~ Large Portuguese Silver Tray With Swans Ex-Admiral Charles Beresford ~
The scalloped tray has swan handles, one with stretched wings, the other folded. The four legs are of swan form too. It came from the family of Admiral Charles Beresford
It bears Portuguese hallmarks and dates to around 1900.
~ Admiral Charles Beresford ~
Admiral Charles William de la Poer Beresford, 1st Baron Beresford, GCB, GCVO, FRSGS (10 February 1846 – 6 September 1919), styled Lord Charles Beresford between 1859 and 1916, was a British admiral and Member of Parliament.
Beresford was the second son of John Beresford, 4th Marquess of Waterford, thus despite his courtesy title as the younger son of a Marquess, he was still eligible to enter the House of Commons. He combined the two careers of the navy and a member of parliament, making a reputation as a hero in battle and champion of the navy in the House of Commons. He was a well-known and popular figure who courted publicity, widely known to the British public as “Charlie B”. He was considered by many to be a personification of John Bull, indeed was normally accompanied by his trademark, a bulldog.
His later career was marked by a longstanding dispute with Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher, over reforms championed by Fisher introducing new technology and sweeping away traditional practices. Fisher, slightly senior to Beresford and more successful, became a barrier to Beresford’s rise to the highest office in the navy. Beresford rose to occupy the most senior sea commands, the Mediterranean and Channel fleets, but failed in his ambition to become First Sea Lord.
~ Condition ~
Please refer to the images, it is in excellent condition with minor wear and one small ding.
~ Dimensions ~
The tray is 41 m (16 inches) wide and 25 cm (10 inches) deep. It weighs 510g.
JA_8797116576