A unique pair of silver-footed salvers from the early eighteenth century are to go on display at the Grosvenor Museum after being bought and donated by the Tyrer Charitable Trust.
With support from the Wills, Trusts and Tax team at Chester-based law firm Aaron & Partners, the rare pieces will extend the permanent exhibition of Chester silver at The Ridgway Silver Gallery.
Crafted in 1718 by Richard Richardson I, a freeman and the first of four generations of silversmiths in Chester, the silver trays bear an important significance for the Cheshire region and are considered to be exceptionally rare, as no other pair of salvers by Richardson’s family are known to exist.
The salvers are crested, which indicates they were made to celebrate the marriage and union of two families. However, an unsolved mystery relates to the blank space on one side of the centre of the plates and a lack of engraving. Historians have suggested this could mean the wedding did not take place or that the marriage may have ended in divorce, but they intend to do more research to uncover the truth.
After being purchased by the Trust, the pieces have now returned to their place of origin in Chester for public viewing and will form part of a permanent exhibition.
Clive Pointon, Partner and Head of Wills, Trusts & Tax at Aaron & Partners, chairs The Tyrer Charitable Trust and takes a leading role in the purchasing of valuable artworks and artefacts with a Cheshire connection, and making them available to the public to enjoy.
Clive said: “The Trust takes immense pride in curating valuable artefacts that represent our region, and it's wonderful to see the collection constantly growing.
“These silver-footed salvers are proof of the craftsmanship and talent that has flourished in Chester for centuries, and we’re delighted to return the pieces to their home city. The fascinating story of the missing engravings adds to their intrigue and this is a mystery we hope that historians can help us solve.
“Together with the Grosvenor Museum, we want to make sure the city’s historical and cultural heritage is accessible for everyone, encouraging a sense of local pride across our communities.
“We invite everyone to visit the Grosvenor Museum to explore the rich history of our region and enjoy all the wonderful exhibits the galleries hold.”