A George III Silver-gilt Two-handled Tray, Benjamin Smith, London, 1808

oval, the openwork border cast with grapes, grape leaves and curling tendrils, ribbon-bound berried laurel rim, the handles formed as acanthus-wrapped cornucopiae centered by double-faced panther masks and terminating in ram heads, the center engraved with contemporary arms and supporters beneath an Earl's coronet, raised on four massive scroll and crouching satyr supports, fully marked

possibly re-gilt but the right sort of color; border probably lacquered, urim underneath needs straightening in one spot, good condition
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 arms are those of Montgomerie for Hugh Montgomerie (1739-1819), 12th Earl of Eglington.  He served in the American War, was Lieutenant Governor of Edinburgh Castle 1794-98, and served as M.P. and later Lord Lieutenant for County Ayr.  He built the harbor of Ardrossan and the Paisley Canal, as well as rebuilding the Castle of Eglinton.

He married in 1772 his cousin Eleanor, 4th daughter of Robert Hamilton of Bourtree Hill, co. Ayr.  Hugh succeeded as Earl in 1796, and was made a Knight of the Thistle in 1812.  He appears in one of Robert Burns' poems as "sodger Hugh", and is often stated to have been the author of the Canadian Boat Song (The Complete Peerage).

He built up an impressive collection of gilt plate by Digby Scott, Benjamin Smith, and James Smith in the first decade of the 19th century.  This included a pair of two-color gilt baskets of  1803 (Sotheby's, New York, October 22, 2002, lot 508), a pair of egg cruets of 1805/06 (Sotheby's, London, November 20, 2003), a pair of butter tubs of 1806 (Sotheby's, New York, Oct. 18, 2001, lot 257), four circular and four oval dishes of the same year, and four kidney-shaped dishes of 1809-10 (Christie's, London, June 15, 2004, lot 32A).