Art Collections Online
Date: 1773
Media: silver gilt
Size: h(cm) : 2.6 x l(cm) : 28.1 x w(cm) : 20.7,h(cm) :
Acquired: 1992; Purchased with the assistance of the National Art Collections Fund
Accession Number: NMW A 50659
This group of dishes is from a 160-piece service commissioned by Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn for his new house in St James’s Square, London. Many of the shapes were designed by Robert and James Adam, making it the largest and most important architect-designed service of the eighteenth century. The service has been dispersed but several pieces are now in the Museum’s collection. It was made up of sets of round and oval serving dishes, four tureens, twelve sauceboats, and four candelabra, as well as plates and salt cellars. It cost the then-massive sum of £2,408 18 shillings.