Clan Donald Crest?

[KGarrad]

But lions tend to have smaller ears (in heraldry)!

[Flattybasher9]

Not when they are wearing crowns!!


Regards

Malky

[Skoosh]

King Charles Spaniels. 

Skoosh.

[KGarrad]

I have tried numerous searches, looking for a blazon stating "Argent, a fess double cotised gules" and the Le Despencer coat-of-arms seems to fit the bill?!

Not seeing anything with "3 lions heads erased" or eagles or King Charles Spaniels!
Le Despencer does indeed have "3 gryphon heads erased, or" on the fess.

[MrSaunders]

I'm sorry the picture isn't sharper. Still hard to tell with my own eyes, there is one that seems to have forked tongue...

[Flattybasher9]

The problem with this type of crest on silver is that there was "artistic license" for the engraver, the same as there was for porcelain artists, one of which, we had a post on here regarding plates with castles not so long ago. So it may not be an actual reference to two families conjoining.
Can you discern the actual maker from the hallmarks?

Regards

Malky. 

[Skoosh]

Malky, I think it's unlikely that the silversmith would do the engraving, it's not at all like porcelain.   Engraved silver was greatly reduced in retail value, still is. You buy a silver tray and take it to an engraver or if you buy it direct the siversmith sends it out to an engraver.
 I think Clan Donald can be ruled out here, there doesn't seem to be any heraldic justification for it.

Skoosh.

[MrSaunders]

Thanks all. My research suggests that in 1812 silver was very much for the very wealthy and the crest would most likely have been added at a later date when the family had all their silver 'crested' at once. So the crest may have existed prior to 1812 but it most likely would have been added to this piece after 1812.

[KGarrad]

Actually, what you have is a coat-of-arms engraved on the plate.

The crest is the helmet, and other bits-and-bobs, that sits on top of the shield.


See FAQ 4 here: http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/resources/faqs