A George II Silver Snuffers Tray from the Anson Service, Paul de Lamerie, London, 1739

of hourglass form, on four husk-decorated scroll feet, the body cast and chased at each end with recessed shell fluting filled with overlapping flowers and scalework, the rim decorated with shells, beading and terminating in two scrolled leaves, the raised handle cast with a leaf and shells, center engraved with a crest and baron's coronet

The arms are those of Anson quartering Carrier for Admiral George Anson (1697-1762), son of William Anson of Shugborough, and his wife, Isabella Carrier. 

Admiral George Anson, thence by descent to the Earl of Lichfield
Christie's, 8 June 1893, lot 4
Christie's, 14 December 1920, lot 100

 

Antiques Magazine, June 1994.

slight crack at right support of handle but not through, 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.

Admiral George Anson joined the Navy in 1712 at the age of fourteen, and was promoted through the ranks until 1761 when he was appointed admiral of the fleet.  From 1740-44 he circumnavigated the globe and is best know for capturing a Spanish galleon containing treasure and bullion amounting to £500,000.  He returned to England with a hero's welcome and the contents of the ship were "paraded in triaumph through the City [of London] in a procession of thirty-two wagons, the ship's company marching with colors flying and band playing" (The Dictionary of National Biography, 1975 ed., s.v. "Anson").

In 1747, Anson received substaintial prize money for his feat and was promoted to the peerage as Baron Anson of Soberton.  In the same year, he was also responsible for the capture of the French ship, L'Invincible, which was worth £300,000.  Anson married secondly in 1748 Lady Elizabeth Yorke, daughter of lord chancellor, Philip, Earl of Hardwicke.  From 1751, with a short intermission in 1756, he served as First Lord of the Admiralty until his death in 1762.

Amongst the fifty-six items commissioned by Anson from Paul de Lamerie and sold at Christie's in June, 1893 were a dinner service, candelabra, soup tureen, inkstand, cruet frames, salvers and sauceboats and a fine snuffers tray.  A fine fish slice by Lamerie with the Anson arms was sold from the Jamie Ortiz-Patiño collection, Sotheby's, New York, 22 April 1998, lot 30, and is now in the Jerome and Rita Gans Collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts ($167,500)