waxantiques

Coffee & Chocolate

Coffee cultivation and trade began on the Arabian Peninsula and by the 15th century coffee was being grown in the Yemeni district of Arabia and by the 16th century it was known in Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey. By the 17th century, coffee had made its way to Europe and was becoming popular across the continent. Coffee houses were quickly becoming centres of social activity and communication in the major European cities and in England “penny universities” sprang up, so called because for the price of a penny one could purchase a cup of coffee and engage in stimulating conversation.

Coffee began to replace the common breakfast drink beverages of the time — beer and wine. Those who drank coffee instead of alcohol began the day alert and energized, and not surprisingly, the quality of their work was greatly improved. (We like to think of this a precursor to the modern office coffee service). By the mid-17th century, there were over 300 coffee houses in London, many of which attracted like-minded patrons, including merchants, shippers, brokers and artists. Many businesses grew out of these specialized coffee houses. Lloyd’s of London, for example, came into existence at the Edward Lloyd’s Coffee House.

Chocolate is a derivative of the cocoa bean which Christopher Columbus encountered on his fourth voyage to the Americas in 1502. It was first introduced to Europe in the early 16th century, its popularity spread, and it became a luxury drink in Britain during the 17th century. The first chocolate house in London opened in 1657.

Coffee and chocolate were established as part of social life by the end of the century and coffee pots can be found from the 1680’s onwards. Initially, these tall form pots (as averse to the squatter teapot shape) were used for both coffee and chocolate however we term chocolate pots to be those with either a removable finial or removable lid for inserting a swizzle stick. We also nominate some early side handled pots as chocolate pots.

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Coffee & Chocolate

Coffee cultivation and trade began on the Arabian Peninsula and by the 15th century coffee was being grown in the Yemeni district of Arabia and by the 16th century it was known in Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey. By the 17th century, coffee had made its way to Europe and was becoming popular across the continent. Coffee houses were quickly becoming centres of social activity and communication in the major European cities and in England “penny universities” sprang up, so called because for the price of a penny one could purchase a cup of coffee and engage in stimulating conversation.

Coffee began to replace the common breakfast drink beverages of the time — beer and wine. Those who drank coffee instead of alcohol began the day alert and energized, and not surprisingly, the quality of their work was greatly improved. (We like to think of this a precursor to the modern office coffee service). By the mid-17th century, there were over 300 coffee houses in London, many of which attracted like-minded patrons, including merchants, shippers, brokers and artists. Many businesses grew out of these specialized coffee houses. Lloyd’s of London, for example, came into existence at the Edward Lloyd’s Coffee House.

Chocolate is a derivative of the cocoa bean which Christopher Columbus encountered on his fourth voyage to the Americas in 1502. It was first introduced to Europe in the early 16th century, its popularity spread, and it became a luxury drink in Britain during the 17th century. The first chocolate house in London opened in 1657.

Coffee and chocolate were established as part of social life by the end of the century and coffee pots can be found from the 1680’s onwards. Initially, these tall form pots (as averse to the squatter teapot shape) were used for both coffee and chocolate however we term chocolate pots to be those with either a removable finial or removable lid for inserting a swizzle stick. We also nominate some early side handled pots as chocolate pots.

  • Circa 1695

     

    8202 Antique William III Miniature Silver Coffee Pot

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    A charming little antique silver toy coffee pot. This beautiful little side handle pot has a cylindrical tapering body, a conical lid surmounted by a ball finial, and a low spout akin to those more usually found on a chocolate pot. Engraved to the upper handle are the owner’s initials “C.P”. The pot looks like an exact copy of a full size original and the great attention to detail and slightly larger size than normal toys of this period indicate that it may well have been a traveller’s sample. Contains 20 ml. Weight 60 grams, 1.9 troy ounces. Height 8 cms. Spread 5 cms. Diameter of base 3.5 cms. Marked on the body with makers mark only “WP”* – noted for making toy cups and porringers (see Jacksons Welsh and Unascribed English Provincial section, page 521). Circa 1695.

  • 1697

     

    9990 William III Antique Silver Cup

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    A very unusual antique silver chocolate cup of tapering form on a small applied foot; the simple “S” scroll handle having a beaded rat-tail decoration. The body has four panels of hand applied matting work. This rare little cup was made for drinking hot chocolate, the newly discovered drinking beverage popular c.1680-1720 – see the coloured illustration. Contains 155ml. Weight 108 grams, 3.4 troy ounces. Height 7.7cm. Diameter of top 7.2cm. Spread across the handle 9cm. London 1697. Maker unknown.

  • 1701

    William Gamble

    8549 William III Silver Chocolate Pot

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    A rare early English antique silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid typical of the period. This can also be used for coffee. Britannia standard silver*. Side handle. Large size and good weight. To the front there is a large hand engraved armorial and crest. A nice feature is the little hinged flap on the end of the spout. Weight 777 grams, 24.9 troy ounces. Height 26 cms. Diameter of top 7 cms, of the base 11.5 cms. Contains 1100 ml. London 1701. Maker William Gamble.

  • 1703

     

    8737 Queen Anne Silver Chocolate Pot

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    A rare early English antique silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid typical of the period. It can also be used for coffee. Britannia standard silver*. Side handle. Large size and good weight. With a plain body the pot has contemporary strapwork mounts and a fluted lid. Particularly nice is the decorative silver mount to the wooden handle and the little hinged flap on the end of the spout. The top has a hinged finial so that the chocolate can be stirred by inserting a swizel stick and the lid is attached to the body with a pin and chain. Contains 900 ml. Weight 735 grams, 23.6 troy ounces. Height 24.5 cms. Base diameter of top 11.1 cms. London 1703. Maker William Lukin.

  • 1704

    John Gibbons

    6796 Queen Anne Silver Chocolate Pot

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    A rare early English antique silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid typical of the period. Britannia standard silver*. Side handle. Large size and good weight. The lid is detachable and is held in place by a pin and chain. The top finial is removable so that the chocolate can be stirred. A nice feature is the little hinged flap on the end of the spout. Weight 612 grams, 19.6 troy ounces. Height 25 cms. Diameter of base 11 cms. Contains 900 ml. London 1704. Maker probably John Gibbons.

  • 1705

    William Lukin

    7891 Queen Anne Silver Coffee Pot on Stand

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    A rare early English antique silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides, side handle and domed lid typical of the period. Britannia standard silver*. Large size and good weight. A nice feature is the little hinged flap on the end of the spout. The matching stand has a turned wooden handle and a fixed integral burner with a detachable wick holder. Weight of coffee pot 769 grams, 24.7 troy ounces, stand 325 grams, 10.4 troy ounces. Height of pot 24 cms, total height 33 cms. Contains 1000 ml. Pot – London 1705. Stand – 1707. Both by maker William Lukin.

  • 1707

    John Barnard

    10295 Queen Anne Antique Silver Chocolate Pot

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    A good early antique silver chocolate pot of tapering cylindrical form, domed lid typical of the period, and an attractive scrolling wooden side handle. The top finial is hinged so that the chocolate can be stirred by inserting a swizzle stick and the cover detaches via a removable pin and chain for cleaning. The spout has a hinged flap. Hand engraved to the front is an armorial for the FITZGERALD family within a decorative cartouche. Contains 950 ml. Weight 608 grams, 19.5 troy oz. Height 24.5cm. Spread 19.5cm. London 1707. John Barnard I. Britannia standard silver*. 18th century.

  • 1711

    Anthony Nelme

    7433 Queen Anne Silver Chocolate Pot

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    A rare early antique silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid typical of the period. Britannia standard silver. Side handle. Large size and good weight. The top has a removable central cover so that the chocolate can be stirred. Weight 902 grams, 29 troy ounces. Height 27 cms. Diameter of base 11 cms. London 1711. Maker Anthony Nelme.

  • 1711

    Anthony Nelme

    9981 Queen Anne Antique Silver Coffee Pot

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    A rare early English antique silver coffee pot of straight tapering form with a domed lid typical of the period. Britannia standard silver*. Side handle. Large size and good weight. Nice plain style with contemporary strapwork mounts and ornate thumb piece. Particularly attractive is the decorative silver mount to the wooden handle and the little hinged flap on the end of the spout. Contains 850 ml. Weight 753 grams, 24.2 troy ounces. Height 25cm. Diameter 6.5cm (top), 10.3cm (base). London 1711. Maker Anthony Nelme.

  • 1715

    Francis Plymley

    9201 Antique George I Silver Octagonal Coffee Pot

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    A rare early antique silver coffee pot (or chocolate pot) with domed lid and wooden side handle. Dates from the first year of George I’s reign. Britannia standard* silver. Lovely plain style with simple reed borders and the straight lined octagonal shape is a very desirable feature. To the front is a hand engraved cartouche containing an armorial. Weight 529 grams, 17 troy ounces. Height 25 cm. Spread 16 cm. London 1715. Maker Francis Plymley.

  • 1715

     

    9751 Antique George I Silver Coffee Pot

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    An early antique silver coffee pot (or chocolate pot) with domed lid and wooden side handle. Dates from the first year of George I’s reign. Britannia standard* silver. Elegant plain style with simple reed borders and the straight lined octagonal shape is a very rare and desirable feature. The decorative strapwork handle supports are also functional as Britannia standard silver is purer and therefore a softer silver. To the front is a stylised monogram in old fashioned script (later engraved). Weight 669 grams, 21.5 troy ounces. Height 24.5 cm. Diameter of base 10.6cm. London 1715. Maker indistinct.

  • 1715

    Richard Bayley

    10409 George I Antique Silver Chocolate Pot

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    A full size early English silver chocolate pot with a domed lid and fruit wood side handle. The top finial is detachable so that the chocolate can be stirred by inserting a swizzle stick. The pot can also be used for serving coffee. Lovely elegant plain style, simple reed borders, and with the desirable octagonal shape. Hand engraved to the front is a beautiful armorial within a cartouche flanked by cherubs and topped with a bowl of fruit. Contains 1000ml. Weight 846 grams, 27.2 troy ounces. Height 25.2cm. Diameter of base 12.3cm. Spread 21.5cm. London 1715. Maker Richard Bayley. Britannia standard silver, high grade 95,8% purity.

  • 1718

    Augustin Courtauld

    8624 George I Silver Coffee Pot

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    This is a rare early antique silver coffee pot from the reign of George I. This handsome pot is made from Britannia standard* grade silver and has the desirable octagonal shape with domed lid. Lovely plain style and a nice feature is the ducks head spout terminal with hinged flap cover. Extremely heavy quality, this pot feels good in the hand and pours beautifully. Contains 870 ml. Weight 1029 grams, 33 troy ounces. Height 23.5 cms. Spread 22 cms. London 1718. Lid with Britannia mark*. Maker Augustus Courtauld, the celebrated Huguenot maker.

  • 1719

    Edward Cornock

    9524 George I Silver Coffee Pot

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    An early English antique silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid typical of the period. Britannia standard silver*. Excellent colour. Shaped wooden side handle. To the front there is a hand engraved armorial within a decorative cartouche. The spout has a hinged cover. Contains 950 ml. Weight 767 grams, 24.6 troy ounces. Height 25 cms. London 1719. Maker Edward Cornock.

  • 1720

    Christopher Canner II

    8389 George I Silver Coffee Pot

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    A fine early antique silver coffee pot with plain styling, domed lid and engraved armorial both sides. Britannia standard silver*. This lovely pot has an excellent colour and good gauge silver. Weight 747 grams, 24 troy ounces. Height 24.5 cms. Spread 19 cms. Diameter of base 12 cms. London 1720. Maker Christopher Canner II.

  • Circa 1720

    David Clayton

    10403 George I Antique Silver Miniature Silver Chocolate Pot

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    A charming little antique silver toy coffee pot with a typical early 1700’s design having tapering sides, straight spout, and a turned wooden side handle. This is an exact copy of a full size original. Weight 17 grams, under 1 troy ounce. Height 5.5cm. Spread 6.5cm. Diameter of base 2.7cm. London circa 1720. Maker David Clayton. Sterling silver.

  • 1721

    Augustin Courtauld

    6635 George I Silver Octagonal Coffee Pot

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    This is a rare early antique silver coffee pot from the reign of George I. This handsome pot is made from Britannia standard* grade silver and has the desirable octagonal shape with domed lid. Lovely plain style and a nice feature is the ducks head spout terminal. Also, to the other side there are 2 decorative shaped reinforcement plates where the shaped handle meets the body. Weight 786 grams, 25.2 troy ounces. Height 25 cms. Spread 21 cms. London 1721. Lid with Britannia mark*. Maker, almost certainly, the celebrated Huguenot maker Augustus Courtauld.

  • 1723

    John Hugh Le Sage

    8627 George I Silver Chocolate Pot

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    A rare early antique silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid typical of the period. Britannia standard silver*. Wooden side handle. Large size and good weight. The top has a removable finial so that the chocolate can be stirred by inserting a swizel stick, the spout has a hinged flap. Hand engraved to the front is an armorial within a decorative cartouche. Contains 940 ml. Weight 762 grams, 24.5 troy ounces. Height 25 cms. Diameter of top 7.5 cms, base 10.7 cms. London 1723. Maker John Hugh Le Sage.

  • 1724

    Thomas Tearle

    9999 George I Antique Silver Chocolate Pot

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    An early English antique sterling silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid typical of the period. Shaped wooden handle and square shaped spout. The top has a removable central cover so that the chocolate can be stirred. Excellent colour. Hand engraved to the front is a well-executed family armorial within a decorative cartouche. Weight 890 grams, 28.6 troy ounces. Height 22cm. Diameter of foot 12cm. London 1724. Maker Thomas Tearle. Sterling silver.

  • 1725

    Edward Feline

    9640 George I Antique Silver Coffee Pot

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    A good plain style antique sterling silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides and a shallow domed lid. An unusual feature is the seven sided panelled spout with straight tapering form. The hand chasing to the lid with classical motifs is typical of the period. Good gauge silver and colour. Contains 750 ml. Weight 743 grams, 23.8 troy ounces. Height 21.5cm. Spread 20cm. London 1725. Maker Edward Feline.

  • 1726

    Joseph Clare

    9728 George I Silver Chocolate Pot

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    An early English antique silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid typical of the period. Shaped wooden handle and square shaped spout. The top has a removable central cover so that the chocolate can be stirred. Excellent colour. Contains 800 ml. Weight 617 grams, 19.8 troy ounces. Height 21cm. London 1726. Maker Joseph Clare. Sterling silver.

  • 1729

    Abraham Buteux

    9304 George II Silver Coffee Pot

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    A good plain style antique sterling silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides and a shallow domed lid. Hand engraved to the front with a horse crest within a scroll cartouche. Good gauge silver and colour. Weight 737 grams, 23.6 troy ounces. Height 20 cm. Spread 18 cm. London 1729. Maker Abraham Buteaux.

  • 1730

    Thomas Farren

    8678 George II Silver Coffee Pot

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    An elegant plain style antique sterling silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides and a domed lid. Large size. To the front is a large hand engraved armorial within a decorative cartouche. Good gauge silver and excellent colour. Contains 1100 ml. Weight 903 grams, 29 troy ounces. Height 24 cms. Spread 20.5 cms. Diameter of base 11.5 cms. London 1730. Maker Thomas Farren.

  • 1732

    Edward Pocock

    9807 George II Silver Coffee Pot

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    A good plain style antique silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid. To the front is an excellent contemporary hand engraved armorial within a decorative cartouche. The underside is inscribed with previous owner’s initials. Good gauge silver and excellent colour. Contains 650 ml. Weight 594 grams, 19 troy ounces. Height 20cm. Spread 19cm. London 1732. Maker Edward Pocock. Sterling silver.

  • 1734

    John Richardson

    9878 George II Silver Coffee Pot

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    A good plain style antique silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides, a shallow domed lid, and a shaped ivory handle. Uninscribed. Good gauge silver and excellent colour. Contains 1050 ml. Weight 917 grams, 29.4 troy ounces. Height 23cm. Spread 21cm. Diameter of base 11.7cm. London 1734. Makers mark “R.I”, mark not in register, possibly John Richardson I. Sterling silver.

  • 1737

    Francis Spilsbury

    9344 George II Silver Chocolate Pot

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    An elegant plain style antique sterling silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and a domed lid. The lid finial is detachable to allow the chocolate to be stirred. Good size. Uninscribed. Good gauge silver and excellent colour. Contains 950 ml. Weight 800 grams, 25.7 troy ounces. Height 22.5 cms. Spread 21 cms. London 1737. Maker Francis Spilsbury.

  • 1738

    Richard Bayley

    9606 George II Silver Coffee Pot

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    A good plain style antique sterling silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid. Hand engraved to the front with an armorial within a decorative cartouche. Good gauge silver and colour. Contains 850 ml. Weight 677 grams, 21.7 troy ounces. Height 21.5 cm. Spread 20.5 cm. London 1738. Maker Richard Bayley.

  • 1741

    Pentecost Symonds

    9010 Antique Exeter Silver Chocolate Pot

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    A good provincial antique sterling silver chocolate pot with straight tapering sides and shaped wooden handle. Nice plain style. Excellent colour. The lid is detachable and is held in place by a pin and chain. The top finial is removable so that the chocolate can be stirred. Contains 780 ml. Weight 623 grams, 20 troy ounces. Height 21.5 cms. Spread 19 cms. Diameter of base 10.8 cms. Exeter 1741. Maker Pentecost Symonds.

  • 1742

    Louis Dupont

    7319 George II Silver Coffee Pot

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    An exceptional quality antique sterling silver coffee pot of baluster shape on pedestal foot. Very beautifully decorated with crisply chased scrolls, flowers, leaves and hatching. On top there is a pretty cast flower finial. Contains 900 ml. Weight 944 grams, 30.3 troy ounces. Height 25 cms. Spread 21 cms. London 1742. Maker Louis Dupont.

  • 1748

    Thomas Gilpin

    9478 George II Silver Coffee Pot

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    A handsome antique sterling silver coffee pot of semi-shaped form raised on a shallow pedestal foot. Acorn finial. Elegant plain design and graceful shaped spout. To the front there is a hand engraved crest within a decorative oval cartouche. Uninscribed. Contains 850 ml. Weight 688 grams, 22.1 troy ounces. Height 23.5cm. Spread across spout and handle 21cm. London 1748. Maker Thomas Gilpin.

  • 1749

    Robert Tyrr II

    6384 George II Silver Coffee Pot

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    A good antique sterling silver coffee pot with tapering sides and spreading foot. Good plain design and ivory handle. To the front there is an engraved armorial. Weight 796 grams. 25.5 troy ounces. Contains 1000 ml. Height 25 cms. Spread 20 cms. Diameter of base 10.25 cms. London 1749. Maker Robert Tyrr II.

  • 1749

     

    7448 George II Silver Chocolate Pot

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    A handsome antique sterling silver chocolate pot of baluster form on a spreading foot. The top finial can be removed (to stir the chocolate). Excellent quality original chased decoration with scrolls, fish scale, shells and sprays of flowers. An unusual feature is the eagle above the vacant cartouche to both front and back. Contains 1000 ml. Weight 905 grams, 29 troy ounces. Height 25 cms. Spread 20 cms. London 1749. Maker Richard Bayley.

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