Pair of Late George III Sterling Silver Entree Dishes, hallmarked London 1809-1810, by Guest, Son & Craddock, each of rounded rectangular form with gadrooned rim, the fitted domed lid banded en suite, the addorsed reed-and-acanthus handle detaching to permit the lid to be inverted for used as a liner or second dish, engraved on the long sides of the lid with the arms, and on the body with the crest of Leigh of West Hall with Jodrell in pretence, h. 4-3/4", l. 11-3/4", w. 8-3/4", 128.66 total t. oz. The extravagant armorial here (with nine quarterings, an escutcheon of pretence, and three further escutcheons on the crest) permit the original owner of this fine pair of dishes to be identified as Egerton Leigh (1752-1833), who descended from an old High Leigh, Cheshire family dating to the early 14th century. He was the son of the Reverend Peter Leigh, rector of Lymme and Middle, Shropshire, and his wife Mary Doughty and he married, on September 21, 1778, Elizabeth Joddrell (ca. 1854-1807), daughter and co-heiress of Francis Jodrell of Yeardsly and Twemlow. For more information about Leigh and these arms, see Burke's Landed Gentry, 5th ed. (London: Harrison, 1871), v. II, p. 774.

Overall Condition: Very Good. Light to moderate cutlery scratches on the interior bottom, but otherwise fine, with minimal wear consistent with use. No dents, breaks or repairs noted. Excellent armorials. Very hefty. Handles, lids and dishes matched with numbers (3/3/3 and 4/4/4). Hallmarked (one the side of each dish and lid): 1) the London crowned leopard's head, 2) the sterling lion passant, 3) the date letter "N" for 1809-1810, 4) the "TG/IG/IC" for Thomass Guest, Joseph Guest and Joseph Craddock, and 5) the George III bust duty mark. Marks good; lightly rubbed - particularly the maker's mark - but fully legible on each piece. The handles unmarked. In all, a very fine pair.