The circular dishes with sloped gadrooned rims with double-shells flanked by acanthus at intervals, the high domed covers with band of shells alternating with stylized lotus blossoms, the reeded loop handles springing from lion heads atop a flowerhead, engraved on both sides with a coat-of-arms and supporters under a baron's coronet, the dishes with conforming crest marked on sides of dishes, undersides of covers and finials
11¹⁄₈ in. (28.3 cm.) diameter
122 oz. 8 dwt. (3,807 gr.)

Edward John Littleton, 1st Baron Hatherton (1791-1863), and his wife Hyacinth Mary (1789-1849).
Acquired from S.J. Shrubsole, New York, 6 December 2017.

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Lot Essay

The coat-of-arms on the present lot are those of Littleton impaling Colley quartering Wellesley for Edward John Littleton, 1st Baron Hatherton (1791-1863), and his wife Hyacinth Mary (1789- 1849), natural daughter of Richard Wellsley 1st Marquess Wellesley (1760-1842), whom he married in 1812.

Baron Hatherton was a British politician, connected with the Canningite Tories and later the Whigs. During his forty-five year political career, he was active in each of the Houses of Parliament, and was deeply involved in a number of major reforms, including the Catholic Emancipation, the Truck Act 1831, the Parlimentary Boundaries Act 1832 and the Municipal Corporations Act 1835. He served a Chief Secretary for Ireland 1833-1834.

Hatherton was heir to both the Littleton and Walhouse estates, making him a significant landowner in Staffordshire. In addition to agriculture and residential properties, Hatherton held major holdings in coal mines, quaries and brickworks, primarily in the vicinities of Cannock, Penkride and Walsall.

Following the 1849 death of Lady Hatherton, he married secondly Caroline Hurt Davenport (1810–1897) of Wirksworth, Derbyshire. Hatherton died at Teddesley Hall, Staffordshire, in May 1863, aged 72, and was buried, with his first wife and daughter, at Penkridge parish church. He was succeeded in the barony by his son Edward Richard Littleton (1815-1888).