A George IV silver two-handled cup and cover, Edward Barton, retailed by Wordley & Mayer, London, 1837

embossed with a scene of an elderly man, a widow and an orphan knocking at the door of a night Asylum, the reverse engraved with presentation inscription to  ' Egertin Smith Esq. [...] for the Establishment of the Permanent Night Asylum for the Housless Poor. 1838', signed 'Wordley & Mayer fecit, Liverpool', gilt interior

Hallmarked on finial, cover, body. Overall 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. 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."

Egerton Smith (1774–1841) joined his father in the Liverpool family firm which was making navigational instruments. He founded the Liverpool Mercury newspaper in 1811 and then a weekly magazine, the Kaleidoscope in 1818. He was also a philanthropist and contributed to the establishment of the first permanent night shelter in 1830, the Liverpool night asylum. The presentation of this cup, together with 'a very chaste breakfast and tea service,' to Egerton Smith took place during dinner in honour of the recipient at the Mersey Hotel, Liverpool, on Wednesday evening, 13 June 1838. A contemporary description of the cup reads: 'An elegant Medicean-shaped silver cup and cover, with two handles formed of branches of the vine entwined with leaves, and running along each side of the body of the cup, on the flange of which is a finely-executed group in alto relievo of a beautiful female figure of Beneficence; on her right arm is leaning a venerable looking old man, whose body is bent with age and his tottering steps supported by a staff, and by her left hand she holds a youth, - both of whom she is conducting to a house, on the door frieze of which are written ''Night Asylum,'' and on one of the panels the words ''Knock, and it shall be opened.''' (The Liverpool Mercury, Liverpool, Friday, 15 June 1838, p. 192)