PAUL STORR. An exceptionally fine George IV Souffle Dish made in London in 1829 by Paul Storr.

The Soufflé Dish is circular in form with a raised everted rim decorated with shells, foliate scrolls and flower heads.  This example has two raying shell handles.   The front of the main body is engraved with a contemporary Armorial, with Crest above and Motto below, all surrounded by a foliate scroll and shell cartouche.  The interior silver liner also has an everted reeded rim, shell handles, and is engraved with the same contemporary Crest, as seen above the Armorial.  These dishes are very rare from the workshops of Paul Storr.  The soufflé would have been cooked in the silver liner and then placed in the outer dish to be served at the table.  As well as being used for cooking soufflés, this piece could also be used for serving a variety of other foods as you have, in essence, two serving dishes.  This is the first time we have seen this design of soufflé dish and the quality of design and production is exceptional, as would be expected from Paul Storr, acknowledged as the greatest British Silversmith.  This piece is in excellent condition and is well marked on both pieces, as well as being engraved with the Retailers mark of “STORR & MORTIMER” and the pattern number “4”.  

The arms are those of Lyon quartering Ochterlony, Read and another, for David Lyon M.P., son of David Lyon (d.1827) of Portland Place, London and his wife Isabella, eldest daughter of John Read of Cairney, Forfarshire.  The West India Docks were built on the Isle of Dogs following the West India Docks Act of 1799. The Prime Minister William Pitt laid the foundation stone in 1800 and they opened in 1802. David Lyon (1754-1827), merchant, was son of John Lyon of Castle Lyon, Perthshire (born circa 1720).  He was son of another John who was descended from Hon. Sir Thomas Lyon of Auldbar (d. 1608) who was the second son of the 7th Lord Glamis.  The 7th Lord Glamis  (1510-1558) was the direct ancestor of the Strathmore’s (through the eldest son).

PROVENANCE

David Lyon, by descent to

His daughter and by descent to

Miss Joy Betty Lyon (1902-1956) Keltie Castle, Dunning, Perthshire and Goring Hall, West Sussex; and by descent to

Elizabeth Carnegy-Arbuthnott (d. 1986) Hampton Court Lodge, and by descent to

Laura Nepean-Gubbins (d. 1995), London, and by descent to the present owner. 

Height: 3.5 inches, 8.75 cm.

Length, handle to handle: 10.4 inches, 26 cm.

Weight: 39oz.