The Melton Constable Suite. A very rare & important suite of George III Serving Dishes all made in London two made in 1778 by Thomas Heming & two made in 1790 by Fogelberg & Gilbert.

The Dishes are all made in an unusual shaped oval form, with a raised border decorated with applied bold beading.  There are four dishes in total, two made in 1778 by the Royal silversmith Thomas Heming and two made in London in 1790 by Fogelberg & Gilbert, obviously when the set was extended.  The border of each dish is engraved with a contemporary Crest, issuing from a coronet.  Each is in excellent condition, has a crisp set of marks and each is engraved on the reverse with its original scratch weight.  With their graduated sizes, they would be very useful for serving on the dining table.  They are of a very good gauge and weight.

The Crest is that as used by Sir Edward Astley 1729-1802, 4th Baronet of Melton Constable Hall, Norfolk.  He was admitted to Pembroke College, Cambridge, and he succeeded his father as 4th Baronet.  He was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk and stood as MP for Norfolk, a seat which he held until he retired.  Sir Edward married the famous aristocratic beauty, and painter, Rhoda Delaval.  She was the daughter of Captain Francis Blake Delaval and studied painting under Arthur Pond.  Paintings of the 4th Baronet and Lady Delaval Astley, at her easel, are shown. They were known for their fabulous wealth and their seat was Melton Constable Hall in Norfolk, considered to be the finest Restoration House in England in the Christopher Wren style.  Through their marriage, Seaton Delaval in Northumberland became their second seat.  When in London, they resided at 11, Downing Street, today, the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.  Images of Melton Constable and Seaton Delaval are also shown.

Work by Andrew Fogelberg and Stephen Gilbert is always of fine finish and fine quality.  Fogelberg was, of course, Master to Paul Storr, the finest British Silversmith of all time.  The partnership occupied workshops at 29, Church Street, Soho when these dishes were made.  Thomas Heming was principal Goldsmith to the King in 1760, an appointment which he held until 1782.  Some of his earliest surviving pieces in the Royal Collection show a French delicacy of taste and refinement of execution, which was unquestionably inherited from his Master, Peter Archambo.  His masterpiece is most probably the Speaker's Wine Cistern, 1770, at Belton House, Lincolnshire.

LARGE SERVING DISH::

Length: 19.5 inches, 48.75 cm.

Width: 14 inches, 35 cm.

Weight: 51oz.

MIDDLE SERVING DISH:

Length: 16.25 inches, 40.63 cm.

Width: 11.5 inches, 38.75 cm.

Weight: 38oz.

PAIR OF SMALLER DISHES

Length: 12 inches, 30cm.

Width: 8.5 inches, 21.25cm.

Weight: 35oz the pair.