Mullen the Goldsmith---A Dublin Mystery

[dognose]

Hi,

I came across this interesting extract from ‘The Newry Commercial Telegraph’ Newry, County Down, Ireland, dated 25th May 1813.

"Late Sheriff Harty.

A magnificent covered cup, forming a part of the plate presented to this virtuous magistrate by his admiring fellow citizens, was made by Mr Mullen, goldsmith, Dame Street. It is said to be the largest and most superb ever got up in Ireland–It holds ten standard quarts, and is profusely embellished with excellent chasing. The handles represent cornu copins , and are excessively rich. On each side are antique shields surrounded with emblematical devices, embossed in good style, representing virtue and patriotism, as designating the public conduct of Mr Harty. His family arms are engraved on one compartment, and the following inscription on the other.
‘To Robert Harty, Esq., High Sheriff of the city of Dublin, in the years 1811-1812. His fellow citizens present this piece of plate in grateful remembrance of the zeal and impartiality which marked his official career, and in testimony of the bright example he has left to his successors for imitation.’
The thanks of the committee appointed upon this occasion were unanimously voted to Mr Mullen, for his indefatigable and spirited efforts in producing a piece of workmanship, which, for excellence of design and finish, rivals the best exertions of any other country whatever."


But who exactly is this Mr Mullen, the maker of this huge and apparently wonderful cup?
Douglas Bennett in his ‘Collecting Irish Silver’ lists only one Mullen, a Charles Mullen or Mullin, described as a ‘Jeweller’ of 19, Christchurch Yard; Street and appearing in directories 1768-1780.
Jackson’s also has listed a Charles Mullen described as a goldsmith and jeweller, noted from a directory of 1775 and a Michael C. Mullen from a 1798 directory, he is listed as a Jeweller.
I have noted a Henry Mullen in the Dublin City Directory of 1850 with an address of 9, Christchurch Place, he is listed as a ‘Chrononmeter and Watchmaker'.

I have also noted the name Mullen stamped as a retailers mark on a spoon by Samuel Neville hallmarked at Dublin in 1813 and on spoons by James Keating hallmarked 1813 and 1817, although the stamping of a retailers mark on flatware is an unreliable form of dating as we cannot be sure that the items were not secondhand when marked in this way.

Does anyone have an opinion who the mysterious Mr Mullen might be?

Trev.
.