Irish 'Hanoverian' Pattern Sterling Silver George II/III Flatware Service for 12, 1738 and later

Early Irish silver from this period is very rare and a service in the Hanoverian pattern is quite a find. Although assembled and with later crests, it is a striking service in remarkable condition for its age. Even the knives are in great shape with later replaced stylistically correct saber-shaped stainless blades.

This service consists of:

12 Table Forks
12 Table Spoons
12 Dessert (Luncheon) Forks
12 Dessert Spoons
12 Tea Spoons
12 Table Knives
12 Dessert (Luncheon) Knives

The dates and makers on the service are as follows:

Table Forks:
Alexander Richard, Dublin. All 12 stamped with a date mark of 1747. The crest engraved on the table forks is that of an open palm with outstretched thumb. They measure 7.5 inches long and weigh a total 27.50 troy ounces.

Table Spoons:
Joseph Teafe, Dublin, three have a date marks of 1737/38, 1 has date mark of 1738/39; Christopher Skinner, Dublin, one has a date mark of 1743, three have date mark for 1750 and two have no date mark; Alexander Richard, Dublin, two have a date mark of 1750. The crest engraved on the table spoons is that of an arm, clad in armor clutching an arrow. They measure 8.75 inches long and weigh a total 25.90 troy ounces.

Dessert (Luncheon) Forks:
John Letablere, Dublin, three have a date mark of 1766, three have no date mark; David Peter, Dublin, three have a date mark of 1765; John Pittar, Dublin, one has a date mark of 1754; maker unknown, Dublin, one with a date mark of 1754 and one with date mark of 1764. The dessert or luncheon forks measure 6.5 inches long and weigh a total 16.55 troy ounces.

Dessert Spoons:
Alexander Richards, Dublin, four have a date mark of 1750; John Pittar, Dublin, two have a date mark of 1763; James Kennedy, Dublin, one with a date mark of 1784; Christopher. Skinner, Dublin, one without a date mark; Michael Keating, Dublin, one without a date mark; John Laughlin, Dublin, one without a date mark; maker unknown, two. The crest engraved on the dessert spoons, dessert forks and tea spoons is that of deer antlers extending from a coronet.
The dessert spoons measure 6.75 inches long and weigh a total 11.55 troy ounces.

Tea Spoons:
John Baily, Dublin; three with a date mark of 1806; Christopher Skinner, Dublin, four without a date mark; maker unknown, five. The tea spoons measure 4.75 inches long and weigh a total 4.80 troy ounces.

The set of twelve luncheon and twelve dinner knives have mid eighteenth century sterling handles from London with later stainless steel blades. They measure 9.5 and 8.25 inches long respectively.

Irish silver is very rare and a service in the Hanoverian pattern is extraordinary. The service is in excellent condition with minor wear.

Provenance: From a prominent North Shore family.