The centres of the dishes are repoussé and chased with the Royal Crown and Rose flanked by the initials I.R. for James II, on a matted ground within a laurel wreath border.
The flat rim is chased with scrolling acanthus foliage and flowers on a matted ground, diameter 58.4cm.
The maker’s mark F.L. appears above a bird.
The cyphers of James II would have been added to the dishes at the time of his Coronation.
These dishes were the Royal gift as fee for the role of John, 5th Earl of Exeter (1648-1700), as Grand Almoner at the coronation of King James II.
The Lord Chamberlain’s accounts at the PRO contain: ‘May ye 13, 1685. Deliver’d to ye Earl of Exeter as Chief Almoner at his Majs Coronation two gilt chas’d basons for his fees. pair 312.0.0.’
The backs were later applied with hanging loops by R. Garrard, 1874.
