Lot 483: A WILLIAM IV SILVER MEAT-DISH

A WILLIAM IV SILVER MEAT-DISH
MARK OF WILLIAM BATEMAN, LONDON, 1836, RETAILED BY RUNDELL, BRIDGE AND RUNDELL
Oval with foliage and rocaille cast gadrooned border, each end with a shell handle, engraved on each border with two monograms, one within the Garter motto, the other within a ribbon tied oak and laurel leaf cartouche all below the Royal crown, marked on the back, the back further stamped 'RUNDELL BRIDGE ET CυO AURIFICES REGIS LONDINI'
23½ in. (60 cm.) wide
110 oz. (3,431 gr.)
The monograms are those of King William IV (1765-1837) and Queen Adelaide (1792-1849).

Commissioned from Rundell Bridge and Rundell by King William IV and his wife Queen Adelaide.
Given to Albert, 1st Baron Londesborough (1805-1860) and by descent to
William, 2nd Baron and later 1st Earl Londesborough (1834-1900).
A Nobleman [Earl of Londesborough]; Christie's, London, 18 May 1898, lot 61 part, (£24 17s to Heigham).

This meat-dish forms part of an extensive service supplied by Rundell's to the Royal family, circa 1835. A large portion of the service, weighing 10,000 ounces in all, was sold at Christie's by William, 1st Earl of Londesborough in 1898. The service, consisting of 168 dinner plates, 30 soup plates, a circular bread basket, four wine coolers, two pairs of soup tureens, six sauce tureens, and various meat and serving dishes, was variously engraved with both cyphers of William IV and the Queen, and just the Queen's cypher.

Pieces from the service have reappeared at auction including a set of four cushion-shaped entree dishes, (Christie's, New York, May 25, 1977, lot 191; a pair of circular sauce tureens (Christie's, London, January 29, 1947, lot 143); a pair of cushion shaped entree dishes and cover (Christie's, New York, 20 April 2001, lot 250 and most recently a soup-tureen, cover and stand which had entered the collection of H.R.H The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (Christie's, London, 26 January 2006, lot 65).