Service à entremets en vermeil par Johan Friderich Fritz, Strasbourg, 1773, quatre fourchettes, quatre cuillères et un couteau par Wenzel Gutman, Vienne, 1790

modèle filet à épaulement, orné d'une rose feuillagée, gravé d'un cimier et de sa devise AUSPICE DEC VIRUM EXTULI MARI, comprenant 16 cuillères (spoons), 16 fourchettes (forks), 12 couteaux à fruits (fruit knives), dans un écrin en bois naturel

overall good condition and nice original colour, 4 forks, 4 spoons and 1 knife, Wenzel Gutmann, Vienna, 1790.
"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."

La devise et le cimier sont ceux de William Phillips (1751-1828). D'origne obscure, ce londonien fit fortune en développant un système de loterie parralèle et illégal, et cotoya ainsi les plus grands princes et fortunes de l'époque.

"William Phillips, Esq., who died a few days ago, in Cavendish Square, aged 77, experienced very extraordinary vicissitudes during his long life. His origin was obscure, and his education extremely defective; but his energies induced him to commit follies, which, however, a Jury did not visit with penal consequences. He was the inventor of illegal insurance in the lottery, and to such an extent was his nefarious traffic carried on, that between Temple Bar and the Royal Exchange, nearly twenty branch illegal lottery offices were established in holes and corners, where miserable wretches gave their single shilling to insure the receipt of one guinea, on the event of a particular number being drawn on the following day. The managers were his servants, and at the close of each night's business, the books were taken to his private residence and means given to pay such few of the deluded victims as might chance to have a pittance to receive. In those times, it was no unusual thing to see beggarly paupers carrying their beds to the pawnbroker's, to raise the wind, and venture their last stake. Notwithstanding the odds were so fearfully against the insured, tradesmen, and even persons of rank, were dupes to a large amount, and when Parliament put an end to the system, Mr Phillips had realized a large fortune, to which mighty additions were made by the successes which attended indoor play, at No. 40, Pallmall. In his house expenditure he was prodigal in the extreme, and his money transactions and loans were furnished to princes of the highest rank. His gallantries were extensive. He married a third time late in life, and has left a young family, every branch of which is amply provided for. Mr Phillips for many years associated with the Contractors of the Lottery, and by its profits added heaps to his wealth. He lived long enough to expiate, by his extensive charities and deeds of benevolence, the errors of early life.' (The Morning Chronicle, London, Monday, 22 December 1828, p. 3)

 

Mr Phillips's Newfoundland dog, which he named 'Friend,' was the subject of a celebrated painting by George Morland (1763-1804), which became widely known after it was engraved by William Ward.