A George III Irish silver Argyle

A George III Irish silver Argyle,

by Henry Chadwick, Dublin circa 1765,

tapering waisted circular form, scroll handle with feather-edge and bead decoration, the hinged cover with a flame finial, angular elongated spout, the water compartment with a hinged cover, engraved with a crest, the underside later inscribed 'Presented by Mrs Winston Churchill to the Red Cross in 1942', height 11.5cm, approx. weight 12.2oz.

Provenance:

A Private Collection.

Alastair Dickenson Ltd.

Bonhams, London, Fine Silver and Gold Boxes, 13 November 2013, lot 139.

Sir John Edwards, 2nd Baronet Treforis (1916-1999).

The coronet and crest of McDonell, Earls of Antrim in the peerage of Ireland 1620-1791.

Bonhams's footnote on this lot states 'Subject of a letter from How, 31st March 1943: "You can have the Argyll for £65 if you like, and I am having it put to one side for you. It is certainly a piece which appeals to me very much, and if I were going to be the permanent owner I would document it historically by engraving on the bottom:- 'Presented by Mrs. Winston Churchill to the Red Cross in 1943.' This, I think, would add very considerably to its historical importance".'