Antique 19thC Nickel Silver Dog Collar to High Sheriff Norfolk c1873 Morley Hall

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Seller: beztrot ✉️ (656) 100%, Location: Sheerness, GB, Ships to: GB & many other countries, Item: 156083838510 Antique 19thC Nickel Silver Dog Collar to High Sheriff Norfolk c1873 Morley Hall. An Exceptionally Rare and Remarkable Victorian Dog Collar, with Provenance to John Bathurst Graver Browne Esq., the High Sheriff of Norfolk in the year 1873 under Queen Victoria. 
  • John Bathurst Graver Browne Esq. (b.1837 - d.1880), born in Reymurston, Norfolk, was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk on the Isle of Wight by Major General Sir Thomas Myddleton Biddulph, K.C.B on behalf of Queen Victoria on the 5th February 1873. From this point, J. Bathurst Graver Browne Esq. represented the Sovereign in Norfolk and was appointed to uphold all matters of law and order within the county.
  • This nickel plated chain link collar, made for a medium sized dog, is hand engraved with provenance to the High Sheriff and therefore belonged to one of the dogs of Morley Hall, Norfolk. The relative size of the collar suggests that it was for a Spaniel or other hunting style breed and was therefore perhaps kept for this role, if not simply as a pet and guard dog on the manor. Either way, the exceptional quality of the collar and its engraving would suggest that this dog was beloved and well looked after. A real Château dog! 
  • John B.G.B Esq. was a popular high sheriff and was supported by his constituents. In July of the year prior to his appointment he famously held a fete on the grounds of Morley Hall which extended invitations to all residents of Norfolk in order to show gratitude for their support of his wedding to Frances Julia Stracey in the year before. This event reportedly saw the attendance of 10,000 residents from the local area and completely shut down Attleborough and Wymondham for its duration. A fascinating report of this event recounts the details: 

    "Welcome to Morley, these were the cheering words which met the eye over the entrances to Morley Park, the seat of J B Graver Browne. The roads leading to Morley were alive with vehicles of every description, and thousands of people not able to afford a seat in some one or other of the many conveyances were content to go on foot and to encounter alike the fatigue of heat and the unpleasantness of dust.

    "Shops were closed in Wymondham and Attleborough, so as to give those employed in the opportunity of accepting the invitation they had received of joining in the grand fete which for some weeks it had been announced would take place in Morley Park, though the great kindness and the sterling liberality of the well-known and as well-beloved square and his lady, Mr and Mrs Graver Browne. ... "To throw freely open one's park and grounds to ten thousand people is in itself a gracious and considerate act but to undertake to provide amusement for them and to supply tea is an undertaking which many ladies and gentlemen would shrink from incurring entailing as it necessarily must, apart from expense, a considerable amount of anxiety.

    "This was not so with Mr and Mrs Graver Browne. Joyously recalling the 19th of April 1871, when they plighted their troth each to the other, they remembered with gratitude their return to Morley, after their wedding tour, and how then all classes, high and low, rich and poor, with another, welcomed their back with cordiality and sincerity that would not fail to make, as it has made, a lasting impression on their memory."

    The report went on to make the point that the squire had been long known to and esteemed by the tenants on the Morley estate; her had spent his young life amongst them and they had tested his worth. His wife, as a scion of the Stracey family - a family dear to many a Norfolk home - was no stranger to them and they rightly anticipated that in the exercise by her of those qualities of generosity of hospitality and the solicitude for the wants of others. In other words the Graver Brown's were much loved and they arranged for a committee to organise the fete."

    From this it is clear that John Bathurst Graver Browne was very influential in the social history of Norfolk during the late 19th century. It is worth noting that Frances Julia Stracey's father, Sir Henry Josias Stracey,, 5th Bt, was appointed High Sheriff in 1871, so this perhaps also had some influence in John B.G.B's appointment!  This is a wonderful and rare antique collar with a story to tell, and has roots firmly embedded within the history of Norfolk. It is in excellent condition, with no damage to the engraving and retaining the majority of its original nickel silver plated finish. Unfortunately the key is missing, however these can be sourced relatively easily and doesn't detract from the history of the piece. This collar has a real charm to it and the photos don't do it justice!  Weighs roughly 176 grams and is 20cm across when laid flat.  Please study the photos carefully as they make up a part of the description, I will combine shipping, please enquire for international. Feel free to contact for more photos or any questions. See our other listings for more antique dog collars and unique antiques!
  • Condition: Used

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