A George II silver two-handled cup and cover, John Le Sage, London, 1732

the bell-shaped body and domed detachable cover applied with Regence strapwork, engraved one one side with a coat-of-arms and on the lid with a crest, scratch weight: '95_''5'

Edward Steinkopff (1838?-1906), German born entrepreneur and art collector, sold Christie’s, London, 10 July 1935, lot 115 (purchased by Crichton Brothers, £202 8sh. 5d.)

Thomas Geoffrey Blackwell (1884-1943), deputy-chairman of Crosse & Blackwell Ltd., sauce &c. manufacturers and art collector, sold by order of Miss Mary Blackwell and John Geoffrey Blackwell Esq., Christie’s, London, 29 June 1955, lot 135 (purchased by Garrard & Co. Ltd., £680)

Clear marks to underside of body and rim of cover. Nice crisp arms. Superb gauge. Split around junction between stem and foot following natural seam. Overall pitting through polishing but good antique 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 Conolly impaling Wentworth for the Rt. Hon. William James Conolly (d. 1754), who was elected to the Irish House of Commons for Ballyshannon in 1727. He, who succeeded to the estate of his wealthy uncle, William Conolly (1662-1729), Speaker of the Irish House of Commons from 1715 until his death, married in 1733 Lady Anne, daughter of Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (1672-1739). As Lord Raby, Lady Anne’s father had been appointed ambassador to Berlin in 1705; his ambassadorial plate included a great cistern weighing over 2,500 ounces (Philip Rollos, London, 1705/06), which was sold by Sotheby’s, London, on 6 July 2010 (lot 8).

Shortly after Conolly’s marriage, he declared in a letter of 2 May 1733 to his father-in-law, Lord Strafford, that: ‘You have made me as completely happy as my wishes could have done in giving me dear Lady Anne, and though this is wrote in the hunnymoon [sic], I believe I shall be able to say as much seven years hence.’ (British Library Add. MS 22,228, f.77, quoted in A.P.W. Malcomson, The Pursuit of the Heiress, Aristocratic Marriage in Ireland, 1740-1840, Belfast, 2006, p. 113)