A SET OF THREE WILLIAM IV SILVER-GILT FRUIT BOWLS

THE PROPERTY OF A LADY

Details

A SET OF THREE WILLIAM IV SILVER-GILT FRUIT BOWLS
MAKER'S MARK OF JOHN, HENRY & CHARLES LIAS, LONDON, 1832

Comprising a larger and pair of smaller examples, each chased with swirling acanthus below a scalloped everted rim, the larger on detachable spreading base chased with fruit and rocaille and engraved with a presentation inscription, the rim engraved with a coat-of-arms and crest, the smaller bowls each on four acanthus scroll feet, each with a ladle with interlaced grapevine handle and scalloped bowl, one pierced, fully marked
the larger 6in. (15.2cm.) high
(81oz., 2520gr.) (5)

Provenance

Christie's, New York, October 21, 1993, lot 393.

Lot Essay

The inscription reads: THIS DESSERT SERVICE OF PLATE was Presented to WILLIAM DOWDESWELL, Esquire, by the Ladies of Tewkesbury and its Vicinity. To testify how highly they appreciated his Character as a Neighbor and a Gentleman; and particularly with a view to record their admiration of the honorable and independent Spirit he evinced during the late Contest for the REPRESENTATION OF THE BOROUGH OF TEWKESBURY, 28th Dec. 1832.

The arms are those of Dowdeswell of Pull Court, Worcestershire, as borne by William Dowdeswell, born in 1804. He married in 1839 Amelia Letitia, youngest daughter of the late Robert Graham of Cossington House, Somerset. He was M.P. for Tewkesbury 1835-1847 and High Sheriff of Worcestershire in 1855. He died in 1887.