Captain Hotham’s Wall Cupboard

A charming and small mahogany portable cupboard with side carrying handles with a brass plaque to the top identifying the piece as belonging to “Captain Hotham, RN.”
The Hotham family of England were a military family and in the 18th and 19th centuries most male members made their careers in the Royal Navy.  The probable owner of this piece was Henry Hotham (1777-1833), ending his career as a Vice-Admiral.  The Honorable Sir Henry Hotham KCB GCMG, an officer in the Royal Navy who served during the French Revolutionary, Napoleonic Wars, and the War of 1812,  was later a member of the Board of Admiralty and ended his career as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranian Fleet.
The son of Beaumont Hotham, 2nd Baron Hotahm, Henry joined the navy in 1790 aged 13 serving under his uncle Vice-Admiral William Hotham aboard the Britannia in the Mediterranean.  His advancement was fast, mid-shipman in 1794 and three months later lieutenant at age 17.  Promoted to captain in 1795 while still aged 17 years his career flourished, seeing service in the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars with the command of multiple warships.
His active service culminated with the War of 1812 when he was appointed Captain of the Fleet of the North American Station rising to rear-admiral in 1813 at age 36.  Following his war-time service, for which he received a knighthood, Hotham commanded the Mediterranean fleet and sat on the Board of Admiralty with the rank of Vice-Admiral.  Dying in 1833, while still in service he was buried in Malta.

London, England.  1800-1810

Exhibited:
Katonah Museum, NY, Britain’s Portable Empire, 2001
Boscobel House and Gardens Museum, Garrison, NY, Campaign Furniture: the March of Portable Design, August 25th – November 4th, 2018

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