RESERVED - PAUL STORR. The magnificent Armadale Castle Dish & Cover made in London in 1803 by Paul Storr.
RESERVED - PAUL STORR. The magnificent Armadale Castle Dish & Cover made in London in 1803 by Paul Storr.
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This important Dish and Cover is of large size and would have been used for serving joints of meat, roast poultry and fish and is modelled in a large oval form with raised borders decorated with a gadrooned border. Each side is engraved with a contemporary Armorial, with supporters each side and a coronet above. The banner below is engraved with the family motto.
Most unusually, however, the dish still possess its original silver cover, which would have created a spectacular impression in the dining room. The cover has a high stepped oval form and is decorated with reeding and lobed bands, in addition to a central horizontal band of overlapping roundels. Both the front and reverse is engraved with the same arms, as are engraved on the dish. The cover rises to a very finely detailed cast coiled serpent finial, with textured surface to simulate the skin of the serpent. This is a most unusual design for Paul Storr, especially the shaped cover.
The Armorial, Coronet and Motto are those of Macdonald for Alexander Wentworth Macdonald, 2nd Baron Macdonald (9th December 1773-19th June 1824), of Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye. Macdonald was the eldest son of Alexander Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald of Skye, Scotland, and his wife Elizabeth Diana. He succeeded his father to the barony in 1795. From 1796 he sat in the House of Commons as M.P. for Saltash, a seat which he held until 1802. Two images of the castle are attached, which is sadly a ruin today. A painting of the 2nd Baron is also shown by John Russell. Lord Macdonald extended and restored the family seat, Armadale Castle and died in June 1824. He was succeeded in his titles by his younger brother, Godfrey Macdonald, 3rd Baron Macdonald of Sleat.
The Dishes are in exceptional condition and are of an excellent weight expected from Paul Storr, the greatest of all British Silversmiths. They are fully marked on the dishes, covers and finials. As you will appreciate, most dishes do not have covers, and when they do they are usually made from old Sheffield plate. To find a silver dish and cover is very special. We must also point out that the Armorials look worn on the bottom dishes in one of the images, this is not the case, it is just the angle the strong light was shining on them during photography. The Armorials are intact in all locations.
Length: 16.25 inches.
Width: 10.75 inches.
Height: 8 inches.
Weight: 103oz.
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, of Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye. Macdonald was the eldest son of Alexander Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald of Skye, Scotland, and his wife Elizabeth Diana. He succeeded his father to the barony in 1795. From 1796 he sat in the House of Commons as M.P. for Saltash, a seat which he held until 1802. Two images of the castle are attached, which is sadly a ruin today. A painting of the 2nd Baron is also shown by John Russell. Lord Macdonald extended and restored the family seat, Armadale Castle and died in June 1824. He was succeeded in his titles by his younger brother, Godfrey Macdonald, 3rd Baron Macdonald of Sleat.The Dishes are in exceptional condition and are of an excellent weight expected from Paul Storr, the greatest of all British Silversmiths. They are fully marked on the dishes, covers and finials. As you will appreciate, most dishes do not have covers, and when they do they are usually made from old Sheffield plate. To find a silver dish and cover is very special. We must also point out that the Armorials look worn on the bottom dishes in one of the images, this is not the case, it is just the angle the strong light was shining on them during photography. The Armorials are intact in all locations. Length: 16.25 inches.Width: 10.75 inches.Height: 8 inches.Weight: 103oz. ){kind=link}