MARK OF DAVID WILLAUME II, LONDON, 1743

Details

A GEORGE II SILVER CAKE BASKET
Mark of David Willaume II, London, 1743
Shaped oval on four claw feet headed by lion's masks, the deep body pierced with scrolls and diaperwork, with openwork applied rim cast of rocaille, scrolls and grapevine, the center flat-chased with border of scrolls and rocaille centering an engraved coat of arms, the overhead swing handle with caryatid joins, similarly chased and engraved with a Baron's coronet and a jewel garter motto, marked under base and handle
12¾in. (32.4cm.) long; 56oz. (1755gr.)

Lot Essay

The arms are those of Stuart impaling those of Bertie for Charles Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay (1779-1845). Charles Stuart entered the diplomatic service at the age of 22, and served his long career with great distinction in Spain, Austria, Russia, Portugal, the Netherlands, France and Brazil. He was considered the Duke of Wellington's "right-hand man in the Peninsular War, as Commissioner managing the Spaniards and Portuguese Juntas." In 1816, he married Elizabeth Margaret, daughter of the 3rd Earl of Hardwicke, and was created Baron Stuart de Rothesay in 1828, an honor usually reserved for the Prince of Wales. He died in 1845 at his residence, Highcliffe, at which time the barony became extinct.

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