A Set of Four Victorian Silver-Gilt Dessert-Stands by Alexander Macrae, London, 1875

each with shaped circular bowl formed as openwork fruit and flower-heightened foliage and latticework, the bases similarly decorated and on three leaf-capped feet, each engraved under one foot with a crest 24.5cm diameter, 18cm high, 178oz 3dwt, 5,541gr (4) The crest is almost certainly that described by Fairbairn as 'On A Chapeau Gu., Turned Up Erm., A Lion Statant Gardant, The Tail Extended Or, Ducally Crowned Arg., Gorged With A Label Of Three Points Of The Last' which would seem to be that used by Sir Henry Howard G.C.M.G., K.C.B. (1843-1921). Howard descended from the 4th Duke of Norfolk and was to become a successful diplomat.