Antique Silver Victorian Argyle made in 1889

An antique silver argyle which stands on a round foot with a rope border. The vase-shaped main body also has the same rope border.

This example has a hinged, high domed cover terminating with a ball finial, a plain neck spout and fruitwood handle.

The argyle has a central heating chamber to keep the contents hot.

This piece is engraved on the lid with the crest of the Lyle family.

Dimensions: height to finial 23 cm

John Campbell, the fifth Duke of Argyll, and his wife, Elizabeth Gunning, Baroness Hamilton of Hameldon, hated the way that gravy arrived cold to their table from the kitchens of their Inveraray Castle during the cold Scottish winters.

The Duke (1723 – 1806), succeeding his father, the fourth Duke of Argyll in 1770, was the promoter of a new piece of tableware designed to maintain the warmth of the gravy in its vessel. This, with a bit of imagination, was the origin of a warmer called ‘argyle’ (silver argyle, silver argyll) in honour of the noble family that first made a wide use of this device.

Silver argyle (silver argyll) is a gravy-warmer made in various shapes – similar to a covered coffee pot with one handle and one spout. The gravy is kept warm by means of hot water contained in a compartment created by a double exterior wall.

We provide worldwide postage/shipping and everything is fully tracked and insured. Purchases will be sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery, FedEx, Parcel Force, A-Z couriers; other delivery providers may be used in extenuating circumstances. We deliver to the address provided at the time of purchase but not to PO addresses, as a signature is required upon delivery.

Some countries levy import duties and local taxes. Payment of these is the purchaser’s responsibility and beyond the control of William Walter Antiques Ltd. When the container has reached the destination country, a customs representative will contact you for payment prior to delivery.

Import restrictions are applicable to some destinations, especially the import of products containing materials such as ivory and tortoiseshell. We cannot accept orders requiring shipment to any countries which implement such controls.

All items are checked and photographed prior to packaging, and we aim to dispatch 1-3 days after receiving cleared payment.

Delivery Charges:
For the UK £15.00
For Europe £30.00
For the rest of World £50.00
The charges are subject to change

At the heart of William Walter Antiques is our dedication to providing our customers with beautiful silver of supreme quality, which celebrates all that is precious about sterling silver. Customer service also being paramount, our long-standing, devoted staff team go above and beyond the call of duty for all our clients. We believe it is this combination of passion and commitment that has kept our customers with us for many years.

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Phone Number
+44 (0) 207 242 3248

Email
[email protected]

Visit us at the London Silver Vaults
William Walter Antiques,
London Silver Vaults,
53-64 Chancery Lane,
London, WC2A 1QS

Opening Hours
Mon – Fri: 10:00 – 17:00
Sat: 09:00 – 12.30