George II Antique Silver Dinner Plates

Object Description

A very desirable set of plain styled antique silver plates with handsome gadroon borders. Hand engraved to each top rim is an expansive armorial with a motto below. Excellent quality. Each is numbered on the underside (range 06-97) showing that the plates originally formed part of a very large set.

Total weight 6071 grams, 195.2 troy ounces.
Diameter 24.8cm.
London 1756.
Maker William Sanden.
18th century
Sterling silver.

Marks. Each plate is stamped underneath with a full and matching set of English silver hallmarks.

Arms. The coat of arms is displayed within a shield above the family motto “Che sara sara” – “Whatever will be, will be”. In addition, the escutcheon of the Knights and Ladies of the Garter encircles the coat of arms with the motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense” – “Shame to him who thinks evil of it”.

Maker: William Sanden

William Sanden (Sanders), London silversmith, no record of apprenticeship or freedom. Grimwade suggests that William Sanden, one mark entered as largeworker at St Martins La Grande in 1755, is the same person as William Sanders listed as a smallworker working at Old Bailey in 1773.

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Object Literature

Dinner plates were usually made in dozens and larger quantities and often came as part of a suite of dishes including soup plates, oval serving plates and mazerines. These dishes very often came from grand houses and have finely executed coats of arms.

Object Condition

This large set of 18th century silver plates is in very good condition. Moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. The engraved armorials with slight loss of definition, a few minor dinks present, light scratching and wear from use which has not been polished away.

Object Details