A LATE 18TH CENTURY IRISH SILVER DISH RING, Dublin c. 1772, mark of Edward Boyce, of circular waisted form with repoussé, chased, and engraved animal, foliate decoration within a rural town, with a vacant cartouche (10.55 troy ozs). 20.5cm diameter, 9.5cm high An item most associated with Ireland than any other domestic silver item is the dish ring. While first invented in England it was their Irish counterparts that developed them into centrepieces of the dining table and they hold direct connotations with the traditional Irish home. In the Georgian era the two main types of designs that appear are naturalistic rococo decoration with shells, cherubs, and foliate patterns. While the neo-classical theme went in the other direction, incorporating geometric motifs that we most often associate with architectural features. The design of dish rings, cylindrical in shape, with one end large than the other, are inherently practical, allowing them to be flipped depending on the size of different dishes. Occasionally referred to as potato rings, as they would be used to fill hot cooked potatoes over plate to allow them to cool through the pierced decoration of the rings without damaging the table.