Thomas Field Savory was a wealthy man and his possessions reflected this. Since his death most of his possessions have been dispersed across the family and further afield.

Two were very special and unique to the family. They are the ‘Sussex Cup’ (in reality a tankard) and the ‘Hamilton Cup’.

The ‘Sussex Cup’

Thomas Field Savory entertained lavishly and frequently at his home, 22 Sussex Place, Regents Park. One night, so the story goes, his friend H.R.H. The Duke of Sussex was dining with him and much admired the silver and gilt tankard belonging to Thomas on which the Savory crest was engraved on the outside. When the Duke left after dinner he found that the tankard had been placed in his coach. The Duke subsequently had his own crest (a lion over a ducal coronet) engraved inside the lid of the tankard.

The Duke died heavily in debt in 1843. A sale of his silver, gilt and gold possessions took place at Christies between 22nd and 27th of June that year. Thomas Field Savory brought back the cup (through an agent) for £50. The cup bears no assay mark but has been identified by the Victoria and Albert Museum as of German origin and made in about 1660.

It remained in the family, passing down to Arthur Ledsam Savory, to Dr Charles Harley Savory, who sold it to his brother Kenneth, who sold it to his brother Reginald. Reg left it to Tony in 1980. It was sold at Christies in 1994 for £41,000 (approx £85,000 in 2025).

The ‘Hamilton Cup’

For some years Emma, Lady Hamilton lived next door but one to Savory & Moore, 143 New Bond Street, having been ensconced there by Lord Nelson. Emma became a close friend of Thomas Field Savory and on her mother’s death gave him a silver cup, which is inscribed as follows:

“From
Emma Lady Hamilton
to
Thomas Field Savory Esq.
as a small
Token of Gratitude
For his unremitted attention to
her Dear lamented Mother and
to Herself and Family
1810″

The cup is a George III silver cup, sold in 2000 for £6,325 (£11,200 in 2025) at Christies and again at Sotheby’s in 2011.