred / and seventy three. Engraved in third reserve: PRESENTED / BY / Robert Minturn Grinnel l /TO / THE / METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART / 1898. Mark: Engraved on central section: PRESENTED BY / the British Government. / AS A TOKEN OF THEIR SINCERE GRATITUDE AND ESTEEM, TO / HENERY GRINNELL OF NEW YORK. / through whose exertions and munificence / THE AMERICAN ARTIC EXPEDITION / In search of SIR JOHN FRANKLIN and the OFFICERS and CREW of / HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S SHIPS EREBUS AND TERROR, / was undertaken and carried into execution / between the years 1850 and 1855. Engraved in second reserve: PRESENTED / BY / Henry Grinnell / to his son / ROBERT M. GRINNELL / and his wife SOPHIE V.A. GRINNELL / JUNE TWENTY-FIFTH / Eighteen hundred / and seventy three. Engraved in third reserve: PRESENTED / BY / Robert Minturn Grinnel l /TO / THE / METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART / 1898.