First Jewish Lord Mayor of London: A pair of George III silver sauce tureens and covers, William Burwash and Richard Sibley, London, 1807

each circular with gadrooned body on conforming pedestal foot, scrolling vine handles, matching cover with hoop finial, crested on both sides

covers numbered 1 and 4, tureens numbered 1 and 3; good condition, nice heavy weight
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 crest of a twin-tailed lion is that of Salomons for David Salomons, later 1st Bart. (1797-1873), the first Jewish Lord Mayor of London, founder of the London and Westminster Bank, the first Jew to speak in the House of Commons, and a campaigner for equal rights for people of all faiths.  He married in 1823 Jeanette Cohen, niece of both Sir Moses Montefiore and Nathan de Rothschild.

In 1835 he was elected as the first Jewish Sheriff of the city of London, but could not take up the position until the oath was altered to remove the Christian elements; in 1839 he was elected High Sheriff of Kent, where his home Broomhill is now the Salomons museum.  In 1835 he was also elected Alderman, but was disqualified because of the oath, which was not changed for this position; he was re-elected in 1847 when the oath was altered, and in 1855 was elected Lord Mayor.

In 1851 he was elected to the House of Commons for Greenwich; after taking the oath but leaving out the Christian phrases, he was eventually removed by the Sergeant-at-Arms and fined £500 for the three votes in which he participated.  He was re-elected in 1859 when the law was changed, and served until his death in 1873