Antique Paul Storr Sterling Silver Entree Dish, 1828

This is a wonderful and rare English George III antique sterling silver coffee pot on stand by  the world famous silversmith Paul Storr. It...

This is a wonderful English antique William IV sterling silver tray, or salver, by the world famous silversmith Paul Storr. It has clear hallmarks for London 1820 the makers mark of Paul Storr. It is typical of his work with the octafoil shape and the exquisitely detailed reeded rim, and it is raised on four delightful foliate and scroll feet. The centre is engraved with a shield shaped coat of arms which I have had researched. The Marital Arms of Knollis and Hallifax The armorial bearings as engraved upon this George IV Large English Sterling Silver Footed Salver by Paul Storr hallmarked London 1820 are those of the family of Knollis with Hallifax in pretence. These armorial bearings denote the marshalling of a marital coat showing the arms of the husband over the entire surface of the shield, whilst the arms of the wife (as an heraldic heiress) are placed on a small shield (known as an escutcheon of pretence) centrally on the husband’s arms. They may be blazoned as follows: Arms: Quarterly 1st and 4th Azure crusily of cross crosslets a cross moline voided or (for Knollys) 2nd and 3rd Gules on a chevron argent three roses of the field barbed proper (for Knollys) over all an escutcheon of pretence Or on a pile engrailed sable between two fountains barry wavy of six argent and azure three cross crosslets of the first (for Hallifax) Crest: An elephant argent [differenced with a mullet1 ] (for Knollys) Motto: In utrumque paratus [Prepared for either] (for Knollys) These armorial bearings undoubtedly commemorate the marriage of The Honourable and Reverend Francis Knollis2 (baptised 3rd January 1743 died 27th February 1826), 1 The cadency mark for a third son of a family. 2 Francis appears to have preferred this spelling of his family’s surname. It is spelt as it is to be pronounced. of Burford in the County of Oxfordshire and of Eastleach Martin in the County of Gloucestershire and Mary Hallifax (baptised 5th March 1753 buried 18th December 1830). Francis and Mary were married at the Parish Church of St Mary, Ewell in the County of Surrey on the 9th June 1772. Francis was the third son of Charles Knollys (the titular 5th Earl of Banbury) 3 and his wife, Martha Hughes, whilst Mary was the daughter of The Reverend James Hallifax, of Ewell aforesaid and his wife, Elizabeth Chardavoyn. 3 Francis’s father claimed to be the 5th Earl of Banbury. A claim that continued to be pursued by the family until William Knollys, the titular 8th Earl of Banbury (born 1763 died 1834) was forced to discontinue its use by a resolution of the House of Lords which rejected his claim to the earldom in 1813. The crest surmounts a detailed dedication: This piece of plate was presented to the Honourable Rev Knolls by the inhabitants of the town and immediate neighbourhood of Burford on his completing the fiftieth year of his incumbency as the vicar of Burford. In testimony of their high respect 11th April 1821 There is no mistaking its unique quality and design, which is sure to make it a treasured piece by any discerning collector. Condition: In excellent condition with clear hallmarks and no dings, dents or signs of repair. Please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 3 x Width 36 x Depth 36 Weight 1.52 kg Dimensions in inches: Height 1 inch x Width 1 foot, 2 inches x Depth 1 foot, 2 inches Weight 49 troy oz Paul Storr born in London England in 1771, was to become one of the most talented silversmiths of the nineteenth century. Today his legacy of exceptionally well crafted silver, found worldwide in museums and private collections, leaves one in awe when compared to that of his contemporaries.After having served a seven year apprenticeship from the age of 14, he began his career in 1792 when he went into a brief partnership with William Frisbee. This did not last and in 1793 a new mark, (his initials ‘P S’) was entered. By the beginning of the nineteenth century he had established himself as one of London’s top silversmiths producing, amongst others, commissions for Royalty. In 1801 he married Elizabeth Susanna Beyer with whom he was to have ten children. In 1807 Paul Storr entered into a working relationship with Philip Rundell and by 1811 was a partner, and managing the workshops for Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. During this period he kept his own marks and separate workshop. However it was through Rundell, Bridge & Rundell who were appointed Goldsmith in Ordinary to George III in 1804 that his reputation as a master silversmith grew. His talents lay in being able to transform ideas and designs from Rundell, Bridge & Rundell’s designers, William Theed...

This is an exquisite and rare antique English silver plated entree dish by the world renowned retailser Asprey, of London circa 1870 in date. The entree dish features a square shaped body with elegant fluted decoration to the dish, lid and handle.   In excellent condition, this wonderful entree dish is  ready to grace your dining table.  Condition: In excellent condition. As an antique items, the piece shows signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, it displays beautifully. Dimensions in cm: Height 16 cm x Width 26 cm x Depth 26 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 6 inches x Width 10 inches x Depth 10 inches Asprey was established in England in  1781 and founded as a silk printing business by William Asprey, it soon became a luxury emporium. In 1841, William Asprey's elder son Charles went into partnership with a stationer located on London's Bond Street. In 1847 the family broke with this partner and moved into 167 New Bond Street, the premises Asprey occupies today. From its central London location Asprey advertised 'articles of exclusive design and high quality, whether for personal adornment or personal accompaniment and to endow with richness and beauty the table and homes of people of refinement and discernment.' An early speciality was dressing cases. Asprey crafted traditional cases and designs, mostly in leather, suitable for the new style of travel ushered in by railways. The main competitors at the time were H.J. Cave & Sons. Asprey was recognised for its expertise when it won a gold medal for its dressing cases at the International Exhibition of 1862 but lost out to its rivals, H.J. Cave & Sons in 1867. The company consolidated its position through acquisitions. In 1859 Asprey absorbed Edwards, an award winning maker of dressing cases and holder of a Royal Warrant. The company also purchased the Alfred Club at 22 Albemarle Street, which backed on to the New Bond Street store and meant that Asprey now had entrances on two of London's most fashionable streets. In 1862, Asprey was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria. The Prince of Wales, later to be crowned Edward VII, granted another Royal Warrant. In 1953, for the coronation of Elizabeth II, Asprey paid homage with the Asprey Coronation Year Gold Collection, which featured a dessert, coffee and liqueur service in 18-carat gold and weighed almost 27 pounds. In April 1953, it went on show in the New Bond Street store and subsequently toured the United States. As the business grew, the company acquired manufacturing facilities and hired silversmiths, goldsmiths, jewellers and watchmakers including Ernest Betjeman, the father of the distinguished poet John Betjeman, one of the most highly regarded craftsman and designers of his day. In the twenties, commissions poured in from around the world, from American millionaire J. Pierpont Morgan to potentates such as the Maharaja of Patiala, who commissioned a huge teak travelling trunk for each of his wives in which each trunk was fitted with solid silver washing and bathing utensils with waterspouts of ornate tiger head and lined with blue velvet. Asprey cigarette cases...

This is a superb quality antique Italian Pietra Dura mounted, gilt brass and alabaster table-centre comport dish, dating from the late 19th century. With striking pierced Neo-Gothic chased brass mounts this splendid alabaster dish is set with six highly decorative pietra dura roundels depicting various floral decoration. It is raised on a sturdy circular brass base. It is a sumptuous piece which will make a great statement in any special room. Condition: In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 8 x width 29 x depth 29 Dimensions in inches: Height 3.1 x width 11.4 x depth 11.4 Pietra Dura is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished colored stones to create images. It is considered a decorative art. Pietre dure is an Italian plural meaning "hard rocks" or hardstones; the singular pietra dura is also encountered in Italian. In Italian, but not in English, the term embraces all gem engraving and hardstone carving, which is the artistic carving of three-dimensional objects in semi-precious stone, normally from a single piece, for example in Chinese jade. The traditional convention in English has been to use the singular pietra dura just to denote multi-colored inlay work. However, in recent years there has been a trend to use pietre dure as a term for the same thing, but not for all of the techniques it covers, in Italian. But the title of a 2008 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Art of the Royal Court: Treasures in Pietre Dure from the Palaces of Europe used the full Italian sense of the term, probably because they thought that it had greater brand recognition. The material on the website speaks of objects such as a vase in lapis lazuli as being examples of "hardstone carving (pietre dure)" The Victoria & Albert Museum in London uses both versions on its website, but uses pietra dura. "A method of inlaying colored marbles or semi-precious stones into a stone base, often in geometric or flower patterns...." Giovanni Montelatici...