Earl of Grosvenor Dinner Plates, 1803

This is a stunning set of six Georgian silver dinner plates, each one emblazoned with the full Coat-of-Arms with hound supporters and coronet surmount for Robert Grosvenor. The coronet denotes an Earl and the motto reads "Nobilitatis Virtus Non Stemma Character" which translates to "Virtue not Pedigree is the Mark of Nobility".

These round, top quality silver plates were made by the premier specialist silver largeworker, William Stroud and have a bold gadroon border. They are in fantastic condition with clear hallmarks, crisply engraved armorials and an excellent patina with some fine surface marks from use.

PROVENANCE: Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster (1767-1845) succeded to the title of 2nd Earl Grosvenor in 1802 and it would have been at this time that he purchased these plates. The re-building of Grosvenor House in London was his responsibility and he was an avid collector and patron of the arts. He was a conservative politician, Lord Lieutenant of Flintshire and Mayor of Chester (1807/8). Robert Grosvenor was created Marquess of Westminster in 1831. He was an ancestor of the modern-day Dukes of Westminster who during the late 20th century were the richest family in the UK. More can be found about this nobleman on Wikipedia at this link:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Grosvenor,_1st_Marquess_of_Westminster