A George III Silver Serving Dish, Cover and Warming Pan from the Camden Dinner Service, Paul Storr, London, 1794

The arms are those of Pratt with Molesworth in pretence for John Jeffreys Pratt, 2nd Earl Camden (1759-1840), who succeeded to the title upon the death of his father in 1794. He was married in 1785 to Frances (1766?-1829), daughter and heir of William Molesworth of Wenbury, Devonshire. Lord Camden was MP for Bath from 1780 to 1794, a Lord of the Treasury from 1795 to 1798, Secretary of State for War and the Colonies in 1804/05 and Lord President of the Council from 1807 to 1812. He became a Knight of the Garter in 1799 and in 1812 was created Marquess Camden.

This serving dish is from Earl Camden’s silver dinner service, Paul Storr and others, London, 1793-1795, part of which, including tureens, wine coolers and dishes, was sold by the 5th Marquess Camden at Sotheby’s, London, 23 January 1964.

A Derby porcelain dinner service, decorated with borders and reserves of pink roses, gilding and a distinctive pale green ground, was ordered by Lady Camden on 11 April 1795. For an ice pail, cover and liner from this service, see Bonhams, London, 1 May 2013, lot 125.