A historically important inscribed Victorian sterling silver salver from the Lonsdale Silver Presentation, William Ker Reid, London, circa 1840

PROPERTY FROM A DESCENDANT OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM LONSDALE

the body of shaped circular outline with a pie-crust edge, the rim moulded with Acanthus leaves and c-scrolls, inscribed 'Presented / TO / William Lonsdale Esqre / BY CERTAIN INHABITANTS / of the / TOWN & DISTRICT OF / MELBOURNE, / Port Phillip / IN TESTIMONY OF THEIR HIGH REGARD / for his Public & Private Character. / A.D. 1839', within a foliate surround, above pierced and leaf cast scroll feet
approximately 884 gms total weight of silver, 30.5 cm diameter

Provenance

Captain William Lonsdale (1799-1864), acquired in 1842
Edgar Lonsdale Esq. (1839-1885), by descent from the above
Granville Lonsdale Esq. (1884-1922), by descent from the above
Mrs Muriel Ruth Lonsdale-Weir (1916-1987), by descent from the above
Mrs Liona Cecilia Newman, by descent from the above

Exhibited

The Lonsdale Silver Presentation: An Exhibition, The National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Como House, Melbourne, 16-31 July 1988
Victoria On Show, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, 15-18 February 1996
Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo, 18 September 1996-circa December 1998

Literature

Testimonial to Captain Lonsdale', Port Phillip Herald, Melbourne, 28 January 1840, p. 3
'Captain Lonsdale', Port Phillip Herald, Melbourne, 31 January 1840, p. 2
'List of Subscribers to the Testimonial to be Presented to Captain Lonsdale', Port Phillip Herald, Melbourne, 31 January 1840, p. 2
'Captain Lonsdale', Port Phillip Herald, Melbourne, 15 March 1842, p. 4
Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo, 18 September 1996-circa December 1998
The Lonsdale Silver Presentation: An Exhibition, The National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Melbourne, 1988, p. 3
John M. Wilkins, The Life and Times of Captain William Lonsdale, "Nieuwe Dieper", 1799-1864: The Biographical Diary of Port Phillip's "Accredited Spy", J. Wilkins, Melbourne, 1991, pp. 128, 128B (illustrated)