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Tray, yellow silver gilt, shaped oblong form, flat base and raised sides, knurled rim swelling to a beaded shell within leaves in the centre of each long side, a shell and a leaf-clad and beaded scroll handle in the centre of each end, the sides embossed with vigorously modelled trails of flowers and foliage within C-scrolls and pendant from the four indented corners, the centre embossed with an oval wreath of foliate scrolls and foliage, 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.