Adam's IRISH VERNACULAR 12 APRIL 2023

44 86 A LATE 18TH CENTURY IRISH SILVER DISH RING, Dublin c. 1772, mark of Edward Boyce, of circular waisted form with repoussé, chased, and engraved animal, foliate decoration within a rural town, with a vacant cartouche (10.55 troy ozs). 20.5cm diameter, 9.5cm (h) € 4,000 - 5,000 An item most associated with Ireland than any other domestic silver item is the dish ring. While first invented in England it was their Irish counterparts that developed them into centrepieces of the dining table and they hold direct connotations with the traditional Irish home. In the Georgian era the two main types of designs that appear are naturalistic rococo decoration with shells, cherubs, and foliate patterns. While the neo-classical theme went in the other direction, incorporating geomet - ric motifs that we most often associate with architectural features. The design of dish rings, cylindrical in shape, with one end large than the other, are inherently practical, allow - ing them to be flipped depending on the size of different dishes.