A William IV sterling silver centrepiece fruit bowl, London 1836 by Paul Storr (1770-1844)

Of lobed circular form, raised on a single foot, the panels to the main body with engraved decoration of Rocco cartouches of stylised scrolls and shells against a matted ground with a latticework border above, two sides with an applied coat of arms of Or, two chevonels Sable beneath a peer’s helmet. The rim of matted C scrolls interspaced with rocaille shell work and two scallop shell handles. The foot with similarly engraved decoration. Fully marked to the underside of rim and stamped ‘Storr & Mortimer’ along with numeral 12 underneath foot.

Length – 37.5 cm / 14.75 inches

Weight – 1348 grams / 43.34 ozt

The arms are those of MacLellan, Baron Kirkcudbright of Galloway, Scotland

Probably for Lady Sarah MacLellan (1781-1863) widow of Camden-Grey MacLellan (1774-1832) 9th/10th Baron Kirkcudbright (est.1633) an officer in the Coldstream Guards between 1792-1803, who died in Bruges, Belgium. Dowager Lady Kirkcudbright was the daughter of Colonel Thomas Gorges, married circa 1806, they had one daughter the Hon Camden-Elizabeth (1806-1874), an author of The Bar-Sinister (1836) and Ella (1838) who married on the 25th September 1832 James-Staunton Lambert (1789-1867) esq. of Creg Clare. MP for Galway between 1826-1833. The title is recorded as dormant from 1832 upon the death of Camden-Grey MacLellan, his widow likely using a heraldic private die previously produced for the family on this posthumous commission.

The large shell handles on the present lot are indicative of Storr’s production in the remaining years before his retirement in 1838, for a pair of entrée dishes of 1838 with shell handles engraved for the Shakerley family sold these rooms, 23rd October 2018 Lot 378. For a most similar rim, see a silver-gilt butter dish and stand of 1836 sold Sotheby’s New York, 4th November 2011 lot 243. A Chinese export porcelain saucer with the arms of MacLellan, Barons Kirkcudbright was sold as part of a group of similar wares Christie's South Kensington, 12th March 2014, Lot 611.

Provenance Victor Alexander John Hope, 2nd Marquess of Linlithgow (1887-1952) Viceroy of India 1936-1943, gift to his physician Lt-Col. Henry Hawes Elliot M.B.E (1891-1972), uncle to the late Sir Gerald Elliot. Thence by descent.