Antiques M.S. Rau | Paul Storr Commemorative Silver Tray

This Highly Important Sterling Silver Tray By Famed English Silversmith Paul Storr Was Gifted By The Isles Of Mauritius To Its Famed Abolitionist Leader, Sir Robert Townsend Farquhar. Exceptional In Its Quality And Beauty, The Commemorative Tray Features Highly Detailed Engraving. It Depicts A Female Figure Resting On An Anchor Bearing Farquhar’S Coat Of Arms. The Creation Is Further Elevated By The Sailing Ships And A Frieze Of Allegorical Figures Representing Trade With Mauritius, Including The Stunning Phoenix Rising From The Flames Representing Hope In The Darkness. The French Inscription Is Translated To, “The Isle Of Mauritius Expresses Gratitude To His Excellency Robert Townsend Farquhar. 1818.”

During The Napoleonic Wars, England Seized Mauritius From The French And Installed Farquhar As Its First Governor. With Farquhar As Leader, The Island Quickly Saw Economic And Social Changes, Becoming An Important Hub Of Transcontinental Cultural And Artistic Life. His Anti-Slavery Effort Was Met With Resistance From Many Powerful Parties, Yet He Pushed Through With Reforms. In 1817 He Took A Three-Year Hiatus From The Post, And The Country Was So Grateful For His Service And Hopeful That He Would Return, They Gifted To Him This Exceptional Tray By The Most Important Silversmith In Regency England, Paul Storr.

Paul Storr Is Considered The Greatest English Silversmith Of The Regency Era, And His Beautifully Ornate Silver Reflected The Rapidly Changing World In Which He Lived. After The Napoleonic Wars, The British Empire Rose To Immense Power. Increased Wealth Fueled Changes In Social Customs, Which In Turn Created A Great Demand For Elaborate Pieces For Entertaining In The Home. As A Result, Storr’S Silver Was Coveted By Many Affluent Patrons, Including Royalty. King George Iii And The Prince Of Wales Were Both Frequent Patrons. Storr’S Works Are Highly Sculptural Yet Perfectly Functional, Standing As Exceptional Examples Of Fine Decorative Art.

Hallmarked London, 1818

18 3/8″ High X 27 3/8″ Wide X 3″ Deep