A cased pair of George III silver tea caddies probably John Hutson, London 1787

A cased pair of George III silver tea caddies probably John Hutson, London 1787 Rectangular box-shape, the sliding cover pulling out via internal grooves, centred by an armorial for the 'BIRCH' family, overall plain polished, with elegant engraved borders top and bottom on each visible side, resembling a wavy pelmet fringe, consisting of vertical lines with simple bright-cut decoration, including repeating tassel motifs, both caddies cased side by side in a black lacquer box with divider, gilt decoration to the inside cover, to the exterior a silver carrying handle to the top and a silver lock to the front , height caddy 9cm, weight total 17oz. Footnotes: Provenance Inherited by family descent. This is the very distinctive crest of the BIRCH family, consisting of a fleur de lis entwined by a serpent. This particular crest was used by branches of the family which were found in Lancashire, Staffordshire and Shropshire. It is known that this branch of the BIRCH family married into the DE HOGTONS/HOUGHTONS of Hoghton Tower near Preston, where James I is supposed to have knighted a loin of beef (hence 'Sirloin'). They are also related to THOMAS SEDDON, artist. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing