MARK OF ROBERT GARRARD II, LONDON, 1849-56

The arms are those of the Worshipful Company of Grocers, one of the twelve great Livery Companies of the City of London. Descended from the medieval guild system, the Grocers were incorporated during the 14th century. In 1845, the Grocers celebrated their 500th anniversary. They commissioned several elaborate pieces of plate from Robert Garrard, who became a freeman of the Grocer's Company in 1816, and Master in 1853. Sculpted in relief on the present lot, the arms of the Company refer to the long history of trade with exotic lands. Two sculptural centerpieces, each featuring merchants with laden camels and horses, by R.& S. Garrard, 1842, are published in The Glory of the Goldsmith: Magnificent Gold and Silver from the Al-Tajir Collection, 1989, cat. no. 171(i) and 171(ii), pp. 220-221. A silver-mounted mirror plateau bearing the same sculptural arms, by Robert Garrard, 1862, sold at Christie's, London, June 13, 2001, lot 27.