The Sampaio Service: A Suite of Three George IV Silver Meat Platters with Sheffield-plated Covers en suite, Paul Storr, London, 1823-24

of shaped oval form, with gadroon and fluted rims with shells and foliage at the angles, borders engraved on each side with contemporary arms under a baron's coronet, the conforming covers applied with the same arms cast in silver and with silver handles

Henrique Teixeira de Sampaio, 1^st Conde de Povoa and Barao de Teixeira (1774-1833), to his daughter
Dona Maria Luisa de Sampaio Noronha, who married in 1836 Don Domingos de Sousa Holstein, 2^nd Duke de Palmella (1818-1864)
By descent in the Casa Palmella, Lisbon, sold
Christie's, Geneva, 27 April 1976,

The Azura Palace, "The Portuguese Taste in English Art," 1958

R. dos Santos and I. Quilho, Ourivesaria Portuguesa nas Coleccoes Particulares, Lisbon, 1974, p.117, illustrated in the dining room of the Casa Palmella

surfaces of platters cleaned up, all with bruises to lower borders, smallest cover slightly messy at lower borders, medium one with leaf of surmounting rosette bent up, otherwise good, impressive, minimal bleeding
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.

Henrique Teixera de Sampaio had a very successful career first as a merchant, with particular ties to England, then as a statesman, becoming Minister of Finance, President of the Exchequer, and receiving several awards and decorations.

These dishes are part of the extensive service for 180 persons, ordered by the Conde de Povoa from Paul Storr in 1822-23.  This was exactly at the moment that Storr, who left Rundell, Bridge and Rundell in 1819, opened a retail shop in New Bond Street in partnership with John Mortimer.  The Sampaio service represents one of the most elaborate productions of the new shop, and proves its ability to rival Rundell's. 

The service included a pair of large soup tureens and a pair of four-light candelabrum centerpieces, sold Sotheby's, New York, 28-29 October 1988, lots 218-219; an eight-light centerpiece presented to the Preservation Society of Newport County by Mr. & Mrs. Claus von Bulow, a pair of smaller soup tureens sold Christie's, New York, 20 October 1999, lot 206, from the collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, a pair of sauce boats sold from the same 11 April 1995, lot 264, and a suite of six candelabra, the same rooms, 19 April 2002, lot 348.