Description

An extremely rare collector’s item dating to the early 1700’s. This unique little silver tea box of cube form has a hinged lid with octagonal finial. The hand applied matted work is very specific to the 1680-90 period. The small size is due to the rarity of tea at this early date.

Weight 203g, 6.5 troy oz.
Height 9cm (finial), 7cm (box top). Top measures 6.3cm square.
London 1704.
Maker Thomas Parr I.
Britannia standard silver.

Marks. Stamped on the lower body rim with a full set of English silver hallmarks, the lid with the lion and maker mark, there is also a small control mark on the front centre. The maker’s mark is only partially stamped but is clearly for Thomas Parr I – see Grimwade’s “London Silver Marks” page 154.

Literature. Although drinking tea became fashionable in England during the 17th century very few silver containers made specifically for tea survive from that period. A similar example, but with a cannister top, is on view at the Ashmolean museum (catalogued by Tim Schroder), dating from c.1680-1690.

This little box is in remarkably fine condition with crisp, clean lines. It shows moderate signs of wear commensurate with age and some minor surface scratching.

Maker: Thomas Parr

Thomas Parr I, London silversmith, apprenticed to Simon Noy 1687, free 1694. Livery 1712. 1st mark entered as largeworker undated, probably 1697. 2nd mark 1717. Livery 1712. Died c.1728 when his widow Sarah entered her own mark. Thomas Parr II, son of Thomas Parr II, free by patrimony 1733. 1st mark entered 1733, 2nd and 3rd marks 1739. Livery 1750. Court 1735. Warden 1771-3.

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