A George III two-color silver-gilt five-basket presentation epergne, John Wakelin & William Taylor, London, 1782

In yellow and rose gilding, the central basket vertically fluted and pierced with a band of matted classical scrolling foliage, engraved with lengthy inscriptions on sides and base, also engraved with contemporary arms, the opposite side lightly flat-chased with the kill below the words "the blood of old conqueror," the stand with an openwork apron of finely chased classical foliage and fitted with four screw-on fluted dishes with beaded rims, the central basket with detachable two-handled liner, fully marked on frame and basket liner, maker's mark and lion passant on dishes

Col. Thomas Thornton
(probably) Colonel Thonrton Wodehouse, R.A.
(probably) Christie's, London, Handsome Old Presentation Plate, the Property of Major Thornton Wodehouse, R.A., and from the Collection of the late Colonel T. Thornton, of Falconers' Hall and Thornville Royal, Yorkshire, June 11, 1884, lot 17
Christie's, London, 25 March 1953, lot 153
Thomas Lumley Ltd., London

Robert Rowe, Adam Silver, 1965, fig. 37A
Hilary Young, "The silver designs of Sir William Chambers: a resumé and recent discoveries," The SIlver Society Journal (Autumn 1995), p. 341

some reinforcements to behind foliage in frame, one basket with replaced screw thread
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The inscriptions read (around central bowl):
"COLL THORNTON received this Piece of Plate of SIR HARRY FEATHERSTONE and SIR JOHN RAMSDEN Barts; as a compromise to a Bett made in honor of a Hambleton Fox: COLL. THORNTON by his original bett engaged for 300 Guineas P.P. to find a FOX at Hunts Whint, or in the Easingwold Country, that after Christmas 1779 should run Twenty Miles.  The Day to be fixed and Morning approved by COLL. THORNTON, and to be determined by SIR J. RAMSDEN and SIR H: FEATHERSTONE, or the Company up."

On base:
"CERTIFICATE
We the under-mentioned do declare that on a day appointed for the decision of a Bett made by COLL. THORNTON with SR J: RAMSDEN and SR H: FEATHERSTONE, that a Fox broke off in view of the Hounds and Company which Fox was killed, after a continued Burst (there not being one Check) by the different Watches for two Hours and Thirty-Eight Minutes.  And we being the only Gentlemen up, do believe the said Fox ran at least Twenty Eight Miles.

COLL T. being a party concerned gave no Vote.

Lascelles Lascelles, Henry Kitchinman, Val: Kitchinman, Wm Dawson, Ranp. Marriott

N:B. There were only Eight Horsemen out of Seventy up."

The arms are thos of Thornton.  They are enclosed by phrases which appear to be more dedicatory than heraldic mottoes, as follows: Le. Protector Et. L'Idole Des. Soldats: Fiez Vous En Nous and La Verite Gagnera.

Colonel Thomas Thornton (1757-1823) was a well-known, even notorious sportsman and patron of sporting artists.  Scion of a distinguished Yorkshire family, while still in college he developed a passion for fox hunting, coursing, horse racing, and the almost obsolete art of falconry.  "His bodily activity was remarkable.  In a walking match he went four miles in 32 minutes.  In leaping he cleared his own height (5 feet 9 inches) for a considerable bet.  In another match he leapt over six five-barred gates in six minutes, then performed the same feat on horseback." (James Edmund Harting, Bibliotheca Accipitraria, pp. vi-vii).  In 1771 he founded the Falconers' Society, whose members presented him with a magnificent falcon-themed tea urn in silver-gilt by Wakelin and Taylor (Sotheby's, New York, October 24, 2000, lot 309).

The same silversmiths were employed by Sir Harry Featherstone (1754-1846) and Sir John Ramsden to fulfill the bet inscribed on the piece.  Sir Harry was a wealthy sportsman, heir to Uppark (now owned by the National Trust).  He was part of the Prince Regent's circle, hunted in Leicestershire, attended racing at Newmarket, Lewes, and Goodwood, and at the time the hunt was run was enjoying Emma Hart (later Emma Hamilton) as his mistress. 

Sir John Ramsden (1755-1839) of Byrom was the 4th Baronet.  At the time of the race, he was M.P. for Grampound.  In 1787 he married the Hon. Louisa Susan Ingram-Shepherd, youngest daughter and co-heir of Charles, 9th Viscount Irvine of Temple Newsam; a room called "Sir John Ramsden's Dressing Room" still exists at Temple Newsam today.  Many  years later he commissioned a pair of wine coolers with rams' head handles from Robert Garrard (sold Sotheby's, New York, October 23, 2006, lot 186).

A design for this epergne, in ink and pink wash, is held by the Victoria and Albert Museum.  Hilary Young associates it with the circles of William Chambers and John Yenn:
"the conception of the pieces is architectural, with its spool-shaped support, cornucopia branches and elegant neoclassical pierced borders and openwork scrolls.  The draughtmanship is assured and characteristic of a hand trained in an architect's office; and in this it is in marked contrast to the foot hesitantly added in pencil to the right leg, presumably by the working goldsmith charged with the job of executing it." (Young, op. cit.)
The sophistication of the design puts it into the advanced taste of its day, exactly as one would expect from retailers such as Parker and Wakein, and for such fashionable clients as Sir John Ramsden, Sir Harry Featherstone, and Colonel Thornton.