Bidspirit auction | James Fray Irish Sterling Silver

James Fray Irish Sterling Silver Covered Entrée Dish With Porcupine's-Head Finial - George IV Irish silver covered Entrée dish, mark of James Fray, Dublin, 1829, 2512.0g. Decorated with rocaille and foliate borders. The cover is fitted with a cast porcupine-head finial, one side engraved with the armorial of the Swetenham family of Somerford Booths, Cheshire, with the motto ”Ex sudore vultus, ” the other side bears an unidentified armorial with the motto ”Do it with thy might.” Provenance: Purchased in England during World War II by an American lieutenant colonel while stationed there; thence by descent. Includes letters from 1944 that detail his purchase of the pieces. One reads: ”I bought two entree dishes and a covered meat dish from Hedges today, all solid silver. Don't faint. I consider it a good investment... The entree dishes cost 130 pounds for the pair ($520.00)... I just couldn't let the dishes go. Just remember it's silver and not to be cooked in or all you'll have is a lump of metal...” One of a pair with the covered entr?e dish offered in the following lot. Approximately 12.5L x 9.12W x 6.0H in. ALL CREDIT CARDS WILL BE MANUALLY VERIFIED PRIOR TO SHIPMENT.