The crest in that of Paget, Marquess of Anglesey
These sauce boats are from the collection of the celebrated military hero, Henry-William Paget, First Marquess of Anglesey (1768-1854). Paget, who commanded the cavalry at Waterloo, is most famously remembered for the loss of his leg as he was riding alongside the Duke of Wellington. Upon receiving grapeshot to his right knee, he supposedly told Wellington: "By God Sir, I've lost my leg" to which Wellington replied "By God Sir, so you have." Paget's leg was amputated and buried beneath an elaborate memorial in the village of Waterloo.
He was created Marquess in 1815, and was made a Knight of the Garter in 1818. He was married first to Caroline Villiers, daughter of the 4th Earl of Jersey, and secondly to Charlotte, daughter of the 1st Earl Cadogan.
These sauceboats were part of a set of four, with six matching salt cellars, made by Parker & Wakelin in 1771. They are based upon the designs of architect Sir William Chambers for a silver service for the 4th Duke of Marlborough. Chambers's service, which was executed by Parker and Wakelin in 1768, included "16 fine festoon Sauceboats." The Anglesey sauceboats are more elaborately embellished than the Marlborough model, with paterae centering the husk festoons and bold gadrooning.
The Marquess possessed a large collection of silver with many pieces dating to the same period as the sauce boats. For example, his collection included a pair of Parker and Wakelin candelabra of 1770 and four soup tureens and eight dozen dinner plates by Butty and Dumee of 1769 and 1770. The Marquess likely added his coronet upon his elevation to that title, or had his silver refashioned, as the Parker and Wakelin candelabra were (mounted on square plinths in 1827). A large collection of silver was disbursed at auction in the 1940s and 1950s.
Photo caption:
Henry-William Paget, Marquess of Anglesey (1768-1854), National Portrait Gallery of Illustrious and Eminent Personages, 1830