Edwardian 3 piece silver tea set  -  Birmingham 1908/1909  Heavy gauge silver   37ozt

Antique Edwardian tea service made in Regency style.  The baluster bodies of the 3 pieces are rectangular in shape, with a half fluted design of unusual style, being alternate convex and concave fluting.

The applied gadroon borders are generous in size and weight and maintain the convex/concave style of fluting.  The continuity of the gadroon borders is broken at each corner with a simple foliate cast design.

The rectangular tea pot lid has a rectangular domed centre with the same fluting as mentioned.  The solid bases of the 3 pieces are slightly stepped.

The angular silver handles to the sugar basin and cream jug are a particular design feature;  the design seems to herald the coming of     Art Deco which reached its zenith 20 years later.  The teapot handle and knob are made to represent ebony.

The insides of creamer and sugar basin are gilded.  Each of the 3 pieces has an engraved crest of a 'mailed arm and hand holding a dagger'.  This is understood to belong to an Irish family as the silver tea set came from an Irish country house.

The teapot was manufactured by leading Birmingham silversmith, William Aitken of Vyse Street, Birmingham;  and is dated for 1909.  By contrast the sugar basin and creamer are stamped WGK for William Keight, another Birmingham silversmith of high quality, with the date for 1908.

Just why this should be I cannot say.  All 3 pieces match absolutely exactly in every way.  Without the hallmark information it would be readily assumed that that the tea set came from the same source.

I do not think that this lessens the excellence  of the tea service in any way.  I believe that it gives the pieces added interest, though purists may disagree. The silver is very heavy gauge, the sugar basin itself weighing over 10ozt.

CONDITION:  First class.  There are no dents, scratches or repairs.  All the hallmarks are very clear.  The lightly engraved crests are all clear and not rubbed, and the standard of engraving is very detailed and outstanding.

Weights:     Teapot incl. handle    20.76ozt   (645.7gms)

                    Sugar basin                10.08ozt    (313.5gms)

                    Creamer                       5.98ozt    (186.1gms)    Total weight  =  36.82 ozt   (1145.3gms)

Dimensions:   Teapot                   28.5cms  L.    12.5cms  Wth.     15cms Ht.

                         Sugar basin           18.5cm   L      10.5cms  wth.      10cms Ht

                         Creamer                 13cms    L       8.0cms   wth.       9cms  Ht

494/850

               This splendid and highly desirable 3 piece Silver Tea Service is brought to you by

                                                           MYNSTER ANTIQUES

POSTAGE ARRANGEMENT:  HIGH END ITEMS ARE DISPATCHED ROYAL MAIL GUARANTEED NEXT DAY DELIVERY.  TRACKED AND TO BE SIGNED FOR. ITEMS ARE FULLY INSURED.