Decorated with reeded borders to base and cover. The removable cast silver handle decorated with matching decoration.
The lid is crested to one side above the motto "Soyez Ferme", which means "Be Firm". The other side with an armorial coat of arms.
Clearly hallmarked for London 1795 by Henry Green to the base and lid. Note, the lid is missing the town mark.
The Handle is a well matched later addition bearing marks for London 1823
The dish is in wonderful condition.
Very good gauge silver with only the usual very minor marks from usage. Hallmarks are all clear with little wear. The removable handle is well mounted and is in superb order.
Lovely colour and patina.
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The armorial is for 1st Baron Frecheville of Staveley, created 1664, died 1682. The baronetcy died with him (only daughters). His father was only a knight, created 1603. Couldn't place the crest.
The shield is also used by the Freshfield family, mostly from Norwich, but they have a different motto. James William, born 1774, was a lawyer who founded the now international firm of lawyers, Freshfields, who apparently adopted the shield used by a Norfolk uncle. That's the only reference I could find from around the dish date. The Freshfield's motto which translates as 'it's not your lineage, but your virtue, that makes you noble' is, perhaps, a clue that they were 'new money'.
The mantling on the dish's armorial suggests a peer, but I think it was not uncommon at that time to 'big up' one's armorial and get away with it. They had good taste though!
Length: 30cm
Width: 22cm
Height to top of handle: 12cm
Weight: 1240g or 39.87ozT (43.7oz)
