Baron Cahir – A fine graduated set of three George III sterling silver meat dishes, London 1811 by Paul Storr (1771-1844, first reg. 12th Jan 1793)

Each of oval form with a broad edge and gadrooned double shell and acanthus rim, each edge engraved with a quartered coat of arms between supporters above the motto God Be My Guide all surmounted by a Baron’s coronet. Each stamped with numerals to the reverse 744 (largest), 745 (middle), 748 (smaller). Each fully marked to the reverse. (3)

Largest length – 56.7 cm / 22.4 inches

Middle length – 49.5 cm / 19.5 inches

Smaller length – 43.5 cm / 17.2 inches

Weight – 8454 grams / 271.8 ozt

The arms are for Butler as borne by the Barons Cahir, from 1816 the Earls of Glengall

For Richard Butler (1775-1819) 10th Baron of Cahir who was created in 1816 Viscount Cahir and Earl of Glengall.

The son of the James Butler (1788) 9^th Baron Cahir.

In 1793 he married Emily, fourth and youngest daughter of James St. John Jeffereys of Blarney Castle, Co. Cork, by Isabel, sister of John, 1st Earl of Clare, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Although proprietors of Cahir Castle on the river Suir, one of the largest castles in Ireland, they preferred to reside in Cahir House, Tipperary, a georgian mansion now a hotel. A visitor in 1793 reported:
Lord Cahir gave a most flaming fete champetre in Cahir House where the company dined under marquees on the lawn and danced all evening. Lady Cahir danced an Irish jig in her stockings to the music of an old blind piper. We had a superb supper in the three largest rooms, all crowded as full as they could and we did not get home till eight o'clock in the morning and so slept all the next day.

The year after these dishes the Baron commissioned John Nash to build a Gothic Cottage in the 560-acre park, "a picturesque retreat... greatly admired for the extreme beauty of its situation;" Nash also rebuilt the local church in 1817.

A pair of wine coolers bearing these arms of 1812 by Paul Storr was sold Sotheby’s New York, 26 April 2008, lot 266 ($265,000 incl. prem)

For a trio of three meat dishes of these sizes and rim of 1811/16 by Paul Storr, sold Christie’s New York, 27 Jan 2022, lot 146 ($20,000 incl. prem)

For a trio of meat dishes of these sizes and rim of 1804-11 by Paul Storr sold Christie’s New York, 23 Oct 2018, lot 13 ($22,500 incl. prem)

A meat dish of the largest size in this lot, also of 1811 by Paul Storr was sold Christie’s New York, 19 Oct 2021, lot 83 ($8,750 incl. prem)