A very fine pair of George III Silver Based Wine Coasters made in London in 1798 by William Abdy.
A very fine pair of George III Silver Based Wine Coasters made in London in 1798 by William Abdy.
163767
The Wine Coasters have a gadrooned base and everted rim also decorated with gadrooning. The sides are pierced with unusual trellis work designs flanked, on either side, by a band of bright cutting, including stylised flower heads. The bases are made of silver and are engraved with a contemporary Armorial, with Motto below, all surrounded by a cartouche of drapery mantling. The Coasters are in excellent condition and are well marked on the bases. Silver based coasters are rare and were made for the top end of the market, substituting wooden bases for silver ones. William Abdy was a fine maker who specialised in fine pierced work, including wine coasters.
The Armorial and Motto are those of the Malet family, a Norman family which came over with William the Conqueror and settled in the 12th century at Curry Malet and Shepton Malet, County Somerset. A baronetcy had been created in 1663 for services rendered during the Civil War, but by some accident was omitted from going under the Great Seal, and therefore lapsed. The family were raised to the Peerage again in 1791 and the owner of the Coasters was specifically Sir Charles Warre Malet, 1st Baronet, FRS and FSA of Tisbury House, County Wiltshire. He was born in 1752 and in 1799 married Susanna, daughter and co-heir of James Wales of Bombay. Sir Charles died in 1815, leaving an heir and a number of other issue.
Height: 1.9 inches,4.75cm.
Diameter: 5.45 inches, 13.63cm.
1798
London
RELATED ITEMS
