THE PRESTWOLD HALL SERVING DISH. A VERY RARE & UNUSUAL GEORGE III CUSHION SHAPED "DIVIDED" SERVING DISH & COVER MADE IN LONDON IN 1817 BY RICHARD SIBLEY I.

The Dish is of a large size and has a deep base with wavy rim decorated with gadrooning. Most unusually this piece has a tubular side handle, with turned fruitwood top, which can be unscrewed. The very unusual cushion shaped cover has pleated corners and terminates in a fruiting bud finial standing on a raying acanthus leaf platform. The interior also displays a very unusual removable silver divider, so that four different kinds of foods can be served at the same time. This is the first time we have seen this rare feature and the divider also displays a foliate finial. The cover is finely engraved with a contemporary Armorial with a double Crest above and the motto "Libertas Sub Rege Pio" below. The base and divider, are also engraved with the double Crest. This is an extremely rare and desirable piece in quite excellent condition and is fully marked on the base, cover and divider and with the sterling mark and duty mark on the finial.

The Arms, Crest and Motto are those of the Packe Family, of Prestwold Hall, County Leicestershire. The Packe family descended from Sir Christopher Packe ( 1595-1682 ), Lord Major of London 1654-5. He was knighted and raised to the Upper House by Cromwell. Both of these titles were struck out after the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, as were all Cromwellian titles, and he was disqualified from holding any public office. He retired to Prestwold, where he lived until the age of 87. The Arms are specifically those of Charles James Packe, who inherited the Prestwold estates, on the death of his father in 1816. This piece was probably commissioned when he made alterations to the Hall after his accession. The Armorial impales the Arms of the Chapman family of Somerset, Cambridge and Gloucester. An image of Prestwold Hall and Sir Christopher Packe are shown.

Richard Sibley was a quite exceptional silversmith working in the circle of Paul Storr, which would account for the unusual, innovative, design of this piece and its exceptional quality. Sibley was apprentice to the very fine Royal silversmiths, Daniel Smith & Robert Sharp. A.G. Grimwade states in "London Goldsmith's 1697-1837", that his work either alone, or in partnership, is of a high standard of design and execution.

Height: 7.7 inches, 19.25cm
Base Diameter: 13.75 inches, 34.38cm.
Total Weight: 90oz.