Pair of John Wray Hull City Silver Salvers, 1738

This is an extremely rare pair of silver waiter trays or small salvers engraved with the city arms of Hull and once belonging to the Corporation before being sold by public auction in 1835.

Dating from the early George II period, these salvers are the standard design for the period with piecrust borders and three hoof feet. This type of tray was used by waiters to hold wine glasses at gatherings.

The two salvers were made in London by the specialist salver-maker John Tuite and the hallmarks include his distinctive script "IT" maker's mark with pitcher or ewer between.

The reverse of the salvers bear an interesting engraved inscription:

"Two waiters purchased by John Wray at

the sale of the plate of the Corporation of Hull

in memory of the many members of his

family who during a period of more than a

century had at different times served the office

of Mayor, Recorder and Sheriff."

and more simply to the other: "Corporation Waiter".

The sale of the plate of the Corporation of Hull occurred after the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835, which restructured local governments across the UK. Following the reforms, the intention of the new local leaders was to cast off the "ostentatious frippery" of the old corporation. Consequently, plate, furniture and wines belonging to the Guildhall were sold by public auction in 1835.

John Wray I (1756-1820) was Sheriff of Hull in 1790, Lord Mayor in 1793, 1803 and stepped in again in 1812 following the death of the incumbent. His second son, Charles Wray, was for several years circa 1815 the city recorder and alderman. Given the inscription's claim, there were likely other members of the family to have served at an earlier date.

The John Wray who bought these salvers was most likely John Wray II (1782-1869), the eldest son of Mayor John Wray I. He was pivotal in getting the Metropolitan Police off the ground following its enactment by Sir Robert Peel in 1829. As the first Receiver of the Metropolitan Police, it was his responsibility to organise and oversee the collection of money from London’s parishes to fund the new-look force. See Wikipedia for more.

The front of the salvers are engraved with the city arms of Hull which depicts three ducal coronets. The salvers are in good practicable condition, although the decorative motifs to the top rim and armorials to the front are worn from use (perhaps from too much gaeity in 18th century Hull?).

A very interesting pair of waiter trays.