Significant London William IV 1835 Sterling Silver – Mounted Wood Wine/Champagne Coaster by John, Henry & Charles Lias

A significant piece of history, from London, a William IV  sterling silver-mounted wood wine/champagne bottle coaster. Lovely “8-pointed star” scalloped design. The interior wooden base has a sterling silver disc with an armorial of a “unicorn over a crown”. In 1835, the United Kingdom was under the reign of King William IV, and the Royal Coat of Arms, including the unicorn and crown, would have been a prominent symbol of the monarchy and the union of the crowns of England and Scotland. The central armorial disc has a sterling silver hallmark and the engraved image of the “unicorn over the crown” is repeated on the side of the coaster. The sterling marks dating 1835 along the lower trim indicate that the maker is the Lias family London silversmith firm whose origins go back to 1791 when John Lias began his business . In 1818 he took as his partner his son Henry Lias I and they were joined from 1823 to 1837 by another son, Charles.

William IV, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (r. 1830-1837), was the third son of George III, known for his naval career and his reign which saw the passage of the Reform Act of 1832, a significant step towards democratic reform. His reign saw several reforms: the Poor Law was updated, child labour restricted, slavery abolished in nearly all of the British Empire, and the electoral system refashioned. As his health deteriorated and the end of his reign was in sight, it would soon become clear that his young niece Victoria was set to become heir to the throne as he had no surviving legitimate children. On 20th June 1837, his wife Adelaide by his side, William IV passed away at Windsor Castle.

A marvellous piece of history, a “tale” that this piece brings to any table.

English hallmarked sterling for London, 1835

Dimensions: Top diameter 6.0″ x diameter of base 5.0″ x height 2.0″ Note: the reverse of the wood base, that holds the silver armorial disc, is anchored with a metal clip. This original wood base shows its history of the maker’s work but can be covered with felt.