George III Silver Entrée Dishes by Paul Storr

Object Description

A fine pair of antique sterling silver serving dishes with matching cushion shape covers and magnificent detachable lion mounted ring handles. Elegant plain styling with a broad band of ribbing and gadroon borders. Excellent quality and good gauge silver as you’d expect from this world famous English silversmith. The covers are mounted front and back with royal armorial plaques having the motto “Honi Soit Qui Mal YPense” and the crest of a centaur holding a bow and arrow. These are the arms of the Fitzmaurice family (the Marquesses of Lansdowne). The same armorial is hand engraved to the front and back of the bases. Silver weight 4021 grams, 129 troy ounces. Height 15.5 cms. (to top of handle). Base measures 26.5 x 22 cms. London 1810. Maker Paul Storr.

Biography – Paul Storr (1771 – 1844), was one of the most talented silversmiths of the late Georgian period. Today his legacy of exceptionally well crafted silver can be found worldwide in museums and private collections. Son of Thomas Storr, a silver chaser, he was apprenticed in 1785 to Andrew Fogelberg. First mark entered as plateworker in partnership with William Frisbee in 1792. Second mark alone 1793. 3rd mark 1793. 4th mark 1794. 5th mark 1799. Subsequent 6th – 12th marks entered 1807-1834. By the beginning of the nineteenth century he had established himself as one of London’s top silversmiths producing, amongst others, commissions for Royalty.

In 1801 he married Elizabeth Susanna Beyer with whom he was to have ten children. In 1807 Paul Storr entered into a working relationship with Philip Rundell and by 1811 was a partner, and managing the workshops for Rundell, Bridge & Rundell.

During this period he kept his own marks and separate workshop. However it was through Rundell, Bridge & Rundell who were appointed Goldsmith in Ordinary to George III in 1804 that his reputation as a master silversmith grew. His talents lay in being able to transform ideas and designs from Rundell, Bridge & Rundell’s designers, William Theed II, the chief modeller and head of the design department, and later John Flaxman II who succeeded him in 1817. During this period Rundell, Bridge & Rundell’s reputation grew due to the patronage of the Prince Regent (later George IV).

Storr left RUNDELL, BRIDGE & RUNDELL in 1819 and soon went into partnership with John Mortimer, the assistant of a retiring retail goldsmith and jeweller, WILLIAM GRAY, of 13 New Bond Street. The firm was renamed STORR & MORTIMER. Under their agreement, Storr concentrated on the manufacture of goods for Mortimer to sell in the shop at 13 New Bond Street. Storr and Mortimer, now manufacturing and retail goldsmiths, jewellers and silversmiths with an influential clientele, moved to 156, New Bond Street, in 1838.

Storr retired to Tooting in 1839 and died in 1844.

Object History

Signed – The armorials are of the Fitzmaurice family – Marquesses of Lansdowne. The tureens were probably commissioned by the 3rd Marquess (1780-1863).

Object Literature

“Honi soit qui mal y pense” Anglo-Norman maxim that means, “May he be shamed who thinks badly of it”. These words were apparently first uttered by England’s King Edward III in the 14th century. At that time, he reigned over a part of France, and the language spoken at the English court, among the aristocracy and clergy, and in courts of law was Norman French, as it had been since the time of William the Conqueror of Normandy, starting in 1066. The saying’s most famous use is as the motto of the British chivalric Order of the Garter.8841

Object Condition

These handsome tureens are in very good condition with no damage or restoration. All the bases, lids and handle plates are marked with matching English silver hallmarks and the Paul Storr maker’s stamp. Some marks rubbed but readable. Originally from at least a set of four, the top is numbered 3 and 4, the bases are numbered 3 and 1. Light scratching inside the bases. The lids close well with minor gaps.

Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Object Details