William Parker (1772-1841) established his workshop at 233 High Holborn from 1793-1839 and was gunmaker to William IV, and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. As well as providing standard issue guns he also produced duelling pistols and more ceremonial items such as these cannon. That he was a supplier to the highest nobility is demonstrated by the present lot which bear a Marquess’s coronet above a cypher ‘C’. With only three Marquessates beginning with this letter in the British peerage, the present cannon must have been commissioned by the Marquess Camden, Cholmondeley or Conyngham. All three marquessates were newly granted in the second decade of the 19^th century and a commission of ceremonial weapons from the King’s own gunmaker was a fitting expression of political and social prestige.