Jewellery, Watches, Antiquities and Objects of Vertu

Of literary interest: A dagger, carried on stage by the actor William Charles Macready and later presented to his close friend Charles Dickens, the flattened diamond section blade frost-etched with intricate floral strap work and sprays of oak leaves around presentation inscription reading “This dagger worn in the play of Philip Van Artevelde, by William Macready, was given by him on his retirement from the stage, to his friend Charles Dickens, Feby 26th 1851”; the hilt having a straight cross-guard with oval down-turned quillions, plain ferrule, oval reeded pommell, and ribbed grip of polished bone; the leather scabbard having chape, middle mount and top locket with linear details, and supporting two opposing rings and a frog stud, blade length 28.5cm. £600-£800

William Charles Macready (1793-1873) was arguably the greatest Shakespearean actor of the Victorian age. The son of a theatre manager and an actress, he first took to the boards in Birmingham in 1810, playing Romeo, and made his London debut in 1816. Whilst he performed throughout his life, he also took on the management of Covent Garden theatre in 1837, and later Drury Lane Theatre, and through these roles encouraged the creation of new ‘modern English drama’. Macready was one of the author Charles Dickens’ most intimate friends. The two acted as godfathers to each other’s children and when, in 1842, Dickens and his wife visited America, Macready took responsibility for the care of their children. Macready took leave of the stage in a farewell performance of Macbeth at Drury Lane on 26th February 1851.

Philip Van Artevelde (1340-1382) was a leader in Ghent during the burgher’s rebellion against Count Louis II of Flanders. The battle of Beverhoutsveld, in 1831, led to the capture of Bruges and most of Flanders by the rebels, but Philip was killed at the battle of Roosebeke, in 1382. His body was displayed before the French king Charles VI and then hung from a tree. In 1834 his life was commemorated in a tragic play by Sir Henry Taylor, in which William Macready played the title role.