A George III sterling silver ewer, London circa 1765 by I.B above W.B (unidentified, Grimwade 3626)

Of swirling baluster form raised upon a pedestal circular foot, the everted lip leading to a wicker bound C scroll handle with acanthus junction and a hinged domed lid of conforming shape surmounted by a leaf-capped pyriform finial. The body with embossed decoration of fruiting swags and beaded lines, the underside of pouring lip with stylised acanthus leaf. A later presentation inscription engraved to the interior reading “To my godson Dudley Churchill Marjoribanks on his baptism from his grandfather and godfather Marlborough 1874”. Fully marked underneath, date letter obscured, the lid unmarked.

Height – 32.5 cm / 12.75 inches

Weight – 1179 grams / 37.91 ozt

Lieutenant-Colonel Dudley Churchill Marjoribanks, 3rd Baron Tweedmouth, CMG, MVO, DSO (2 March 1874 – 23 April 1935)

son of Edward Marjoribanks, 2nd Baron Tweedmouth (1849-1909) and Lady Fanny Spencer-Churchill (1853-1904), daughter of the John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough (1822-1883). Dudley became Lord-in-waiting to King Edward VII and King George V and married Lady Muriel Brodrick (1881-1966), eldest daughter of St John Brodrick, 1st Earl of Midleton (1856-1942) and Lady Hilda Charteris (d.1901). He had two daughters where upon his death the title Baron Tweedmouth became extinct.

This mark, which would have been in the lost 1758-1773 Largeworkers Register, was not able to be attributed to a name by Arthur Grimwade but it is noted on large items between the dates 1764-66 such as coffee pots, tea caddies and sauce boats, all of which are of good quality.