An impressive Victorian sterling silver presentation tray William Wild & Co., Sheffield, 1844

Presented to Charles Powell Leslie III (Irish, 1821-1871) by his tenants on October 17, 1844, with shaped and scrolled foliate border centering an elaborate presentation inscription surrounded by five cartouches depicting seasonal agricultural scenes, engraved with the arms of the Leslie family of Monaghan, raised on gryphon feet; marked to front near rim.

Provenance: The Collection of Victor Niederhoffer.

Charles Powell Leslie III served as a Conservative member of parliament for the Irish county of Monaghan from 1843 to 1871, following his father and grandfather who each held the seat before him, and as Lord Lieutenant of Monaghan from 1858 to 1871. Unmarried and without an heir, upon his death in 1871 his younger brother, Sir John Leslie, 1st Baronet of Glaslough (Irish, 1822-1916), succeeded him in Parliament. Sir John is perhaps best known for his construction of Castle Leslie in Glaslough, Monaghan in 1870, which later served as the venue for Paul McCartney's wedding to Heather Mills in 2002.

The present lot bears an elaborate inscription dedicating the tray to Charles Powell Leslie in 1844 upon the occasion of his reduction in his tenants' rents, evidently greatly appreciated by his tenants and which "pervades and gladdens every circle downwards to the most humble cottage on your property." The inscription continues:

"This lasting testimony of kindness bestowed upon your People leads them to trespass further upon your Indulgence, and to claim one other boon; the acceptance of this Piece of Plate, not valuable by virtue of the metal alone, but rendered so by the blessings that accompany it! You have added lustre to the 'Crest' that supports it!"

This inscription is surrounded by beautifully cast and chased reserves depicting idyllic scenes of agricultural work throughout the seasons, with each cartouche titled by lines from James Thomson's 1730 poem, "The Seasons." Beneath the central cartouche with plow and planted bed, an inscription reads: "Success to the Glasslough [sic] Farming Society." The poignant nature of this generous gift from tenant farmers to their wealthy lord is rendered all the more heart-wrenching when considering it was presented in October 1844, only months before the failed potato harvests of 1845 that would lead to the widespread starvation and death among the Irish people.

Presented to Charles Powell Leslie III (Irish, 1821-1871) by his tenants on October 17, 1844, with shaped and scrolled foliate border centering an elaborate presentation inscription surrounded by five cartouches depicting seasonal agricultural scenes, engraved with the arms of the Leslie family of Monaghan, raised on gryphon feet; marked to front near rim.

H: 3 3/4 in., W: 20 3/8 in., L: 31 in. Weight: 180 oz. t.

Provenance: The Collection of Victor Niederhoffer.