004/06
19 January 2006
Culture Minister Defers Export Of Gold Naval Medal And Silver Presentation Cup Awarded To Suffolk Man Who Became A National Hero, Captain Philip Bowes Vere Broke
Culture Minister, David Lammy, has placed temporary export bars on a Naval Gold Medal and a silver presentation cup and cover, known as the Shannon cup. Both items were awarded to Captain Philip Bowes Vere Broke in recognition of his exemplary performance in the battle between HMS Shannon, which he commanded, and USS Chesapeake in 1813. This will provide a last chance to raise the money to keep the medal and cup in the United Kingdom.
The Minister's rulings follow recommendations by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, run by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The Committee recommended that the export decision on the medal be deferred on the grounds that it is so closely connected with our history and national life that its departure would be a misfortune. The Committee recommended that the export decision on the cup be deferred both on the grounds that it is so connected with our history and national life that its departure would be a misfortune and on the grounds that it is of outstanding significance for the study of silverware.
The spectacular and apparently easy capture of USS Chesapeake by HMS Shannon within fifteen minutes created a sensation in America and Britain. Initially, the British had suffered a series of humiliating defeats by large well-armed American frigates during the Anglo-American War of 1812-14. Broke's training methods, professionalism and commitment reversed the trend of American victories, restored national pride and laid the foundations for the post-war navy. He became a celebrity and was showered with accolades.
Gold Naval Medals are the most important naval medals with the exception of the Victoria Cross. This individually inscribed medal was presented to Broke by the British Government in official recognition of his achievements.
The cup is of particular local importance. It was designed by a local man, 'a Mr Bevil of Ipswich' and presented by the members of the Free and Easy Club Ipswich to their 'gallant countryman', who was himself from an old Suffolk family. It is also of interest for the study of silverware on account of its intriguing design and the fact it illustrates the liaison between local and metropolitan artists. Although the cup was designed by a local man, known only for this and another related piece, it was made by the distinguished London goldsmith, Solomon Hougham, who is known to have supplied the Royal Goldsmiths, Rundell, Bridge and Rundell.
The decision on the export licence application for both the Naval Gold Medal and the silver presentation cup and cover will be deferred for a period ending on 19 March inclusive. In each case, this period may be extended until 19 June inclusive (i) if a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase the Naval Gold Medal at the recommended price of £232,000 (excluding VAT ) and/or (ii) if a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase the presentation cup at the recommended price of £84,000 (excluding VAT) is expressed.
Anyone interested in making an offer to purchase the medal and/or presentation cup should contact the owner's agent through:
The Secretary
The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4EA
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Notes to Editors
1. From April 2005, responsibility for administering the work of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA) was passed by DCMS to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). Media enquiries on the operation and casework arising from RCEWA and from the Acceptance in Lieu and Government Indemnity Schemes and the export licence system should go to Emma Poole on 020 7273 1459, email emma.poole@mla.gov.uk
2. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, run by MLA, which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria. Where the Committee finds that an object meets one or more of the criteria, it will normally recommend that the decision on the export licence application should be deferred for a specified period. An offer may then be made from within the United Kingdom at or above the fair market price.
3. Pictures of these items can be downloaded free of charge from the MLA site on Pixmedia. Please go to the MLA page situated within the Arts section of Picselect at http://www.pixmedia.co.uk/25/folder/618
4. Philip Bowes Vere Broke was born at Broke Hall near Ipswich on 9 September 1776. At the age of 12, he entered the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth Dockyard. He entered active service in 1792 and was promoted to a captain in 1801. On 31 August 1806, he was appointed to the Shannon, a 38 gun frigate. In 1811, the ship was ordered to Halifax, Nova Scotia, as relations between America and Britain deteriorated.
5. The brief engagement between the Shannon and the Chesapeake was part of the Anglo-American war of 1812-14. On June 18 1812, US president James Maison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain. Frustrated by British maritime practices and support of Native American resistance to western expansion, the Americans entered the war with ambitious plans to invade Canada; a goal that was never realised. American forces met with great losses both on land and at sea.
6. Broke promoted systematic training to keep the Shannon in fighting trim, concentrating on gunnery. In the battle with USS Chesapeake on June 1st 1813, this training proved decisive. The more heavily armoured American ship, with a greater complement of men, was overwhelmed within fifteen minutes and the victory created a sensation in America and Britain. Broke became a celebrity, honoured by royalty, politicians and his countrymen. He was made a baronet in November 1813 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in January 1815.
7. Naval Gold Medals were awarded by the Crown between 1794 and 1816 to senior officers in specified actions. Only eight such medals, including this one, were awarded for single ship actions. Each medal is unique and they are individually inscribed. This particular medal is engraved as follows:
CAPTAIN P.B.V.BROKE
H.M.S.SHANNON 46 Guns 300 MEN
CAPTURED 1 JUNE 1813 IN 15 MINUTES
USS CHESAPEAKE 49 GUNS 440 MEN
8. It is rare to find a medal in such good state of preservation as this one. It is virtually intact as issued, with its watch-type convex glasses, with original suspension, ribbon and gold riband buckle.
9. The silver cup and cover, measure 35.5cm in height and weigh 3065 grams. The full London hallmarks for 1813-4 and marks of manufacturer Solomon Hougham are on the side of the cup. The date letter S for 1813-4, sterling standard, and mark for Solomon Hougham are on the underside of the cover and numerous marks for Solomon Hougham are on the base, finial and rim of cover. The cup is inscribed as follows:
10. "Presented by the Members of the Free and Easy Club Ipswich To their Gallant Countryman, Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke, Baronet Commander of his Majesties Frigate, The Shannon, In commemoration of the Skill and Valour he displayed in the Capture of the American Frigate, The Chesapeake, Off Boston lighthouse on the Ist of June 1813".
11. The cup and cover are in good condition.
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