This outstanding silver soup tureen crafted by Paul de Lamerie stands as a shining example of this artisan's famed skill, formed in the elaborate Rococo style of which he was a master. It is decorated with the crest of Trinity College in Dublin, signifying that it was made by special commission for the esteemed university. Adorned with a stylized shell motif, scrolling handles and "bun" feet, this tureen is both sophisticated and exuberant, confirming the work’s place among the finest English silver ever created. The works of master silversmith Paul de Lamerie have been widely admired for their beauty and craftsmanship for almost 300 years. Regarded by many to be the greatest English silversmith of the 18th century, de Lamerie was renowned for his technical proficiency and innovative designs. Numerous museums and decorative art collections boast pieces by de Lamerie, including Victoria & Albert Museum (London), the Royal Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Art Institute of Chicago and The Frick Collection (New York). An identical version of this tureen, with Trinity College's crest, resides in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and an almost identical tureen is pictured in English Silver by Joseph R. Bliss.  Hallmarked London, 1749 17 1/2" wide x 10 1/2" deep x 11" high