Four Georgian silver second course dishes, one Smith & Sharp, one John Robins, two Philip Rundell for Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, London, respectively 1781, 1809 and 1823

circular, engraved with a coat of arms and motto in drapery cartouche below applied gadroon borders, the 1781 and 1809 dishes numbered and engraved with scratch weights respectively 3 '23"14' and 1 '25 ^oz 1 ^dwt'

very crisp engraving, good weight, clear hallmarks. some scratches with use but overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The arms are those of Beckford quartering Hamilton and Arran for William Beckford (1759-1844) of Fonthill, bibliophile, art collector and writer. He married in 1783 Lady Margaret Gordon (d. 1786), daughter of Charles Gordon, 4th Earl of Aboyne, by whom he had two daughters, the younger of whom, Susan Euphemia (1786-1859), wife of Alexander Hamilton, 10th Duke of Hamilton, was his sole heir and through whom these pieces descended. 

Beckford was the son of Alderman William Beckford (1709-1770), who was twice Lord Mayor of London, and his wife Maria, daughter of the Hon. George Hamilton. He was born in the family's London home at 22 Soho Square and at his father's death inherited a fortune of £1,000,000, with an income of £100,000 per annum, which allowed him to indulge his love of travel, books, art and architecture. His mother sent him to Geneva with a private tutor, where he remained until the end of his formal education, after which he visited the Low Countries and Italy. Beckford also made journeys to Portugal and Spain, returning through France, where he spent much time in Paris, witnessing the fall of the Bastille in 1789. 

Beckford is remembered for his eccentric extravagances as a builder and compulsive and restless collector. He acquired part of his collection of silver, mounted porcelain and objects of vertu through the royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, including various items of antique plate which the firm had acquired in 1808 from George III. 

By far the greatest drain on Beckford's fortune was his ambitious building plans, particularly at Fonthill Abbey, which he was forced to dispose of in 1822. It was sold with a large proportion of the contents for £330,000 to John Farquhar who at once auctioned the art and furnishings in a sale lasting 37 days. Beckford, however, bought back some of the finest pieces to join what he had retained of his collection which eventually descended to the 12th Duke of Hamilton (1845-1895) by whom it was dispersed in the celebrated Hamilton Palace sale of 1882.