Paul de Lamerie is not only regarded as the greatest silversmith but also as one of the most important craftsman of all time. This outstanding silver soup tureen stands as a shining example of this artisan's famed skill, formed in the elaborate Rococo style of which de Lamerie was a master. It is decorated with the crest of Trinity College in Dublin, signifying that it was made by special commission for that renowned hall of learning. Similar tureens were made for Eton and Brasenose Colleges in England. Through every stylistic nuance exhibited in this tureen, it is clear to see why de Lamerie's works are considered the finest English silver ever created. An almost identical tureen is pictured in English Silver by Joseph R. Bliss.