Louisa, Viscountess Beresford's Toilet Service - A William IV Silver-Gilt Ewer and Basin. Mark of William Elliot, London, 1830 and 1834

Lot 522. The ewer tapering cylindrical and on short spreading foot, one side with a plaque chased and cast with Poseidon riding a chariot pulled by sea-horses, the other with Amphitrite astride a seahorse, each surrounded by tritons, nereids and putti blowing trumpets and conch shells, all on a textured ground, further chased with palmettes, the neck and hinged cover applied with fruiting grapevines, with a reeded ivory insulated handle, the basin circular, chased with palmettes, the centre applied with a plaque cast with Aphrodite riding a dolphin, the basin engraved four times with initials 'LB' below a viscountess' coronet, the ewer marked underneath, inside cover and on handle and finial, the basin marked on side
the basin 14¾ in. (37.3 cm.) diam. - the ewer 10¾ in. (27.3 cm.) high - gross weight 86 oz. (2,670 gr.) - Estimate: £7,000-10,000
The initials are those of Louisa Beresford (d.1851) wife firstly of Thomas Hope and secondly of William Carr Beresford, Viscount Beresford (1768-1854). (2)

Provenance : Louisa, Viscountess Beresford (d.1851) and then by descent (see above).

Note : A six piece tea and coffee service of the same pattern engraved with the arms of Thomas Hope (1769-1831), Louisa, Viscountess Beresford's first husband, was sold Christie's London, 11 June 2003, lot 32.

Christie's. Important Silver. 29 November 2007, 2:00 pm. 8 King Street, St. James's, London