£150 - £250
LATE 18THC SILK QUILTED BEDSPREAD - DATED 1775. The silk quilted bedspread made in 4 long sections, with foliate and other motifs. With a hand written label to the reverse dated 1775, and provenance to the Walmesley Family (approx 250cms by 158cms)
*Mary Walmesley's daughter was Emma, see provenace below.
Emma Elizabeth was born around 1780 probably at the Hall of Ince near Wigan. The house, to which many ghost stories are attributed, was demolished in 1950 and is now the site of Stanlow Oil Refinery. The Walmesley family were later then at Lucknam Park near Chippenham by 1870.
EEW married William Sparling in 1805 -there is a record of the marriage settlement in county records. The Sparlings lived at St Domingo House in Liverpool the site of which is now Everton Football . William's father died in 1800 - he had twice been mayor of Liverpool.
William Sparling was the last person to fight a duel in February 1804 in The Dingle in Liverpool. He had been called a villain by Mr Grayson (a ship builder in Liverpool) because William had called off his engagement to Grayson's niece. William demanded an apology but none was offered. The duel was duly fought and William seriously wounded his opponent who unfortunately died a few days later. William and his second, Captain Cocquitt, were accused of murder and tried in April 1804. They were found not guilty.
William then left Liverpool for Petton Hall in Shropshire and married Emma Walmesley who was we understand the reason for breaking his earlier engagement.
William's and Emma's granddaughter Emma Florence Cunliffe (nee Sparling) chronicled the family history and that plus the full verbatim record of the murder trial is available of the pertinent websites.
William Sparling was High Sheriff of Shropshire in 1809
Emma Florence Sparling from Petton married Ellis Brooke Cunliffe earlier of Acton Park in Wrexham. They lived at Petton Park and had 10 children
Emma Florence Cunliffe was my wife's (Valerie) great grandmother making Emma Walmesley her great great great grandmother.
This therefore is a direct line and the painting of EEW is in our possession.
see online images, some losses and wear to the silk in places over time as you would expect.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
33.6% inc VAT*
Flat Fee Registration
30.00% inc VAT*
