Georgian, George III period, Old Sheffield Plate serving tray from the Bull & Mouth Coaching Inn. The tray dates to around 1790 - 1810. Features twin, acanthus capped, gadrooned handles and a gadrooned border. There is a faded armorial to the centre and the tray has rolled over silver edges.
On the reverse is written "Bull & Mouth", which almost certainly relates to the famous coaching inn located on St Martin - Le -Grand in the City of London. It was renamed The Queens Hotel in 1830 and then demolised in 1888. There is a large masonry plaque commemorating this famous inn at The Museum of London and a blue plaque, at its original location. It was a vast inn, capable of holding 51 coaches and stabling 700 horses, at an adjacent location. The name Bull & Mouth was adapted from Boulogne Mouth, the town and harbour besieged by Henry VIII in 1544.
In very good condition with wear to the gadrooned border. There is surface wear and light scratches commensurate with age and its use as a public house serving tray. It is free of dents and splits.
The chased pattern that appears to show in the photos is just a reflection of the ceiling. The tray is in original, unchased, condition.
Approximate weight is 2.8 kilos.
Approximate dimensions are 71 cm length, 42 cm width and 5 cm height.
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