Earl of Lonsdale service – A large and fine matched pair of George III sterling silver ‘Egyptomania’ salts, London 1803 by Digby Scott and Benjamin Smith I and London 1810 by Benjamin Smith II and James Smith III

The circular rounded bowls with a broad rim, all raised upon three lion gambs with applied shield escutcheons with crossed oak branch, all surmounted by a lion mask. The salts each upon detachable dished circular stands upon three anthemion bracket feet. The centre of the stand engraved with a crest of a dragon passant, encircled in the order of the garter motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ all surmounted by an Earl’s coronet. Gilt interior. Fully marked underneath and part-marked to the bowl. The 1810 example also engraved RUNDELL BRIDGE ET RUNDELL AURIFICES REGIS ET PRINCIPIS WALLIAE LONDINI FECURUNT. (2)

Height – 9.5 cm / 3.7 inches

Diameter – 11.5 cm / 4.55 inches

Weight – 1127 grams / 36.23 ozt

The crest is for Lowther as borne by the Earls of Lonsdale

For Sir William Lowther (1757- 1844), 2^nd Bt. of Little Preston, created 2^nd Viscount Lowther in 1802, then created 1^st Earl of Lonsdale in 1807 and appointed a Knight of the Garter.

Eldest son of the Rev. Sir William Lowther, 1st Bt. (1707-1788), The 1st Earl of Lonsdale had an income of £80-100,000 per annum.

Provenance:

William, 1^st Earl of Lonsdale (1757-1844), by descent to
Lancelot, 6^th Earl of Lonsdale (1867-1953), sold
Christie's, London, 19-20 February 1947 Catalogue of Fine Old English Silver, sold by order of the Right Hon. The Earl of Lonsdale, O.B.E

Four salts from the Lonsdale service of 1808, same form, sold Bonham’s Los Angeles, 26 June 2018, lot 327 ($16,250 incl. premium)

Four gilt salts from the Lonsdale service of 1803, same form, offered Sotheby’s New York, 16 April 2013, lot 407 (Estimate $70,000 – 90,000)

Other items from the Earl of Lonsdale service:

Pair of meat dishes, London 1766 by Frederick Kandler, sold Christie’s New York, 9 May 2018, lot 163 ($6,250 incl. prem)

Twelve dinner plate, London 1769 by Thomas Heming, sold David Duggleby, 7 Nov 2020, lot 1038 (£7,000 hammer)

Dinner plate, London 1804 by Digby Scott and Benjamin Smith, sold Woolley and Wallis, 28 Oct 2015, lot 627 (£2400 hammer)

Pair of chambersticks, London 1808 by Paul Storr, sold Woolley and Wallis, 25 Jan 2012, Lot 915 (£4,800 hammer)

Pair of entrée dishes, London 1810 by Paul Storr, sold Sotheby’s New York, 15 Oct 2015, lot 15, ($13,750 incl. prem)

Entrée dish base, London 1810 by Paul Storr, sold Bonham’s Los Angeles, 8 June 2016, lot 54 ($1,375 incl. prem)

Four candlesticks, London 1811/12 by Paul Storr, sold Lyon and Turnbull, 23 Nov 2008, lot 161 (£79,250 incl. prem)

Fruit bowl on stand, London 1812 by Paul Storr, sold Christie’s New York, 19 Oct 2011, lot 299 ($47,000)

Pair of candelabra London 1816 by Paul Storr, offered Sotheby’s London, 5 July 2022, lot 22

Teapot, London 1816 by Paul Storr, sold Christie’s New York, 26 Oct 1992, lot 388 ($2,860 incl. prem)

Soup tureen London 1824 by John Bridge, sold Sotheby’s New York, 18 Nov 2011, lot 298 ($62,500 incl. prem)

Pair of wine coolers, London 1824 by William Bateman II, sold Lyon and Turnbull, 7 Dec 2021, lot 64 (£23,750 incl. prem)