A pair of George III silver serving dishes ensuite part of the 2nd Earl of Pomfret's service, Parker and Wakelin, London, 1762

Sotheby's, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire, 17-19 May 2005, lot 920

These meat dishes and the accompanying lots from this dinner service were ordered by George, 2nd Earl of Pomfret, Lord of the Bedchamber to George III and Ranger of Little Park Windsor from the London silversmith Parker and Wakelin.

The great array of dishes forming the 2nd Earl of Pomfret dining plate continued a pattern established in the early 18th century. The arrangement of the various shaped and sized dishes across the table originated with le service à la française and was promoted amongst English aristocrats by Vincent La Chapelle's The Modern Cook, 1736. Each course had to be laid on the table in a prescribed dish and location. The service offered here, ordered at the time of the 2nd Earl's marriage, served the luxurious dining customs of the mid-18th century.

Parker and Wakelin were one of the most successful goldsmith firms of the second half of the 18th century. In 1760 John Parker and Edward Wakelin took over George Wickes business in Panton Street, London, upon the his retirement. George Wickes had been the Royal goldsmith and served an illustrious range of customers, including Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales and the Duke of Leinster. In taking on the valuable tools, workshop and employees from Wickes, Parker and Wakelin laid important foundations for their new partnership which took effect from 29 September 1760. Edward Wakelin brought a practical knowledge of silversmithing and workshop management to the business, whilst John Parker had connections with the nobility, financial resources and retailers. The firm was innovative in creating a complex network of outworkers and specialist makers, much of which is recorded in the surviving account books held by the Victoria and Albert Museum and research published in Helen Clifford, Silver in London: The Parker and Wakelin Partnership 1760-76, 2004.