Speaker Lowther Presentation Dish, 1910
Sold
Dish - Circular on Pedestal Foot with Hand Beaten Finish - London 1910 by William Comyns - 20.5cm diameter; 710g - EH/9707
This good hefty, shallow bowl was made by William Comyns of London, one of the best silversmiths of the period and has a very interesting provenance.
This 8" diameter dish stands on a pedestal foot and has a lovely feeling of high quality. The spot hammered finish give it an arts & crafts appearance and the condition is excellent throughout. One of the panels is engraved with a dragon crest and around the top rim is an engraved inscription that reads:
"Presented to Speaker & Mrs Lowther on the occasion of their Silver Wedding by some members of their family March 1st 1911".
James William Lowther, 1st Viscount Ullswater, GCB PC, JP, DL (1855 - 1949) was a British politician and Speaker of the House of Commons between 1905 and 1921. He was the longest-serving Speaker of the 20th century and came up with the three golden rules for Parliamentary speakers: "Stand up. Speak up. Shut up".
More can be found about this interesting character at this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Lowther,_1st_Viscount_Ullswater
