Joseph Addison (1672-1719), essayist, poet and statesman, received a classical education at Queen's College, Oxford. His literary reputation spread to London where his personal popularity attracted political patronage. In 1710 he was elected Member of Parliament for Malesbury, an office which he held until his death. In 1711 he bought the estate of Bilton in Warwickshire and five years later married the Countess of Warwick and it was this alliance that probably facilitated his offical elevation as Secretary of State in 1717. With his friend Richard Steele, he began The Spectator, a daily commentary on the news and manners of society, contributing regular articles to it and also to The Tatler.

When originally offered for sale in the celebrated Howe sale of 1953 both vases bore the maker's mark TI, probably for Thomas Issod and London hallmarks for 1682. Shortly after the sale they were examined by the Antique Plate Committee at Goldsmiths' Hall where it was decided that they contravened the hallmarking laws. All marks were subsequently removed. However from the engraved decoration still evident on the rim of each cover it would appear that both vases have been made using old silver which was a reasonably common practice in the 17th century.