A GEORGE IV SILVER VENISON DISH AND COVER

Property of A NEW YORK COLLECTOR

Details

A GEORGE IV SILVER VENISON DISH AND COVER
MAKER'S MARK OF ROBERT GARRARD II, LONDON, 1827

Shaped oval, the well-and-tree dish fixed to a hot-water stand, raised on four scroll legs and with two massive foliate handles, the rim gadrooned with cartouches and shells at intervals and large shells at either end, the domed shaped oval conforming cover with two moldings at the base and a gadrooned molding at the top, with foliate piercing for steam and a double scroll open handle issuing from foliage, the cover and dish each engraved twice with a Duke's armorials, marked on dish, cover and handle
length over handles 30 3/8in. (77.1cm.)
(641oz. 10dwt., 19964gr.)

Lot Essay

The arms are those of Walter Francis, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and Duke of Queensberry, born in 1806 at Dalkeith House, where, when aged 16 in 1822, he entertained George IV on the latter's celebrated tour through Scotland. He succeeded to the Dukedom in 1819. The present lot was evidently part of the plate ordered for his twenty-first birthday celebrations.

Sir Walter Scott wrote of the Duke thus in 1826: "[he] has grown up into a graceful and apparently strong young man ... I think he will be well qualified to sustain his difficult and important task ... With perfect good nature, he has a natural sense of his own situation, which will keep him from associating with unworthy companions" [Journal, August 25, 1826]. He carried the Gold Stick at the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838. He was Lord Privy Seal from 1842 to 1846 and Lord President of the Council in 1846. He married in 1829 Charlotte Anne, 3rd and youngest daughter of Thomas, 2nd Marquess of Bath. He died in 1884.