Description
This magnificent antique silver tea set, in sterling standard, consists of a coffee pot with spirit burner, teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl.
The George IV teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl have a compressed circular rounded form onto a domed circular spreading foot; the coffee pot has a circular baluster shaped form.
The surface of each piece is embellished with exceptional embossed and chased floral ornamentation flanked to the upper and lower portions with scrolling leaf designs.
The aforementioned decoration to each exceptional example of antique teaware incorporates a scroll bordered cartouche to either side; each cartouche is embellished with two contemporary bright cut engraved crests* of a highland soldier wielding a sword beneath the motto 'Non sine periculo' - Not without danger and a dexter arm holding a garlance of laurel beneath the motto 'Virtue et valore' - By virtue and valour.
The body of each piece is further ornamented with a scale motif and matte texture, in addition to an undulating leaf decorated border in a swirl design to the upper portion.
The collet style upper rim of each component is encircled with an applied floral and foliate decorated border.
The teapot and coffee pot are fitted with flush hinged hallmarked covers surmounted with exceptional cast hallmarked sterling silver pomegranate style finials accented with stemmed foliate designs; the flush hinge indicates the high quality of the service.
The central domed portion of each cover is further ornamented with chased floral decoration, reflecting that of the bodies.
The teapot and coffee pot are fitted with exceptional sterling silver handles ornamented with further embossed and chased floral and foliate ornamentation on a matte background; the cream jug and sugar bowl are fitted with scrolling handles accented with single leaf designs to the handpieces.
The coffee pot and teapot are fitted with exceptional swan necked spouts, ornamented with a continuation of floral and foliate decoration from the body; the socket of each spout is encompassed with an undulating leaf decorated border in a swirl design in junction with the body.
The foot of each component is encircled with an identical border to that of the aforementioned upper rim.
The coffee pot is supported on the original circular hallmarked cast sterling silver stand which incorporates a plain scrolling frame which accommodates the original, hallmarked spirit burner; this stand is a highly desirable feature.
The rims of the stand and spirit burner are encircled with a simplified scrolling leaf decorated order, complimenting the ornamentation to the coffee pot.
This impressive stand is supported by three impressive cast scrolling leaf decorated legs, terminating with large tiered foliate style feet.
The detachable spirit burner is encircled with chased floral and foliate decoration on a matte background.
The interior of the cream jug and sugar bowl retain the original gilding.
This magnificent sterling silver tea set is the finest of its type you could hope to acquire.
This English antique silver tea set is a segment of a more extensive table/tea service, which through time has been divided.
* Both these crests can be associated to the Mackenzie family.
Learn more about the history of antique silver tea services
