A Regency silver soup tureen, cover, and liner, Paul Storr, London, 1816

fluted double-bellied oval, on four paw feet with acanthus headers, the handles formed as branches extending to oak sprays with acorns, the rim with baskets of grapevine alternating with acanthus sprays on reeded ground, reeded and acanthus rosette handle finial, engraved on both sides with contemporary arms on drapery mantle, cover and liner with matching crests

Robert Townley-Parker and Harriet Brooke of Cuerden Hall, Preston and of Astley, to their son
Thomas Townley-Parker (d. 1906), to his nephew
Reginal Arthur Tatton of Chelford, co. Cheshire, by descent to
Captain T.A. Tatton, M.C., and probably sold
Christie's, London, 12 December 1928

some overall wear, particularly to rim, dings to liner around base, otherwise good, nice weight and unusual pattern
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 Townley-Parker impaling Brooke for Robert Townley-Parker, Esq. of Cuerden Hall, and of Astley (1793-1879), M.P. for Preston 1837-1857, J.P. and D.L., High Sheriff 1817, and his wife Harriet, youngest daughter of Thomas Brooke, Esq. of Church Minshull, co. Chester.  The married December 21, 1816, the year of this tureen.  At this time, he was also remodeling Cuerden and landscaping its park, the two forming an important monument to the early Picturesque.  On Robert's death in 1879, he was described as "one of the chief proprietors among the landed gentry in the county of Lancaster" (Illustrated London News).

The plate supplied by Storr on the occasion of the Townley-Parker nuptials included this tureen and its pair (it is numbered 2), a two-handled tray sold Christie's, South Kensington, 24 February 2009, lot 137, a meat dish formerly with Partridge, sold Christie's, New York, 17 May 2006, lot 143, and a toasted cheese dish formerly in the Morrie Moss Collection (1972 catalogue, plate 196, pp. 262-62).