This magnificent antique George II English sterling silver soup tureen has an oval rounded form.
The plain surface of the body is embellished with a contemporary bright cut engraved coat of arms* surmounted with a crest depicting a bear passant muzzled and chained reflexed over the back.
The upper flared rim of the tureen is encompassed with a fine and impressive applied gadroon decorated border.
This silver soup tureen retains the original impressive hallmarked push fit domed cover ornamented with a further band of chased gadroon decoration above further bright cut engraved heraldic markings, identical to that to the body.
The impressive cover is surmounted by the magnificent and original hallmarked cast finial realistically modelled in the form of a pomegranate with scrolling foliage.
This Georgian tureen is fitted with two cast sterling silver handles embellished with scrolling leaf and leaf textures to the handpiece, in addition to large motifs to the sockets.
This 18th century silver tureen is supported by four fine and impressive cast and applied volute scrolling feet, each accented with scrolling leaf designs in junction with the plain body.
This magnificent tureen is one of the finest examples of its type you could hope to acquire.
* This coat of arms pertains to the family of Lee, quartering Browene. This piece was in the possession of one of the sons of Colonel John Lee, the third son of Sit Thomas Lee (3rd Baronet of Hartwell) and his second wife, Mary Browne. Due to the markings it can be determined the son in question was their eldest, Thomas Lee who served as an Equerry to HRH Prince William Henry, the Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. Read this items heraldic identification report.
Maker: Lewis Herne & Francis Butty
Date: 1758
