Silver, Dublin marks for 1787-8

Tureen and cover. Silver, oval with rising loop handles. The foot and edge gadrooned; the handles chased with a band of leaf decoration; the domed cover surmounted by a spray of leaved with a nut. Engraved with the crest of Gill, co. Devon with the motto: IN TE DOMINE SPES NOSTRA (Our hope is in you, O Lord) replacing an earlier coat of arms, within garlands and palm branches. Inscribed inside the cover: GIVEN BY CECIL CROFTON 1918

Given by Cecil F. Crofton

Cecil Frederick Crofton was born Frederick William Martin on 10 November 1859 in Birmingham. After a brief career as an architect, he changed direction and became a professional actor. He was most active between 1882 and 1896 and may have changed his name during this period. He was an energetic collector of textiles, silver, furniture and art, in particular the works of Simeon Solomon.

From 1913, Cecil F. Crofton made a series of generous gifts to the V&A, including silver, works on paper, jewellery and textiles. When he donated this tureen, he requested that it be "permanently exhibited in the Museum" and that a commemorative inscription should be added. This inscription was added by Harrods, London.

This sauce tureen and cover would have been used for serving sauce or hot gravy. The earliest surviving silver examples date from the reign of George I (1714-1727). The bowl was usually oval or canoe-shaped, with a curved loop handle rising above the rim at each end. The domed cover had a finial, sometimes in the form of a lifting ring.

M.19:1, 2-1918