The Beresford Entree Dishes

Maker’s of Paul Storr

London, 1812

Length: 31cm (12.2in)

Weight: 115oz (3,560gr)

Bearing the engraved coat of arms of Admiral

Sir John Poer Beresford, 1st Baronet.

This is a magnificent pair of silver entree dishes made by Paul Storr, in 1812. They are made to the finest quality as one would expect with pieces bearing the famous PS hallmark. The bases have Storr’s signature shell and gardrooned border which is also repeated on the lid. The removable handles have a beautiful almost leaf design which gives the dishes a real presence on the table.

Furthermore, these entree dishes have been designed in such a way that when you remove the handles the lid can be turned over and used as a further two dishes meaning you now have four. This gives these dishes a wonderful versatility that can suit many different occasions.

This pair of dishes were made in 1812 and bear the engraved coat of arms of Admiral Sir John Poer Beresford, 1st Baronet. See on the final page for more details on Beresford’s illustrious Naval career however in 1812 he was knighted as a result of his actions in the War of 1812 in America and it is likely he commissioned these dishes (and maybe an entire dinner service) to celebrate his new status in society.

Admiral Sir John Poer Beresford, 1st Baronet.

Beresford joined the Royal Navy in 1782. In summer 1809, he was called as a witness at the Court-martial of James, Lord Gambier which assessed whether Admiral Lord Gambier had failed to support Captain Lord Cochrane at the Battle of Basque Roads in April 1809. Gambier was controversially cleared of all charges.

During the War of 1812, as captain of HMS Poictiers, he ineptly bombarded Lewes in Delaware. The Beresford-led Poictiers-four hours after USS Wasp, commanded by Jacob Jones, captured HMS Frolic-captured Wasp, recaptured Frolic and brought both to Bermuda. Later, he was Commanders-in-Chief of Leith Station (1821–25) and The Nore (1830-33).

He was MP for Coleraine 1809–12 & 1814–23, Berwick-upon-Tweed 1823–26, Northallerton 1826–32, and Chatham 1835–37. Beresford was knighted in 1812, and baroneted - Bagnall County Waterford in 1814.