.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The arms are those of Lowther for William, 1st Earl of Lonsdale, K.G. (1757-1844).
William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale, 2nd creation, and Viscount and Baron Lowther of Whitehaven (1757-1844) was created a Knight of the Garter in 1807. Upon his inheritance of the title in 1807 he employed Robert Smirke to rebuild Lowther Castle in the Perpendicular Revival taste. Known to be a profligate spender it was said by Smirke, in the Farington Diary: "His income is supposed to be from /P80 to /P100,000 a year, but He has vast expences [sic]. He has 4 establishments, one at Lowther, also at Whitehaven, Cottesmere in Rutlandshire, and in London" (as quoted in The Complete Peerage). The massive building with it's large rooms was a true demonstration of the grandest Regency style. With the rebuilding of Lowther underway he also commissioned an extensive service of plate from leading Regency silversmiths of the day such as Paul Storr and Digby Scott & Benjamin Smith. The richly decorated service was engraved with the newly inherited arms and consisted of some 150 pieces and was needed to adorn the massive 45 by 25 foot dining table. The service remained in the possession of the Earl's of Lonsdale until it was sold at Christie's in London on the 19th of February 1947.
William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale, 2nd creation, and Viscount and Baron Lowther of Whitehaven (1757-1844) was created a Knight of the Garter in 1807. Upon his inheritance of the title in 1807 he employed Robert Smirke to rebuild Lowther Castle in the Perpendicular Revival taste. Known to be a profligate spender it was said by Smirke, in the Farington Diary: "His income is supposed to be from /P80 to /P100,000 a year, but He has vast expences [sic]. He has 4 establishments, one at Lowther, also at Whitehaven, Cottesmere in Rutlandshire, and in London" (as quoted in The Complete Peerage). The massive building with it's large rooms was a true demonstration of the grandest Regency style. With the rebuilding of Lowther underway he also commissioned an extensive service of plate from leading Regency silversmiths of the day such as Paul Storr and Digby Scott & Benjamin Smith. The richly decorated service was engraved with the newly inherited arms and consisted of some 150 pieces and was needed to adorn the massive 45 by 25 foot dining table. The service remained in the possession of the Earl's of Lonsdale until it was sold at Christie's in London on the 19th of February 1947.