Description:This is the inscription on a silver soup tureen which was presented to James Watt by the Proprietors of Glasgow Waterworks. Watt had advised them on the best way of moving water to their engines at Dalmarnock but refused payment so was presented with a silver soup tureen, cover and stand.
The tureen remained in the Watt family and was sold in Sotheby's James Watt, Art and Industry sale in 2003. It was made by Richard Cooke of London so it is not clear why John Phillp did this drawing of the inscription.
The image is from the Phillp album, a collection of watercolours and sketches by John Phillp (c.1778-1815). Phillp may have been Matthew Boulton's son but the evidence is inconclusive. He was born in Falmouth, Cornwall and came to Soho in 1793. Boulton paid for William Hollins to teach him architectural drawing in 1795. During his time at Soho he produced designs for silver, plate, medals and tokens.
Conservation and cleaning had to be undertaken on the album before it could be scanned and this was carried out as part of the Digital Handsworth Project.