This fine antique Victorian sterling silver three piece tea set consists of a teapot, sugar bowl and cream jug.

Each piece has an inverted pear shaped form on to a domed spreading foot.

The upper portion of each piece is embellished with a broad band of bright cut engraved interlacing scroll and leaf decoration accented with stylised shell designs.

The decoration to the body of each component incorporates two shaped, scroll decorated cartouches: one of which is vacant, the other displaying a bright cut engraved crest of a talbot*.

The teapot is fitted with a hinged domed cover encircled with a band of bright cut engraved strapwork style decoration.

The cover retains the original and impressive, hallmarked cast sterling silver stemmed floral finial.

The fine teapot spout is ornamented with concave fluted decoration to the lower portion in addition to scrolling leaf designs extending up to the lip.

The teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl are all fitted with impressive C scroll handles ornamented with acanthus leaf decorated thumbpieces.

The cream jug and sugar bowl retain their original gilded interiors.

* In heraldic terms, a talbot refers to a good-mannered hunting dog

Condition

This Victorian silver tea service is a very good gauge of silver, fine quality and in excellent presentation condition.

Full hallmarks struck to the base of the teapot, and surface of the cream jug and sugar bowl are all very clear.

Part hallmarks struck as expected, to the finial and interior of the cover are also very clear.

Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of these fine examples of Victorian silverware.

Dimensions

Teapot

Length from back of handle to tip of spout 23.2cm/9.1"

Diameter of body 12.6cm/5"

Height to top of finial 17cm/6.7"

Sugar Bowl

Length across handles 18.5cm/7.25"

Diameter of body 11.6cm/4.6"

Height to top of handle 15.7cm/6.25"

Cream Jug

Length from back of handle to lip 14.5cm/5.7"

Diameter of body 9cm/3.5"

Height 15.5cm/6.1"

Total Weight

36 troy ounces/1120g

Maker: Charles Gordon

Origin: London, England

Date: 1838 / 1840