A set of four Victorian silver gilt circular Dinner Plates, with gadrooned rims, each engraved to the rim with the coat of arms of Thomas George Baring, Earl of Northbrook, hallmarked for London, 1872, with maker’s mark for Barnard & Sons Ltd (John, Edward, Walter & John Barnard), the reverse stamped with retailer’s mark ‘THOMAS, NEW BOND STREET’ and bearing inventory numbers 81, 117, 134 and 169, diameter 25cm, gross weight 87oz. £3000-5000

Provenance: The arms are those of BARING, as borne by the Earls of Northbrook.

Thomas George Baring, 2nd Baron Northbrook, 1st Viscount Baring of Lee and 1st Earl of Northbrook, 1826-1904, was the eldest son of Sir Francis Baring, 1st Baron Northbook, whom he succeeded as 2nd Baron in 1866. From 1857-1866, he was an MP and served as a Lord of the Admiralty (1857-58), Under-secretary for War (1861) and for India (1861-1866) and Secretary to the Admiralty (1866). In 1868, under Gladstone as Prime Minister, he again became Under Secretary for War, until 1872, when he was appointed Governor General and Viceroy of India, Governor of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India. He resigned in 1876 over a policy difference with the Secretary of State for India, the Duke of Argyll.

In 1876 he was made Earl of Northbrook. He was succeeded in 1904 by his son, 2nd Earl Northbrook but the title has now lapsed.

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Ambassadorial and Viceregal ceremonial plate was supplied by the State, but was usually retained by the holder on retirement.

See: Lot 84, Sale 2591, 19th October 2012, Christie’s New York, a set of 12 dinner plates from the same ceremonial dinner service.