The Birr Castle Dinner Plates, from the collection of the 2nd Earl of Rosse. An exceptionally fine set of twelve early George III Dinner Plates made in London in 1761 by George Methuen.
The Birr Castle Dinner Plates, from the collection of the 2nd Earl of Rosse. An exceptionally fine set of twelve early George III Dinner Plates made in London in 1761 by George Methuen.
374938
The Dinner Plates are of a shaped circular form and display a raised rim which is decorated with an applied gadrooned band. The border of each plate is finely engraved with an Armorial, with supporters each side, the Coronet of an Earl above and a motto engraved on a banner below. The Plates are in excellent condition, are of a very good gauge, and have a very fine colour. Each plate is very well marked on the reverse.
The Armorial is that as used by Lawrence Parsons, 5th Baronet of Birr Castle and 2nd Earl of Rosse. The Earl was member of Parliament for Dublin University 1782-1790 and King's County 1791-1800 and 1801-1807. He was Colonel of the King's County Regiment of Militia 1791-1798, a Privy Councillor of Ireland from 1805, Lord of the Irish Treasury and joint Postmaster General of Ireland. He also sat in Parliament in London as a representative peer for Ireland. His seat was the beautiful Birr Caste, County Offaly, Ireland.
With regard to the maker of these fine plates, George Methuen, his first mark was entered on 3rd August, 1743, with workshops in Heming's Row. He was a specialist maker of dinner plates and dishes, with a high standard of design and finish.
Daimeter: 9.4 inches,23.5 cm.
Weight: 228oz, the set.
RELATED ITEMS
