NAM.2004-08-1-1

Silver centrepiece, the Major North Ludlow Beamish Trophy or Vase, presented by the Officers of the King’s German Legion to their regimental historian, 1839. Comprised of three pieces. Silver, designed by J von Randel of Anspach, made by G Drewes, Hanover, 1839. Chased vase with lid surmounted by a lion rampant, on a 10-sided stand with 8 lion’s claw-and-ball feet; oak tree at centre with 10 uniformed figures. Associated with the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). The Centrepiece was commissioned by the Officers of the King’s German Legion and presented to Major North Ludlow Beamish, author of the two-volume history of the legion (published 1832 and 1837). The accompanying testimonial spoke of his ‘imperishable record of the services of those expatriated soldiers, who under the British standard, in distant fields, fought for the common freedom of Europe and their ignominiously enslaved country’. The ten figures show (clockwise): (over the English inscription, arms crossed) Heavy Dragoon, 2nd Regiment (right arm on the shoulder of the Heavy Dragoon) Rifleman, 2nd Light Battalion (in Tarleton helmet, hands on sword) Gunner, Horse Artillery (right hand raised to top of shako) Hussar, 2nd or 3rd Regiment (arms crossed) Gunner, Foot Artillery (over the German inscription, arm around next figure) Hussar Officer, 1st Regiment (arm across the back of Hussar Officer) Rifleman, 1st Light Battalion (turning to his left, left arm raised) Skirmisher, Line Infantry (rifle held under left arm) Light Dragoon, 1st Regiment (right hand raised, rifle butt on ground) Grenadier, Line Infantry In addition to the ten figures displaying different uniforms of the King’s German Legion, the ornamentation of the centrepiece has symbolic meaning. The central oak tree is the German emblem of liberty, the ivy represents eternity, and the frieze around the cup tells the story in terms of classical symbols. Here, representing the invasion of Hanover, the female figure of Gallia (France), identified by the French cockerel, lays a possessive hand on the German oak tree. The weeping figure of the dispossessed Germania sits mourning while two German youths turn to leave, stepping onto a British ship. Next, they are received by Britannia who arms them in the service of the white horse of Hanover. Together with the British lion, they move to attack Gallia who cowers behind a shield bearing a Napoleonic eagle, the cockerel at her feet. The victorious men return home carrying laurel-crowned spears, to be welcomed by Germania, now restored to her royal throne. Major Beamish’s family motto ‘Virtus insignit audentes’ [virtue marks the bold], and crest of the demi-lion rampant crown the trophy.

Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)