A George III silver-gilt two handled tray, Benjamin Smith II, London, 1807

oval with ribbon entwined leaf and berry embellished rim, the handles cast with leopard and rams masks among fruiting vine embellishment, the border finely cast and applied with openwork fruiting vines, the centre engraved with a band of scrolling foliage flanking four baskets of fruit around a central full achievement of arms, all raised on four classical mask and hoofed leg supports, stamped to underside rim RUNDELL ET RUNDELL AURIFICES REGIS ET PRINCIPIS WALLIAE LONDINI FECERUNT, numbered 3, with scratchweight 248..17 and 0769

Sir Moses Haim Montefiore, Bt. (1784-1885)
Sir Joseph Sebag Montefiore (1822-1903), thence by family descent.
Sotheby's London, November 12 1991, lot 52 (as part of a suite)
Christies New York, October 20 1999, lot 201

The tray clearly and fully marked to the rim of the base and the edge of the centre panel. The centre is later engraved between circa 1820-40, slightly springy to the centre but not thin. Indentations of previous Montefiore arms visible to the reverse. Slight wear/discolouration to the gilding around this area and fine surface scratches. Excellent gauge of body, cast border in good condition. Overall very good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Arms are those of Montefiore impaling those of Cohen.

Originally part of an impressive three-piece suite together with a pair of tazzas, this tray belonged to Sir Moses Haim Montefiore Bt., of 35 Park Lane, London and East Cliffe Lodge, Ramsgate, Kent. He was both a committed Jew and a Patrotic Englishman, devoting a considerable part of his life to philanthropic work both at home and abroad.

Born in Tuscany to Italian parents but educated in London, his career started at the London Stock Exchange where his uncle, Moses Mocatta, purchased for him the right to practice as one of the twelve Jewish brokers there. In 1812 he married Judith Cohen, whose sister had earlier married Nathan Meyer Rothschild. As brothers-in-law the two became eventual business partners after Moses's company acted as stockbrokers to the Rothschild banking business in Britain, which Nathan headed.

After many business enterprises over the next decade, including as co-founder of Alliance Insurance Company (Sun Alliance), at the age of forty, having amassed a great fortune, Moses retired from business. After briefly serving as Sheriff of London (1837-38) and following his knighthood the same year, he dedicated the rest of his long retirement travelling to many lands, acting as an Ambassador for the Jewish faith. During nearly half a century he visited Jerusalem seven times, had audiences with the Russian Tsar and negotiated Jewish liberation with multiple European heads of state.

At a time when the average age was just over fifty, Moses lived until his one-hundredth-and-first year (1885) with his hundredth celebrated as a national event in Britain and by Jews around the world. He left behind no known legitimate children with his principal heir in both name and property his nephew Joseph Sebag Montefiore.