A George III provincial sterling silver salver, Newcastle 1799 by John Roberston

Of circular form with a cavetto edge and reeded rim upon three reeded splay feet. The centre with a contemporaneous coat of arms with an escutcheon of a baronet, surmounted by a crest of issuing from a mural coronet a demi wyvern, all above crossed palm branches and below ribbon tied laurel swags. Fully marked to the reverse.

Diameter – 21.7 cm / 8.15 inches

Weight – 313 grams / 10.06 ozt

The crest and arms are for Williamson, Baronets of East Markham, Nottingham [est. 5^th June 1642]

Probably for Sir Hedworth Williamson, 6th Baronet (1751-1810), son of Sir Hedworth Williamson, 5th Baronet (d.1788) and Elizabeth Hudleston (d. 1793). Although he had married Maria Hamilton (d. 1848) daughter of Sir James Hamilton of Cornacassa, Sheriff of co. Monaghan (d 20.04.1786), on 23^rd October 1794, it is unclear why these arms are not impaled but may have been to match earlier silver engraved before his marriage but after obtaining the baronetcy.