This exceptional antique Victorian six piece sterling silver tea service / set consists of a spirit kettle, teapot, coffee pot, cream jug, sugar bowl and tea caddy.
The pieces of this antique tea and coffee set have a circular baluster shaped form.
This set benefits from a matching oval cylindrical tea caddy; often with time such a piece would be detached from a service.
The surface of each piece is embellished with alternating horizontal panels of impressive chased simplified trellis patterns, leaf motifs and rosette designs.
The upper rim of each piece is encompassed with an applied moulded decorated border.
The spirit kettle, teapot, coffee pot and tea caddy retain the original hinged hallmarked covers, which feature a continuation of the aforementioned chased decoration.
Each teaware cover retains the original cast sterling silver finial.
The centre of the tea caddy cover incorporates an oval cartouche ornamented with a bright cut engraved coronet and monogram initials.
The teapot and coffee pot are fitted with the original hallmarked cast sterling silver handles, embellished with chased ornamentation and plain scrolling thumbpieces.
The spirit kettle is fitted with a large scrolling cast sterling silver handle, ornamented with scrolling leaf designs and impressive scrolling sockets.
The fine and impressive kettle is supported on the original cast hallmarked detachable three-legged stand fitted with a locking pin and security chain.
The stand is ornamented with further chased patterns, accented with scrolling leaf leg brackets to three tapering, scrolling legs and leaf decorated feet.
The detachable hallmarked spirit burner is plain and unembellished, with an applied border.
The spirit kettle, coffee pot and teapot have cast sterling silver swan necked spouts, each ornamented with panels of scrolling leaf and floral decoration to either side.
The cream jug and sugar bowl are fitted with sterling silver C shaped handles, reflecting the design of those to the teapot and coffee pot.
The tea caddy, cream jug and sugar bowl retain the original gilt interiors.
The underside of the tea kettle features the retailer's mark 'Hunt Roskell Late Storr & Mortimer' and the registration number '4852'.
This exceptional Victorian tea and coffee set was were made by the London silversmiths John Hunt & Robert Roskell and John Samuel Hunt between 1864 and 1868, whereas the tea caddy was crafted in 1875 by Henry William Dee.
Maker: Various Makers
Date: 1864 - 1875
