A set of twelve George III Irish silver dinner plates...

Shaped-circular form with gadroon borders, engraved with the arms of Moore, for Edward, 6th Earl of Drogheda and later 1st Marquess of Drogheda.

24.5cm., 9 1/2in. diameter
6440gr., 207oz.

Condition Report:
Engraved on the undersides with scratch-weights and numbers 25 to 36.
Clear marks.
Light scratching in the bases.
One with a small ding.
One with a faint crease.

Catalogue Note:
The arms are those of Moore, Earls of Drogheda for Charles Moore (29 June 1730 - 22 December 1822), 6th Earl of Drogheda, who in July 1791 was created Marquess of Drogheda.

‘DEATH of the MARQUESS of DROGHEDA.

‘This venerable Nobleman departed this life on the 22nd inst. at his house, in Sackville street [Dublin], in the 94th year of his age. His Lordship’s Titles were, Marquess and Earl of Drogheda, Viscount More, Baron Mellifont, Baron Moore, of Moore place, Kent, in England; Constable of Maryborough Fort Governor and Custos Rotulorum of the King’s and Queen’s Counties and County of Marsh, Trustee of the Linen Manufacture, and one of the original Knights of the Order of St. Patrick. His Lordship was also a Field Marshal, and the oldest General in his Majesty’s service. He raised the 18th Dragoons in the year 1762, since which time he commanded it until its reduction last year. His Lordship was married in the year 1766, to Lady Anne Seymour, eldest daughter of Francis, Marquess of Hertford, K.G. who died in 1787, and was buried in the family vault, at Mellifont Abbey.’ (The Statesman, London, Monday, 30 December 1822, p. 3c)

Charles Moore, 1st Marquess of Drogheda was the eldest son of Edward Moore, 5th Earl of Drogheda (1701-1758) and his first wife, Sarah (1711?-1736), fourth daughter of Brabazon Ponsonby, 1st Earl of Bessborough. Known as Viscount Moore from 1752 until the death of his father, he entered the army in 1744, was present at the Battle of Culloden on 16 April 1746 and in January 1755 was promoted to the rank of brevet lieutenant colonel. Increasingly involved in political affairs he nevertheless continued his army career, being promoted major-general on 30 August 1770, lieutenant-general on 29 August 1777, general on 12 October 1793, and field marshal on 19 July 1821.

In his private life, Moore was a heavy gambler, Walpole remarking in 1784 that he was 'ruining his health through drink and play.’ His pecuniary situation continued to be an embarrassment to the end of his life, although, in accordance with his own instructions, he was buried with great pomp on 3 January 1823 in the family vault at St. Peter’s Church, Drogheda. ‘The funeral procession was met at the entrance of the town by the Mayor and a numerous assemblage of the Corporation, in their robes, who attended to pay the last sad tribute of respect to the departed Nobleman, who was the oldest freeman of their body; and in compliance with his Lordship’s Will, the members who attended were provided with scarfs and hatbands. Almost all the clergymen of the town and immediate vicinity attended in their gowns.’ (The Englishman, London, Sunday, 5 January 1823, p. 1d)