A Fine Pair of Edward & John Barnard Victorian Silver Figural Dessert Stands, London, England, circa 1851
Marks to both: (lion passant), (leopard), duty mark), Q, EB & JB; EEBJW
10-5/8 inches high x 9-7/8 inches diameter (27.0 x 25.1 cm)
143.55 troy ounces

The pair having woven wire baskets held aloft by trompe l'oeil branch and grapevine standards, cascading leaf and grape bunches ornamenting branches, lower decks exhibiting two putti engaging ram and panther figures on triangulated pebbled grounds, Rococo-style scrollwork to lower borders encasing blank cartouches to each side, raised on three scrolled feet to each.

Note: One compote bears an older maker's mark for the Barnard firm which may indicate production during the partnership of Edward, Edward Junior, John and William Barnard. An identical pair were presented as a gift to Prince Frederic William (Victor Ernest Charles Christian Augustus), by his great aunt Queen Victoria in 1857 and sold in Sotheby's From Earth to Fire sale, lot 198, May 10, 2016.

Scattered pitting, some polish residue to some leaves, one branch with loss near basket, split where ram horn and putto's hand meet, otherwise presenting very well with surface scratches commensurate with age, polishing, and use.