A PAIR OF GEORGE IV SILVER COVERED ENTREE DISHES

The arms are those of John William (Ward), 1st Earl of Dudley (1781-1833). Educated at Oxford, he was one of the few Canningite Tories in Parliament that opposed the Reform Bill. In a fit of absence of mind it is known that he had, shortly before the battle of Navarino, directed a letter intended for the French ambassador instead to Prince Lieven, the ambassador from Russia; this incidence was considered by the latter to be "one of the cleverest ruses ever attempted to be played off." Caroline Princess of Wales complained of Dudley's eating like a hog, while Lady Charlotte Bury considered him an unpleasant companion at the table.