Paire de présentoirs en argent, poinçon de maître TH une ancre, Londres, 1670

chacun gravé d'armoiries, les bords striés, sur un pied postérieur, poinçon de maître uniquement, ES entre 8 et 7 dans un cartouche mouvementé, vers 1687, le bord de chaque pied également marqué d'un autre poinçon, apparemment TF dans un monogramme

each engraved with a contemporary coat-of-arms (three ox heads cabossed, two and one, quartering a lion rampant) within a crossed plume cartouche ; later pedestal bases, maker's mark only, ES in script between 8 and 7 in a shaped punch, circa 1687, the rim of each foot also struck with another mark, apparently TF in monogram

Sold by order of the Executors of the late William George Hood Walrond, 2nd Baron Waleran (1905-1966) and the Bradfield Trustees, Christie's, London, 3 December 1969, lot 112.

These dishes are in very good condition, with good marks and very attractive engraving and patinas. The added feet, as is suggested in the catalogue description and footnote, probably date from the late 17th Century (circa 1687); it is thought that the marks are those of a local West Country silversmith who was responsible for the addition of the feet. The arms are without colours (which is correct for the period) and the arms of Mompesson of Bathamton, co. Wilts, should be 'Ar. a lion ramp. sa. charged on the shoulder with a mertlet of the field', and of Mompesson of Norfolk should be 'Ar. a lion ramp. sa. on the shoulder a dolphin or.', whereas the lions rampant on the present dishes do not have any distinguishing marks. It should be noted, however, that the crest of Walrond of Bradfield is an heraldic tiger. This heralding tiger crest is engraved on the snuffers sold with the snuffers tray bearing the same arms as these dishes, Christie's, London, 26 June 1974, lot 124.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Les armes sont celles de Sir William Walrond (1630-1689) of Bradfield, county of Devon.

Quand ces plats furent vendus chez Christie's en 1969, il fut mentionné que les poinçons « 8ES7 » et « TF dans un monogram » se retrouvaient sur une cuillère de 1690. Il fut alors suggéré que les poinçons étaient ceux d'un orfèvre travaillant dans une ville du Devonshire, soit Tiverton ou bien Cullompton, les deux étant près de Bradfield, où se situent les terres des Waldron depuis le XIIe siècle. Un encrier au même poinçon de maître et un porte-mouchette aux même armes, poinçon de maître BB un croissant dessous, tous Londres, 1670, voir Christie's Londres, 26 Juin 1974, lots 124 & 125.

***

The arms are thought to be those of Walrond quartering Mompesson for Sir William Walrond (1630-1689, will proved 8 October 1689 [UK National Archives, PROB 11/396]) of Bradfield, co. Devon, whose wife was Dinah, daughter and co-heir of Sir Thomas Mompesson. Upon Sir William's death the Bradfield estate passed to his brother, Henry Walrond of Columpton. Thereafter Bradfield descended to William Henry Walrond (1762-1845) whose elder daughter, Frances, married in 1815 Benjamin Bowden Dickinson. By royal licence dated 1845 the latter assumed the name and arms of Walrond. His grandson, William Hood Walrond (1849-1925) was elevated to the peerage as Baron Waleran, of Uffculme, co. Devon, in 1905.

When these footed dishes were sold at Christie's in 1969, it was noted that the '8ES7' and 'TF in monogram' marks had been found on a trefid spoon of about 1690. It was suggested that these may have been the marks of a silversmith working in the Devonshire towns of either Tiverton or Cullompton, both of which are near Bradfield, the estate where the Walrond family claim to have been seated since the reign of Henry II in the 12th Century.

For a casket inkstand with the same maker's mark as the present dishes, and a snuffers tray, maker's mark BB, a crescent below, all London, 1670, engraved with the same arms as these footed dishes, see Christie's, London, 26 June 1974, lots 124 and 125.