Description

A rare antique silver rose water dish of substantial size dating from Charles II period. The high relief embossed decoration of flowers and foliage is typical of the time. Excellent quality. The centre is engraved with a large hand engraved armorial and crest.

Weight 1258 g, 40.4 troy oz.
Diameter 44.5cm.
London circa 1670.
Maker William Harrison.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Maker’s mark only. Stamped on the top edge and on the foot “WH” attributed to William Harrison – see David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”.

Arms. Motto “Tout pour L’Eglise” (Everything for the Church).

The arms are for John Wandesford (b.1725, died 1784) 5th Viscount Castlecomer later 1st Earl Wandesford. Wandesford, son of George Wandesford, 4th Viscount Castlecomer and Susannah Griffith, daughter of Reverend John Griffith and Susannah Cross. He succeeded to his father’s viscountcy on 25 June 1751, and took his seat in the Irish House of Lords on 22 November that same year. On 1 August 1758 he was created Earl Wandesford in the Peerage of Ireland. He married Agnes Elizabeth Southwell, daughter of John Southwell of Enniscourt, County Limerick and Sarah Rose, daughter of Henry Rose, justice of the Court of King’s Bench (Ireland), on 11 August 1750. Together they had a son and a daughter. His son predeceased him and Wandesford’s titles became extinct upon his death. His daughter Frances married John Butler, 17th Earl of Ormonde.

Literature. It is very rare to find a charger of this type and age. The dish was probably used as a rose water dish. William Harrison manufactured both rose water dishes and basins.

The silver dish is in very good condition, especially in view of its extreme age. Shows moderate signs of wear commensurate with age, there are possibly a few minor old rim repairs.

Maker: William Harrison

William Harrison (free 1646, died 1701), London silversmith, apprenticed to plateworker Abraham Smith 1638, free 1646. Of his work during his early years remain many small pieces such as sweetmeat dishes and wine tasters however his work blossomed during the 1660’s when he worked for the two leading London goldsmith bankers Edward Backwell and Sir Robert Viner. In 1670 Harrison was one among the silversmiths subcontracted by Backwell to make a set of dining plate for the Royal Prince. During his long career Harrison was active within the Goldsmiths Company. He bound ten apprentices, of whom eight became free by service, including the important silversmiths Joseph Ashe, William Denny and John Bache. It is suggested that Harrison probably retired to the country shortly after 1680.

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