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Boer War Silver Salver - Relief of Mafeking
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Reference: S1163
Period: Edward VII
Year: 1902
Silversmith: Barker Brothers
Place: Birmingham
Price: $ 2 150.00
Weight: 500 grams
Dimensions: 27cm diameter
Condition: Excellent, no signs of wear. The inscription is crisp.
Description: An important piece of Boer War memorabilia, celebrating the relief of Mafeking. A piecrust salver with beaded border and scrolled engraving. The hallmarks are clear, makers mark BB, possibly Barker Brothers.
The salver has the crest of the Imperial Light Horse (ILH), which was raised in Johannesburg by English speaking South Africans to fight as part of the "Uitlander Army", on the side of the British during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). The crest has 2 crossed flags (Union Jack and Transvaal Republic).
The inscription reads " Officers Patrol, who rode with Major Karri Davies into Mafeking on the night of May 16th 1900. J Dryden, AB Duirs, EW Warby, J Emerton, LM Harvey, G Seymour, HF Francis, EA Betton. Presented to HF Francis by Major Karri Davies."
Major Davies was 2IC of the ILH, and was quite a character. He was a key participant of the Jameson Raid, and spent time in prison after its disasterous end. This salver commemorates his leading the first English contingent into Mafeking, thus ending the siege after 217 days. He also led a famous patrol that disabled 2 Boer "Long Tom" artillery guns on Gun Hill, during the siege of Ladismith. When challenged by a Boer picket, Major Davies bellowed the command "Fix bayonets and charge the buggers" (The Boer War, Thomas Pakenham, pg 271), even though the ILH never carried bayonets - The Boers fled.
Note - We have just acquired another example of this piece, this one was presented to J Emerton - please contact us if you are interested.
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Boer War salver
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Salver foot
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Detail
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Hallmark
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Salver 2
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Inscription detail
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