Pair Regency Sheffield fused plate warming dishes circa 1825 lion's-mask and foliate handle atop rectangular cover, on conforming entree dish and hot water stand, raised on acanthus and scroll feet; cover with crest and motto: ICH DIEN, ROYAL, FUSILIERS, WELCH. H9 1/2" W13" D8 1/2"

Provenance : The Royal Welch Fusiliers was a regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. It was founded in 1689 to oppose James II and the imminent war with France. The regiment was numbered as the 23rd Regiment of Foot, though it was one of the first regiments to be granted the honor of a fusilier title and so was known as The Welch Regiment of Fusiliers from 1702. The "Royal" accolade was earned fighting in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1713. It is one of the oldest regiments in the regular army, hence the archaic spelling of the word Welch instead of Welsh. In the Boer War and throughout World War I, the army officially called the regiment "The Royal Welsh Fusiliers" but the archaic "Welch" was officially restored to the Regiment's title in 1920 under Army Order No.56. During those decades, the regiment itself unofficially used the "Welch" form. As of 2004, it was one of five line infantry regiments never to have been amalgamated in its entire history.