A very rare Heraldic Game Skewer made in London in 1853 by John Samuel Hunt.
A very rare Heraldic Game Skewer made in London in 1853 by John Samuel Hunt.
375599
The Skewer is modelled in the "Game" size, with tapering blade and a very finely modelled cast end. The Skewer is in excellent condition, with a crisp set of hallmarks. Heraldic Skewers are very rare and unique to the particular family whose Crest is on the end.
The Crest is that of Hugh Robert Hughes of Kinmel and Dinorben (1827-1911). He inherited the family fortune in 1852 - this was substantially derived from mines and in particular Parys mountain which became the biggest copper mine in Europe and which only ceased to operate effectively in 1904. In 1831 the then owner of the estates William Lewis Hughes (1767-1852) was created Baron Dinorben. The 1st Baron Dinorben was succeeded by his son, the 2nd Baron, but the latter was already ill and died only 8 months after his father. This meant the peerage became extinct but the estates and income were inherited by Hugh Robert Hughes (nephew of the 1st Baron and cousin of 2nd Baron).
Hugh Robert Hughes was nicknamed HRH due both to his initials and his wealth. He served as High Sherriff of Anglesey in 1855 and Flintshire in 1871 as well as serving as a Justice of the Peace in both counties. In 1871 he was also created Lord Lieutenant of Flintshire. However his main claim to fame is his extensive knowledge of Welsh heraldry and genealogy, especially that of families in North Wales. He was a regular contributor to Bye-Gones and was a regular correspondent with other enthusiasts and authorities.
In 1853 he married the Hon. Florentia Emily Liddell, 2nd daughter of the 2nd Baron Ravensworth, and the couple had 2 sons and five daughters. It is interesting that Hughes reinterpreted the family crest "Out of a ducal coronet Or. a demi lion rampant argent holding between the paws a rose Gules slipped proper" when he commissioned these skewers, and presumably other pieces too and replaced the generic coronet that formed part of his crest with that of the Barony held by his uncle and cousin but not by him.
Length:8.5 inches, 21.25 cm.
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.marycooke.co.uk/british-silver-post-1830/a-very-rare-heraldic-game-skewer-made-in-london-in-1853-by-john-samuel-hunt&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/marycooke-8876-Qfhef-OE67/stock/6967e922abdfd_image_url_dd67DD.jpg&description=The Skewer is modelled in the "Game" size, with tapering blade and a very finely modelled cast end. The Skewer is in excellent condition, with a crisp set of hallmarks. Heraldic Skewers are very rare and unique to the particular family whose Crest is on the end. The Crest is that of Hugh Robert Hughes of Kinmel and Dinorben (1827-1911). He inherited the family fortune in 1852 - this was substantially derived from mines and in particular Parys mountain which became the biggest copper mine in Europe and which only ceased to operate effectively in 1904. In 1831 the then owner of the estates William Lewis Hughes (1767-1852) was created Baron Dinorben. The 1st Baron Dinorben was succeeded by his son, the 2nd Baron, but the latter was already ill and died only 8 months after his father. This meant the peerage became extinct but the estates and income were inherited by Hugh Robert Hughes (nephew of the 1st Baron and cousin of 2nd Baron).Hugh Robert Hughes was nicknamed HRH due both to his initials and his wealth. He served as High Sherriff of Anglesey in 1855 and Flintshire in 1871 as well as serving as a Justice of the Peace in both counties. In 1871 he was also created Lord Lieutenant of Flintshire. However his main claim to fame is his extensive knowledge of Welsh heraldry and genealogy, especially that of families in North Wales. He was a regular contributor to Bye-Gones and was a regular correspondent with other enthusiasts and authorities. In 1853 he married the Hon. Florentia Emily Liddell, 2nd daughter of the 2nd Baron Ravensworth, and the couple had 2 sons and five daughters. It is interesting that Hughes reinterpreted the family crest "Out of a ducal coronet Or. a demi lion rampant argent holding between the paws a rose Gules slipped proper" when he commissioned these skewers, and presumably other pieces too and replaced the generic coronet that formed part of his crest with that of the Barony held by his uncle and cousin but not by him.Length:8.5 inches, 21.25 cm. ){kind=link}