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Snuffer tray, pale yellow silver gilt, rectangular, with curving sides, standing on four scrolling feet terminating in shells, the tray chased with scrolling laurel foliage and engraved with the arms of Williams-Wynn impaling Somerset, pendant from a ribbon bow, and within palm fronds; the moulded sides ornamented with scrolls, flowers and foliage in relief, the canted corners cast with C-scrolls and shells, large shell scroll in the centre of each long side, one forming the terminal of the S-scroll handle with beaded scroll and acanthus thumbpiece.

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.