Georgian Dish Cross, 1778

This is one of the best examples that we have encountered of a rare piece of late 18th century dining silver. Dish crosses were used on the dining table to keep food warm prior to being served: the central burner has a reservoir for holding spirit (paraffin) with a wick protruding from the central hole. This dish cross takes the usual form of two crossed square sections arms, centrally pivotted, with adjustable openwork and bright-cut engraved legs and dish supports and a central spirit lamp. The whole piece can be folded for easy storage. The combined legs/dish holders telescope in and out to accommodate different sized plates. 

Made by the premier silversmith William Plummer, this is an excellent Georgian dish cross that is superior in quality to the majority that still exist - it has a good heavy weight and so feels stable in position, plus the legs/holders are superbly made and give a most pleasing effect.There is an engraved crest of a griffin's head to the burner reservoir. It is in excellent condition throughout with a full set of hallmarks to the underside of the central burner and appropriate part hallmarks inside the cover, to the arms and all four legs. It is in perfect working order and would make an interesting addition to a modern dining table.