Lot 161
A RARE, EARLY VICTORIAN "CASTLETOP" CHRISTENING MUG
with a view of Torquay in low relief on the front, flanked by chased floral scrolls and flowers, the base inscribed "Charles Domett Egerton Smith A Christening Gift from his Godfather John Neeld Esq., M.P. Torquay 18th April 1842, the view stamped along the bottom "JAMES BRAHAM.STRAND.TORQUAY", by Taylor and Perry, Birmingham 1840; 3.1" (8 cms) high; 3.5 oz
*Sir John Neeld (1805-1891), 1st Baronet was member of parliament for Cricklade between 1835 and 1859, and Chippenham, Wiltshire between 1865 and 1868. He was one of the five sons of Joseph Neeld and his wife Mary. Educated at Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1840 he was founder member of the Conservative Club and in 1845 he was appointed to the office of Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to Queen Victoria - for which he was created 1st Baronet Need and entitled to the style "Sir John Neeld", in 1859.
