Modern Silver Tea Ware
Martin McIlroy, Head of the Silver Department, reviews some of the impressive modern
silverware being offered for auction in the upcoming three day Fine Sale on 29th/30th/31st
January 2013 in Exeter that relates to a great British obsession...
An Elizabeth II five-piece tea and coffee service, which is being offered in our
three day fine sale at the end of January 2013. (FS17/231).
Possibly the two most impressive lots due to be auctioned in the Silver section
of our
three day fine art auction
are not the oldest. They both relate to that great British obsession of tea drinking
and all the paraphernalia that goes into making a good cup of tea.
The first is a large
Edward VII rectangular tea or serving tray, decorated with scrolls and foliage, with
a gadrooned border. The tray measures 81cm wide and weighs 166.10 troy ozs. It was
made by the renowned Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co and assayed in London
in 1904, the estimate is £2,800-£3,200.
An Edward VII rectangular tea or serving tray, made by the Goldsmiths and Silversmith
Co and assayed in London in 1904. (FS17/231a).
The second lot is more modern than the first, but this wonderful
Elizabeth II five-piece
tea and coffee service
would sit well on the tray. The service made by another top company, that of Garrard
& Co and was assayed in Birmingham in 1956. The service is of lobed
form with scroll and acanthus leaf decoration, it weighs a total of 97.23 troy
ozs and is estimated at £1,500-£1,800.
An Edward VII Casket with an Arts and Craft Influence, which could admirably serve
as a useful tea caddy. (FS17/202).
Not directly related to tea but could make a useful tea caddy is
an Edward VII Arts
and Craft influence casket
with strapwork hinges and beaten panelled sides on swept feet. The makers were John
Thomas Heath and John Hartshorne Middleton and it was assayed
in London in 1901. It weighs 18.62 troy ozs and is estimated at £200-£300.
This brings us back to tea and not only one of the greatest exporters, but the most
influential current collectors market is China. Lot 211 is a
Chinese silver tea
kettle stand and burner. Decorated with traditional
designs of dragons, birds and flowers, the frame is designed to look like bamboo
shoots. It was produced by Hung Chong who worked both in Shanghai and Canton
in the late 19th / early 20th century. It weighs 42.37 troy ozs and carries an estimate
of £1,000-£1,500.
A Hung Chong Chinese silver tea kettle and burner, being offered by South West auctioneers
Bearnes Hampton & Littlwood in Exeter as part of a three day fine sale. (FS17/211).
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood
- Fine Art Auction
- Silver and Silverware
- Goldsmiths abd Silversmiths Co
- Garrard & Co
- John Thomas Heath
- John Hartshorne Middleton
- Hung Chong
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