A magnificent George III Soup Tureen with Stand. Made in London in 1820 by Benjamin Smith III.
A magnificent George III Soup Tureen with Stand. Made in London in 1820 by Benjamin Smith III.
375485
This important Soup Tureen is of rounded rectangular form with four detailed paw feet, attached to the main body with raying shell mouldings, flanked by acanthus leaves. The sides rise to an everted egg and dart rim and the reeded handles are bound in the centre with leaf capping. The stepped, domed, cover is decorated with a lobed band and terminates in a leaf capped scroll handle, with acanthus leaf platform below. The Tureen is bolted to a magnificent stand with egg and dart border and raised carrying handles decorated with ridged palm leaves, flanked by bold acanthus leaves. Both the stand and main body are very finely engraved with a shield shaped Armorial, surrounded by a pluming scroll cartouche. The cover is engraved with a Crest. The stand and main body are fully marked and the cover with the maker's mark, sterling mark and date letter. The Tureen is in excellent condition and is of an exceptional weight. The quality of design and production is of the finest standard, as would be expected from this silversmith. Benjamin Smith III was apprenticed to his father, Benjamin II, and had workshops at 12, Duke Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, when this piece was made. This important family of silversmiths enjoyed Royal patronage and their most important production, for King George III, was probably the Jamaica Service of 1803 still in the Royal Collection.
Length of stand: 18 inches, 45 cm.
Width of stand: 12 inches, 30 cm.
Height: 11 inches, 27.5 cm.
Weight: 189oz.
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