The Badminton House Sideboard Dish made in London in 1775 by Frederick Kandler.

This exceptionally fine Dish has a shaped circular form with raised plain design, an unusual design to see in England at this date. The border is engraved with a contemporary Armorial, with supporters each side, and a Motto engraved below on a banner. This is all surmounted by the Coronet of a Duke. The reverse is very well marked and it is engraved with its original scratch weight. The dish is of an outstanding weight and is in excellent condition, with a very good colour. Diameter: 12 inches, 30 cm. Weight: 32oz. Frederick Kandler. Frederick Kandler is considered one of the most important silversmiths of the Eighteenth century and had workshops in Jermyn Street, St. James's when this piece was made. His finest piece is considered to be that of the Great Wine Cooler in the Hermitage. Examples of his work very rarely appear on the market today. Armorial Research. The Armorial, Motto and Crest are those of Henry, 5th Duke of Beaufort (1744-1803), son of Charles, 4th Duke of Beaufort and his wife Elizabeth (nee Berkeley), who ascended to the family titles and estates in 1756. The Duke held many prominent positions at the Royal Court and was a prominent Freemason. He served as Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England from 1767 to 1772 and he was also Master of the Horse to Queen Charlotte (1768-1770). He was Lord Lieutenant of Monmouthshire (1771-1803), Brecknockshire, (1787-1803) and Leicestershire (1787-1799) and was made a Knight of the Garter in 1786. In 1766 he had married Elizabeth Boscawen (d. 1828), daughter of Admiral Boscawen and they had nine sons and 4 daughters. Their youngest son, Lord Fitzroy Somerset (1788-1855), had a distinguished military career including being Aide-de-Compte to the Prince Regent, Military Secretary to the Duke of Wellington and overall commander of the British forces in the Crimean war (during which he was promoted to Field Marshall). The archives of the family, still at Badminton House in Gloucestershire (the main seat of the Dukes of Beaufort), show that most of the plate was sold at auction in 1757 (following the discovery of significant debts on death of the 4th Duke). The purchases of the 5th Duke are recorded in the Steward’s book and in the Hoare’s bank records detailing the names of the suppliers, but no bills have survived. These records do show that the 5th Duke patronised Frederick Kandler from 1768-1778 and Charles Kandler from 1777-1791. In 1775 the total spent was £114 (following £8 in 1774 and followed by £243 in 1777). On 13th June 1895 4,000 Ounces of dining plate was sold by the Duke of Beaufort at Christie’s and in 1953 some family silver was sold at Christie’s by Archie Gordon, a descendant of the 5th Duke's mother. This second sale included several pieces made in 1775 by Kandler: a pair of dishes (37 Troy Ounces 12 penny weights) , a pair of meat dishes (89 Ounces 7 penny weights) and a soup tureen and cover (100 Ounces 7 penny weights). Interestingly there is some evidence, based on the brief descriptions done at the time, that the unusual shape of this dish may have been based on one made by Ayme Videau for the 3rd or 4th Duke in 1745 and sold in 1953. A portrait of the 5th Duke by Francis Cotey is shown, as well as a view of the magnificent Badminton House.

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