Object Description
A fantastic quality pair of antique silver serving dishes with matching covers and twist off, cast silver handles. Of oval scalloped form, the applied borders are beautifully decorated with shells and flower ornament. Large size and good gauge silver. The elegant oval form, with tall domed cover, is often known as “cushion form”. The covers are engraved to the front and reverse with an expansive coat of arms with lion crest and family motto. The warming bases in Old Sheffield plate are completely matching.
Silver weight 4681g, 150 troy oz.
Total height with warmer 26cm, 10.2 ins. Entrée dish height 19.5cm, length 37.5cm.
London 1837.
Maker Richard William Elliott.
Sterling silver.
Ideal to use on the table or sideboard to keep hot food warm, these dishes are very flexible in use and perfect for a formal buffet. The plates can be used on their own to serve food and are lovely large size for sandwiches and other finger food.
Marks. The entrée dish bases are stamped on the body below the side handle and inside the domes with a full set of silver hallmarks. The handles have the lion mark. Originally part of a large set, one entrée dish top and base is stamped number 2 and 1, the other is stamped 4 and 4. There is a retailer stamp on the base of both entrée dishes for Turner’s, 58 & 59 New Bond St. The warmer bases are made of Old Sheffield plate by Smith, Sissons and Co.
Maker: Richard William Elliott
William Elliott (1773-1855), son of William Elliott, plateworker, of Warwick Lane. Apprenticed to Richard Gardner 1787, free 1795. William took John Angell, brother of Joseph Angell, as apprentice in 1799, at the Warwick Lane address. His first mark was entered in 6 October 1809, in partnership with Joseph William Story, working from 25 Compton St, Clerkenwell where he remained for the rest of his working life. 2nd mark alone 1813.
Among his many apprentices were Charles Fry (d. 1826) and his brother, John (d. 1859). The Frys might have been Elliott’s outworkers they entered their joint mark on 29 August 1822 and their work includes a pair of five-light candelabra, London, 1824/25, the bases of which are cast with the royal arms.
There is little information about Elliott and his workshop however the surviving silver and silver-gilt which bears his mark is of exceptional quality and displays the arms of nobility. Many of his pieces figure in prestigious collections around the world. It appears that Elliott was chief supplier of new plate to the goldsmith and jeweller, Thomas Hamlet (1770-1853). Livery 1822.
William apprenticed his son Richard William Elliott in 1825 and Elliott jnr took over running the family business in 1842. Elliott snr, a widower, retired to a five bedroom house at Northfleet Hill, near Gravesend, Kent, with commanding views of the river and countryside.
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