Antique Silverplate Holborn Restaurant London Charger

In the first Sherlock Holmes story, Watson - tired, slightly worn down by his wartime adventures, without family in England, working with a pension income of slightly over £200 per year which he had been awarded upon invaliding out of the army, realized he, “Must either leave the metropolis and rusticate somewhere in the country,” or else find himself a flatmate. The day he made this realization he also delightedly encountered his old friend Stamford whom he asked to lunch with him at London's The Holborn Restaurant.

In the course of that lunch of swapping stories and recounting memories, Stamford made Watson aware of an eccentric acquaintance who could be the solution to his search, and so one of the great pairings of English literature came to be.

It is not at all surprising that Watson would go to The Holborn Restaurant for a celebratory meal. Once located at 129 Kingsway in London, The Holborn was  a stylish favorite whose main dining room was its Grand Salon featuring soaring columns supporting a lavishly decorated vaulted and coffered ceiling, potted palms, service provided by waiters in formal dress, and entertainment provided by an in-house orchestra.

It was a festive place filled with smoking, drinking, and dining, with a smaller Ladies’ Grill Room where ladies could dine apart with their friends. It was a place to see, and to be seen, that was, sadly, demolished in 1955.

Made exclusively for The Holborn Restaurant by Britain's prestigious Mappin & Webb silversmiths, this heavy serving or charger plate once graced the tables of this storied, now-vanished fixture of London's dining scene. Acquired at auction in London, and stamped with The Holborn's regal crest, this gleaming charger will be a beloved addition to your silver collection, serving you well at your next soirée...or, like Watson, at lunch with an old friend!

Strictly limited quantities (at listing, a total of 3 chargers are available) and subject to prior sale. In good condition with slight dings here and there and the cut marks on the top surface of each charger from a century of use. Please see alternate images for condition details. 11" in diameter.