Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Argyle

This is an exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver argyle; an addition to our dining silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver argyle* has a waisted baluster shaped form. The plain body of this silver argyle is embellished with a contemporary bright cut engraved coat of arms displaying an escutcheon of three swords set pilewise, supported by two dear charged with mullets, all above the motto 'Aymez Loyaulte' - Love Loyalty. This impressive coat of arms is surmounted with a crest depicting a falcon rising, belled of the last and gorged with a ducal coronet**. The upper rim of the vessel is encircled with an applied gadroon decorated border. This impressive example of Victorian silverware is fitted with the original, hallmarked domed push fit cover and retains the original turned wood and silver finial. The cover is further ornamented with a band of tooled decoration. The body of the piece is fitted with a secondary circular, hallmarked hinged cover which allows access to fill the double skin. The argyle is fitted with the original side-handle overlaid with interwoven wicker, strategically interlaced to produce a segmented braided design. This antique silver argyle has an impressive, plain swan necked spout. The underside of the piece bears the retailer's mark 'J Parkes, 12 Vico Street, W'. * A silver argyle, otherwise known as a silver argyll, is a gravy warmer; an internal chamber filled with hot water keeps the gravy warm from kitchen to table. The original argyll/argyle was crafted in honour of the fifth Duke of Argyll, John Campbell (1723-1806) and his wife Elizabeth Gunning, Baroness Hamilton of Hameldon. ** The heraldic marking pertain to the Marquesses of Winchester. Due to the date of the piece it can be determined that this piece was owned by Henry William Montague Paulet, 16th Marquess of Winchester. Maker: James Parkes Date: 1899 Origin: London, England