An Interesting Silver Tray Presented to Sir James Nockells Horlick by Carrington and Co, London 1912

An Interesting Silver Tray Presented to Sir James Nockells Horlick to Mark his Wedding to his First Wife, Miss Flora MacDonald Martin, at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, on the 22^nd of March 1911 by his Fellow Coldstream Guards Officers. This tray was made by Carrington and Co London 1912

Weight: 4652 grams
149.55 Oz

Provenance

Presented to Sir James Horlick and then by family descent

Horlick was son of James Horlick, J.P. And Lord of the Manor of Cowley in Cheltenham. The family had made an enormous fortune through their invention of malted Horlicks milk. “Our” Sir James was awarded the Military Cross by both British and Greek authorities for his bravery in the course of duty in WWI. An article in the Gloucestershire Echo, 3^rd of December 1923, reveals the full extent of Horlick’s impressive military experience.

After his war time exploits he returned to Britain and began a career as chairman of Horlicks Ltd. As well as his London and Gloucestershire homes, Horlick also bought the estates on the Isle of Gigha, off of the west coast of Scotland. Here he famously cultivated extraordinary varieties of rhododendrons and, more famously in antiques circles, formed one of the most important collections of English furniture and related decorative arts of the 20^th century. His collection included masterpieces made by Thomas Chippendale for Harewood House for example and was particularly strong in lacquer and japanned furniture as well as exquisite Chinese mirror paintings made for export.

Horlick was also a very keen, and talented, cricketer and served briefly as an MP amongst his other career interests.

The present tray is a fitting testimonial to a fascinating character who has particular importance in antique collecting circles.