ANTIQUE 19thC VICTORIAN SOLID SILVER MAGNIFICENT ENTREE DISH, GARRARD c.1847

DESCRIPTION

Antique 19th Century rare and magnificent Victorian Solid Silver entree' dish and cover on stand, of shaped hexagonal form, the pierced frame on six reeded hexagonal feet, centering a burner.

As often the case for entree' dishes the stand is silver plated (being made to be warmed).

The stand supports a fitted solid silver hexagonal dish with cast applied border, the domed and faceted silver cover profusely decorated with scrolls, foliage and masks on a beautifully matted ground.

The entree' dish is inspired by the famous French Regence table service made by the silversmith Elie Pacot in 1709-10 (please follow this link and this link to Victoria and Albert Museum). The exceptional surtout probably belonged to the Duke of Marlborough, and it was sold at Christie's in 1829. Garrard himself purchased the lot and it served as the model for this dish. This is an early example of this design by Garrard, as other dishes date between 1850 and 1868.

Each part is engraved with a crest and the motto "Audaces Fortuna Juvat" (luck helps the brave). The crest appears to be of the Ramsden family, the cover also features a coat of arms of Ramsden family impaling another. The dish was probably part of a larger service commissioned for an important wedding occasion.

The dish and the cover are Hallmarked English silver (925 standard), London, year 1847 (m), Maker's mark crowned RG for Robert Garrard, important Royal silversmith, jeweller and supplier to the British and European royalty. The dish is further stamped "GARRARDS Panton Street LONDON".

The design of this entree' dish is particularly rare and valuable. A pair of similar entree' dishes were sold in Christie's in 2008 for $72100 (please follow this link).

CONDITION

In Great condition - no damage, just general wear.

SIZE

Length: 29.5cm
Width: 31.8cm
Total Weight: 4120g
Dish and cover silver weight: 1935g