Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Bowl and cover, yellow silver gilt, oval bombe form, standing on four shell and foliate scroll bracket feet, knurled rim, the sides lobed in four curved panels, ornamented in relief with flowers and foliage issuing from C-scrolls, divided by matted acanthus scrolls, two beaded scroll handles with central C-scroll and acanthus thumbpiece issuing from folage terminals; shallow domed cover, formed in four panels, divided by matted acanthus scrolls, and with a realistically modelled foliage and bead knop rising from embossed flowers and foliage, the rim knurled and with a cut-out for a spoon, engraved with the arms of Williams-Wynn impaling Somerset, pendant from a ribbon bow, and within palm fronds, motto Nec Me Nemi Nisse Pigebit below.

This spectacular toilet service was given as a gift by Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s mother to her new daughter-in-law, Henrietta Somerset, in 1768. Silver toilet services, comprising a mirror, candlesticks and boxes for jewellery and patches, became a symbol of rank and high status from the 1660s. They were displayed on dressing tables with rich lace covers. Thomas Heming was principal goldsmith to the King, and this service is similar to the one he had made two years earlier for the Queen of Denmark.