A pair of George III silver-gilt decanter stands, Digby Scott & Benjamin Smith, London, 1806, retailed by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell

circular, the ovolo bases supporting shallow sides with applied cast and pierced grape-laden vine borders, the centres each engraved with a coat of arms, motto, supporters and duke's coronet, the undersides with wood and baize bases, the rims stamped: 'RUNDELL BRIDGE ET RUNDELL AURIFICES REGIS ET PRINCIPIS WALLIÆ'

Henry Pelham, 4th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyme and by descent to
Henry Pelham Archibald Douglas, 7th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyme, by whom sold
Christie's, London, 7 July 1921, lot 72 (two of eight)
A South American Private Collection, Sotheby's, New York, 27 April 1990, lot 359

Hallmarks clear to rim of each base. Retailers mark clearly incuse stamped. The engraved arms and cast borders are nice and crisp. The gilding is of good colour. Nice items, excellent 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."

The arms are those of Clinton quartering Pelham for Henry Pelham, 4th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Born on 31 January 1785, he was known as Lord Clinton until 1794 when he was styled Earl of Lincoln. The following year, however, he succeed to the dukedom upon the death of his father on 18 May. He was married in 1807 to Georgiana Elizabeth, second daughter of Edward Miller Mundy, of Shipley, co. Derby. She, who possessed landed estates worth £12,000 a year and the sum of £190,000, died in childbirth at Clumber Park in 1822.

According to The Complete Peerage, the Duke 'was an extreme Tory and one of the 22 ''stalwarts'' who voted against the third reading of the Reform Bill, 4 June 1832, after Wellington and the great bulk of the opposition had decided to abstain. His memorable speech with respect to some ejected tenants at Newark - ''Shall I not do what I like with my own?'' - inflamed the mob to such a pitch that they burnt down his mansion at Nottingham Castle . . ., which has never since been rebuilt.' He died at Clumber on 12 January 1851.