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A superb Worcester Flight Barr Barr plate. Brightly painted with a green ground, with a central reserve, the Crest of SPARKE or SPARKES. "Out of a Ducal Coronet, a demi-panther rampant, gardant, arg. Spotted of various colours, fire issuing from the ears and mouth, ppr."

Armorial porcelain.
Descended from John Sparke of Plymouth. Friend of Sir Walter Raleigh, credited as the true discoverer of tobacco and potatoes and originator of the term "crocodile tears".

Probably made for Bowyer-Edward Sparke (1759-1836), D.D,FRS, Lord Bishop of Ely Cathedral & Bishop of Chester, Scholar and fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge, Tutor to the Duke of Rutland.

He amassed a fortune and purchased West Lodge(Hall) Byfleet, Surrey. He also lived at Gunthorpe Hall, Norfolk which was owned by successive generations of the family until the 1970's.

He was known to be generous, especially to family and it was said the road to Ely was lit by Sparkes. He paid for a great deal of new leaded glass for the Cathedral and doubled the size of one of his churches.

Condition: Excellent, minor regilding.
Measurements: 8.75 Inches Wide (22cm)

See FAIRBURNS 1905 PAGE 515.

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• Worcester Flight Barr Barr Plate Armorial Porcelain SPARKE Sparkes West Lodge Hall Family Coat Arms Crest