16th Nov, 2019 10:00 GMT/BST
Autumn Fine Art Sale (Part I)
97
A Set of Twelve George III Silver Dinner-Plates, by Paul Storr, London, 1800, each plain...
The crests are those of Bartlett, Burdett and Coutts for William Lehman Ashmead Bartlett-Burdett-Coutts (1851-1921). William was born in Massachusetts but moved to England with his family following the death of his father in 1852. He studied at Keble College, Oxford and went on to work as secretary to Baroness Burdett-Coutts, the celebrated philanthropist who acquired a fortune through her grandfather Thomas Coutts, the banker, taking the names Burdett-Coutts by Royal licence.
William was involved in many things during his life including the establishment of a large fishing fleet in the North Sea; acting as a special commissioner in Turkey and serving as Member of Parliament for Westminster from 1885-1918 and later for the constituency of Westminster Abbey from 1918 until his death in 1921. His close working relationship with the Baroness became a personal one when the two married in 1881. The marriage was childless and on her death in 1906 he was to inherit her wealth and carry on her philanthropic work.
Other silver engraved with William's crests include a pair of salts by John Bridge, London, 1824, which descended in the family until sold by S Burdett-Coutts, Esq, of Earls Place, Mark Cross, Tunbridge Wells, Christie's, London, 9 March 1942, lot 14. It is possible that the present plates were also included in that sale.
Each plate is further stamped underneath 'Wright 142 Strand'. This must relate to John Wright of the Turks (or Turk's) Hotel and Coffee House which re-opened in 1838 as announced in the London Dispatch and People's Political and Social Reformer on 17 June of that year. It was later to be re-named the Old Turks Head and finally Wright's Hotel. Sadly, the business does not seem to have been a great success as by 1847 Wright had died and the contents of the hotel were being sold at auction by Messrs Warlters, Lovejoy and Son 'under order of bankruptcy'.
. Each plate fully marked underneath. The marks are generally clear. There are some surface scratches and wear as well as some minor knife marks, consistent with age and use. It is likely that original engraving has been removed from the border. The stamped 'Wright 142 Strand' has been partly erased on the plates and is only just visible on many.
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Auction: Autumn Fine Art Sale (Part I), 16th Nov, 2019
Autumn Fine Art Sale (Part I)
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