Antique Paul Storr Large William IV Silver Tray Salver 1820 19th Century

This is a wonderful English antique William IV sterling silver tray, or salver, by the world famous silversmith Paul Storr.

It has clear hallmarks for London 1820 the makers mark of Paul Storr.

It is typical of his work with the octafoil shape and the exquisitely detailed reeded  rim, and it is raised on four delightful foliate and shell scroll feet.

The centre is engraved with a shield shaped coat of arms which I have had researched.
 

The Marital Arms of Knollis and Hallifax

The armorial bearings as engraved upon this George IV Large English Sterling Silver Footed Salver by Paul Storr hallmarked London 1820 are those of the family of Knollis with Hallifax in pretence. These armorial bearings denote the marshalling of a marital coat showing the arms of the husband over the entire surface of the shield, whilst the arms of the wife (as an heraldic heiress) are placed on a small shield (known as an escutcheon of pretence) centrally on the husband’s arms.

They may be blazoned as follows: 

Arms:

Quarterly 1st and 4th Azure crusily of cross crosslets a cross moline voided or (for Knollys) 2nd and 3rd Gules on a chevron argent three roses of the field barbed proper (for Knollys) over all an escutcheon of pretence Or on a pile engrailed sable between two fountains barry wavy of six argent and azure three cross crosslets of the first (for Hallifax)

Crest:

An elephant argent [differenced with a mullet1 ] (for Knollys)

Motto:

In utrumque paratus [Prepared for either] (for Knollys)

These armorial bearings undoubtedly commemorate the marriage of The Honourable and Reverend Francis Knollis2 (baptised 3rd January 1743 died 27th February 1826),

1 The cadency mark for a third son of a family. 2 Francis appears to have preferred this spelling of his family’s surname. It is spelt as it is to be pronounced.

of Burford in the County of Oxfordshire and of Eastleach Martin in the County of Gloucestershire and Mary Hallifax (baptised 5th March 1753 buried 18th December 1830). Francis and Mary were married at the Parish Church of St Mary, Ewell in the County of Surrey on the 9th June 1772. Francis was the third son of Charles Knollys (the titular 5th Earl of Banbury) 3 and his wife, Martha Hughes, whilst Mary was the daughter of The Reverend James Hallifax, of Ewell aforesaid and his wife, Elizabeth Chardavoyn.

3 Francis’s father claimed to be the 5th Earl of Banbury. A claim that continued to be pursued by the family until William Knollys, the titular 8th Earl of Banbury (born 1763 died 1834) was forced to discontinue its use by a resolution of the House of Lords which rejected his claim to the earldom in 1813.





The crest surmounts a detailed dedication:

This piece of plate was presented to the Honourable Rev Knolls by the inhabitants of the town and immediate neighbourhood of Burford on his completing the fiftieth year of his incumbency as the vicar of Burford.

In testimony of their high respect  11th April 1821

There is no mistaking its unique quality and design, which is sure to make it a treasured piece by any discerning collector.

Condition:

In excellent condition with clear hallmarks and no dings, dents or signs of repair. Please see photos for confirmation.