Plate

Pewter plate, with the rim engraved with a crowned ‘GivR’ cypher for King George IV, and is reinforced on the underside. No visible touch. Date: early 19th century.

Probably a ‘trophy prize’ taken by one of the guests at the Coronation Banquet of George IV on 19th July, 1821. At the end of the banquet diners ‘arms were everywhere seen stretched forth breaking and destroying table ornaments, which were of themselves too cumberous to remove, for the puprose of obtaining some trophy commemorative of the occasion.’ This included the pewter plates, dishes and salts suitably ‘engraved with the Royal Arms and the letters “Geo.IV” [or as here,“GivR”] in ornamented script’. The pewter was made by Thomas Alderson, OP40, – active from c. 1796-1825. See also Acc. no. O2686.