A Victorian Parcel-gilt Silver Centerpiece, Elkington & Co., Birmingham, the design attributed to Auguste Adolphe Willms, 1866

the base supported on winged dolphin head feet, and with wide border decorated with panels of Bacchic putti centered by female masks, fitted with two removable kidney-shaped porcelain bowls with gilt scroll borders, the ends of the base with twin-tailed figures of Neptune supporting detachable shell-form dishes above their heads and flanked by rearing mer-horses, the central support decorated with flowerheads and lotus leaves and flanked by two joyous putti under an openwork basket pierced with panels of cherries spaced by beaded tendrils and hung with swags of chains, the central basket with removable cut-glass bowl, the shell-form dishes with removable glass liners

the central glass bowl and glass liners to shells in good condition, may be replacements, and chains may have been slightly altered; otherwise good condition, nice and crisp, good contrast between gilt and white sections, and powerful modeling
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.

A similar parcel-gilt table garniture by Elkington was sold by Sotheby's, New York, 12-13 December 1978, lot 109.  Dated 1881, this garniture consists of a centerpiece bowl, mirror plateau, four shell-form compotes and a pair of pierced shell-form compotes, each enameled with the arms of the City of Liverpool.  The centerpiece bowl of this garniture, which was illustrated on the catalogue cover, is raised on twin-tailed Neptune supports nearly identical to the present lot.  Additionally, the shell-form bowls of the pierced compotes match the removable pierced shell dishes supported by Neptune at the ends of this centerpiece.