Lot Essay
This plaque was apparently engraved as an entry for one of the animal engraving competitions sponsored by Goldsmiths' Hall. The Goldsmiths' Company first offered prizes in 1871 in an effort to raise the standard of design and workmanship of objects in precious metals.
In 1884, a prize of L20 was offered "for the best specimen of Heraldic Engraving of the Armorial Insignia of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, worked to fill a centre of not less than 7 inches in diameter, on a Silver Plate, Silver Box, or Silver Waiter." The winning armorial plaque, similar to the present example, was given to the Goldsmiths' Company by the engraver, W.J. Deere of London, and is illustrated in Charles Oman, English Engraved Silver, 1978, fig. 143, p. 126. The second and third prizes were awarded to David MacGregor of Perth and Alfred Guy of London (Courtesy Archives, Goldsmiths' Hall).
In 1884, a prize of L20 was offered "for the best specimen of Heraldic Engraving of the Armorial Insignia of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, worked to fill a centre of not less than 7 inches in diameter, on a Silver Plate, Silver Box, or Silver Waiter." The winning armorial plaque, similar to the present example, was given to the Goldsmiths' Company by the engraver, W.J. Deere of London, and is illustrated in Charles Oman, English Engraved Silver, 1978, fig. 143, p. 126. The second and third prizes were awarded to David MacGregor of Perth and Alfred Guy of London (Courtesy Archives, Goldsmiths' Hall).