Silver Tea and Coffee Services
Coffee was introduced into this country in the mid 17th century and the first coffee
house was set up in Oxford in 1652. These establishments soon became an important
part of social life. Shortly after its introduction, more than four hundred coffee
houses sprung up in London alone and, by 1675, there were over 3,000 coffee houses
in England. Rather like Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Caffe Nero today!
A George V Silver Four-piece Tea Service, maker Elkington & Co, Birmingham, 1934/35
(FS41/7), which realised £750 in one of our Fine Sales.
The first coffee pot was hallmarked in 1681 and their general design was of tapering
cylindrical or tapering baluster form. Their spouts tended to start half way up
the body of the pot, whereas teapot spouts started towards the base of the body.
Tea was introduced into this country by the Portuguese, Catherine of Braganza married
Charles II and brought tea to the English court where it gained acceptance with
the Aristocracy. It wasn't long before the coffee houses were also offering tea
as a beverage. As there was no established trade with tea growers, it was an extremely
expensive commodity costing between £6 and £10 per pound. Highly prized, tea was
not for the poor and early teapots were small. Equally too, so were tea cups and
teaspoons.
A George V Silver Five-piece Tea and Coffee Service, maker William Aitken, Birmingham,
1911/15 (FS40/33), which sold for £650.
As time went on and the tea trade was established with China, India and Africa,
the price fell and so tea drinking was taken up by the middle and lower classes.
With the drinking of tea and coffee came a whole plethora of accoutrements including
cream or milk jugs, sugar basins (sucrieres), spirit kettles, tea urns, sugar nips
and tongs, caddies and caddy spoons.
Tea and coffee services reflected the different decorative periods and styles, which
lasted well into the middle of the 20th century. With tea being a national obsession,
it is impossible to say just how much silver has gone into the making of pieces
for the preparation, serving and consuming of this beverage.
Specialists
 | Martin McIlroy
Department Head
|