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Whisk or powder brush, yellow silver gilt handle, pear-shaped baluster form, topped with a pointed leaf bead, upper part cast with four beaded acanthus leaves, swelling below in four panels edged with foliate scrolls, the centres embossed with a flower and foliage, and engraved with the arms of Williams-Wynn impaling Somerset, pendant from a ribbon bow, and within palm fronds, pierced and engraved rim, terminating in acanthus containing a conical white horse hair brush.

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.