A GEORGE IV IRISH SILVER-GILT CAKE BASKET

Details
A GEORGE IV IRISH SILVER-GILT CAKE BASKET
MAKER'S MARK OF JAMES FRY FOR ALDERMAN WEST, DUBLIN, 1820

Shaped oval on openwork foliate scroll and flowerhead supports, the everted rim chased with scrolls and flowers, with overhead swing handle with caryatid terminals, the center engraved with an Earl's armorials, the handle engraved with a crest and Earl's coronet, marked under base and on handle--13½in.(34.4cm.) long
(82oz., 2565gr.)

Lot Essay

The arms are those of Archibald, 4th Earl of Rosebery, born in 1783. He married in 1808 Harriet, daughter of the Hon. Bartholomew Bouverie (afterwards Earl of Radnor) but they were divorced in 1815 with Sir Henry St. John Carew St. John-Mildmay, 4th Bt., named as co-respondent. Mildmay, who was the widower of Lady Rosebery's elder sister, paid the Earl 15,000 in damages. The Earl subsequently married Anne Margaret, daughter of Thomas, 1st Viscount Anson (afterwards Earl of Lichfield), by whom he had two sons. He died in 1868. For a pair of fine wine coolers made for the Earl, by Robert Garrard, 1830, see Christie's, New York, April 14, 1994, lot 334.