A George IV Irish silver rounded rectangular toasted cheese dish by Stephen Bergin, Dublin 1821, with a screw-out turned wood handle to allow for filling with hot water, a rounded oval finial to the detachable shallow domed cover, a nulled rim, in four paw feet, engraved with a crest, 21.5cm (8 1/2in) wide, 1386g (44.55 oz) gross (lacking the short chain) The crest belongs to Henry BARRY (1770-1823), 8th Earl Barrymore. The BARRY family of Co. Cork were created Earls of Barrymore 1628, having been previously Viscount Barry (created 1541) and Baron Barry (created 1261) all in the Irish peerage. All titles became extinct in 1823 with the decease of the 8th Earl. Henry Barry (1770-1823), who had the unfortunate nickname 'Cripplegate', probably as a result the disfigurement that he suffered throughout his life, was the son of Richard Barry (1745-1773), the 6th Earl by Amelia Stanhope (1749-1780) the daughter of William Stanhope (1719-1799) 2nd Earl of Harrington. Henry Barry was never married and had inherited the title as a result of the accidental death of his elder brother Richard Barry (1769-1793), the 7th Earl, just one year after his marriage to Charlotte Goulding. The Barry family were not held in the highest esteem. Many of the male members of the family being considered to be womanisers and frequent gamblers and theatre goers and this may be the reason for their short lives. The last generation of the family were categorised by their unfortunate nicknames: sister Caroline as 'Billingsgate' as a result of her 'foul tongue'; youngest brother Augustus (1773-1818) as 'Newgate' as a result of his encounter with Newgate Prison. Perhaps the demise of their line was inevitable. Condition Report: Marks are partially obscured Play to the handle The handle with various splits Crest is crisp Finial slightly pushed into the cover Wobbles Front left foot bent Gap to the cover Light scratches and wear commensurate with age and use Condition Report Disclaimer