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In 1730 centrepieces like this were the last word in spectacular dining gadgets. Made for the Williams family of Bodelwyddan and Chester, this is the earliest surviving British example. Its interchangeable configurations placed condiments and desserts within reach of about a dozen diners, and even provided candlelight to eat by.

Centrepiece or surtout de table, comprising; an octagonal baluster basin or tureen on four prominent scrolling feet, the lower part decorated with Regence strap, feather, anthemion and acanthus ornament on a matted ground; each side cast with a panel of beaded trellis work applied in low relief with the arms of Williams, two foxes salient in saltire, the ends applied with boldly modelled female heads on a chased and punched diaper ground between shell and floriate scroll panels, two curving ribbed handles with leaf ornament and shell terminals, a cast band of Regence strap and mask ornament on a matted ground below the lip; a shallow octagonal dish, with fluted sides and reeded rim, four shell and leaf scroll handles, the centre engraved with the arms of Williams on a diaper ground in an elaborate scroll, shell and mask cartouche flanked a mer man and woman supporting a fountain on their heads; at each corner of the lip a square holder for four up-curving candle branches, comprising a spreading square section branch with leaf scroll ornament, a dish-shaped drip pan engraved with a fox head crest, and a baluster nossle; below on each corner of the lower part of the body a square holder for four small dishes on supports, the dishes or saucers circular with fluted sides and engraved with the arms of Williams as on the centre dish but reduced in size, on four hoof feet for separate use but screwing into curved supports with matted ground, folliate scroll ornament and central baluster; in the centre of each long side a support for a tripartite caster stand comprising a central octagonal plate for a large caster flanked by smaller similar, all three elaborately pierced and engraved with strapwork, the central one decorated with the Williams arms among medallion heads, shells and scrolls, the smaller similar and bearing the fox head crest; on each short side a cruet frame containing two cut-glass bottles (one a modern replacement), the frames slotting onto a curved folliate ornamented support on a square holder from the lower part of the body, each on four hoof feet for separate use and with an ear-shaped handle, each bottle container octagonal with pierced sides, elaborately engraved with strapwork, scrolls and masks, the long-necked facetted bottles fitted with silver mounts comprising a double C-scroll handle and a deep lip, with a small sparrow-beak spout and a domed, hinged cover and bead finial.

Weight: 391 ounces 8 dwt.