A George III Silver Meat Platter, Cover and Sheffield-plated warming stand, Paul Storr, London, 1806, 1812

the shaped oval platter with molded gadrooned rim, border crested, the high domed cover with gadrooned band, engraved on both sides with arms and supporters beneath an earl's coronet, twisted serpent finial centered by a patera of water leaves, the warming stand with scroll handles, raised on four wood knob feet, platter marked on base, 1812, cover fully marked, 1806, numbered No" 1, and with scratch weight 119" 15, stand marked on base for Smith, Tate, Nicholson & Hoult, Sheffield, circa 1810

crest on platter does not correspond with arms on cover, 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 on the cover are those of Wyndham, Earls of Egremont, for George O'Brien (Wyndham), 3rd Earl of Egremont of Petworth (1751-1838), FRS 1797, FSA 1800, Lord Lieut. of Sussex 1819-35, Vice Admiral of Sussex 1820-31.  He succeeded in 1763 and died almost 75 years later.  He married in 1801 Elizabeth Ilive (sic), daughter of the Rev. Iliffe.  By her he had six children before marriage, but no surviving children thereafter.  He was described as "a pretty man' by Mrs. Delaney, "handsome" by Horace Walpole, and in 1834 "that fine old fellow" by Charles Greville.  

The 3rd Earl today is best known today as a patron of the arts, supporting Turner, Romney, William Blake, Henry Fuseli, John Opie, John Flaxman, and Richard Westmacott among others.   He kept a generous open house at Petworth, described by many of his contemporaries.  In line with this, he created the large Square Dining Room at the house between 1795 and 1799, then commissioned an extensive dinner service - including 119 plates - from Paul Storr in 1806-07 (partly sold Christie's, London, March 21, 1979, lot 35).  This was exhibited by Rundell's at their Ludgate Hill premises before being delivered to the Earl (Chris Hartop, Royal Goldsmiths: The Art of Rundell & Bridge, 1797-1843, p. 64).  Further plate included ten rams' head wine coolers by Storr, 1812, and ten candelabra, 1807-15, by the same; examples of both are still at Petworth.  One of a pair of massive baskets by Storr, 1812, was in the Al-Tajir collection and recently entered the Gans Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

He complemented his hospitality with extensive charity, estimated at over £2 million pounds over 60 years.  Charles Greville applied to him Burke's phrase, "Delighting to reign in the dispensation of happiness."