Fine Silver - 27th April 2016
Lot 279
An early 19th century Portuguese silver dish
Estimate £2,000 - £3,000
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Description
An early 19th century Portuguese silver dish,
maker's mark possibly QW, Oporto, circa 1820,
circular form, swirl fluted decoration, foliate shell and scroll decoration, the centre embossed with a foliate scroll cartouche, inscribed a presentation inscription to Offley, Webber and Forrester, diameter 42cm, approx. weight 39.5oz.
William Offley officially founded the Offley- Forrester Company, one of the pioneer Port houses, in 1737. In 1803 a Scottish trader, James Forrester, joined him in partnership and the company took the name Offley-Forrester and Webber. His nephew, Joseph James Forrester joined him in Porto in 1831 when he was 22 years old and subsequently became a national hero in Portugal. He was the first person to map the Upper Douro area. His maps are still of major importance today, as well as a very valuable topographical survey of the Douro river. For his work, the king of Portugal, Pedro V, awarded him the title of Baron Forrester in 1855. Reference The Wine Web.