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Ewer, pale yellow silver gilt, ovoid body, moulded foot ornamented with five fan-shaped shell panels between leaf tongues, all within a knurled and acanthus rim, trumpet-shaped stem with guilloche collar, the lower part of the body embossed with waved water ornament centring on a shell, swags of flowers and foliage above, pendant from a band of C-scrolls at the shoulders; engraved below the high curving spout with the arms of Williams-Wynn impaling Somerset, pendant from a ribbon bow, and within palm fronds, motto Nec Me Nemi Nisse Pigebit; neck with two matted panels ornamented with convolulus, and withan elaborated acanthus scroll behind the handle, knurled rim ornamented with foliate scrolls and shells; high scrolling handle with leaf 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.