waxantiques

Tea Accessories

Browse our collection of antique silver Tea Caddy Spoons, Teapot Stands, Tea Strainers, Spoon Trays etc. After tea was first introduced into England in the late 17th century women adopted the drink for their social gatherings and served tea after dinner. It was also an occasion to demonstrate wealth and good taste by showing off their complement of silver teawares. “Afternoon tea” in Great Britain was established by the seventh Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century. At that time, lunch was taken early and supper very late so the duchess made a habit of taking tea in the afternoon between three and four o’clock together with a light meal. Nowadays, the popular English tea tradition can still be enjoyed with an enchanting array of antique sterling silver accessories.

Tea Caddy Spoons, for measuring out tea leaves, were made from 1780 onwards. Many can be found in novelty shapes such as the collectible jockey cap.

Teapot Stands. Many flat based teapots were found to scorch the tea table so separate teapot stands were made in order to avoid this.

Tea Strainers became popular in the 20th century and are used to filter tea leaves when pouring tea. During the 18th century orange and lemon strainers were popular accessories for punch and they have become popular recently as tea strainers, although they are generally larger than the ones made nowadays.

The Tea Infuser is a device in which loose, dried tea leaves are placed for steeping or brewing, in a cup or teapot full of hot water; it is often called a teaball or tea maker, and sometimes a tea egg.

Spoon trays. Tea drinking became fashionable during the first half of the 18th century and part of the hostess’s tea silver would have been a spoon tray. On this would have been placed a teaspoon and a mote spoon (for straining tea leaves). These spoons were made by specialist flatware makers and are never found with these trays.

Toast racks are not known until the late 18th century. Prior to this toast must have been served on a dish or maybe wrapped in a napkin. Some of the earliest designs have oval or oblong tray bases.

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Tea Accessories

Browse our collection of antique silver Tea Caddy Spoons, Teapot Stands, Tea Strainers, Spoon Trays etc. After tea was first introduced into England in the late 17th century women adopted the drink for their social gatherings and served tea after dinner. It was also an occasion to demonstrate wealth and good taste by showing off their complement of silver teawares. “Afternoon tea” in Great Britain was established by the seventh Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century. At that time, lunch was taken early and supper very late so the duchess made a habit of taking tea in the afternoon between three and four o’clock together with a light meal. Nowadays, the popular English tea tradition can still be enjoyed with an enchanting array of antique sterling silver accessories.

Tea Caddy Spoons, for measuring out tea leaves, were made from 1780 onwards. Many can be found in novelty shapes such as the collectible jockey cap.

Teapot Stands. Many flat based teapots were found to scorch the tea table so separate teapot stands were made in order to avoid this.

Tea Strainers became popular in the 20th century and are used to filter tea leaves when pouring tea. During the 18th century orange and lemon strainers were popular accessories for punch and they have become popular recently as tea strainers, although they are generally larger than the ones made nowadays.

The Tea Infuser is a device in which loose, dried tea leaves are placed for steeping or brewing, in a cup or teapot full of hot water; it is often called a teaball or tea maker, and sometimes a tea egg.

Spoon trays. Tea drinking became fashionable during the first half of the 18th century and part of the hostess’s tea silver would have been a spoon tray. On this would have been placed a teaspoon and a mote spoon (for straining tea leaves). These spoons were made by specialist flatware makers and are never found with these trays.

Toast racks are not known until the late 18th century. Prior to this toast must have been served on a dish or maybe wrapped in a napkin. Some of the earliest designs have oval or oblong tray bases.

  • 1697

     

    9990 William III Antique Silver Cup

    £4,750

    A very unusual antique sterling silver 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. Originally this would have been either a small mug or toddy cup for alcoholic beverages or possibly a cup for drinking tea or chocolate. 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.

  • 1722

    John Albright

    9942 George I Antique Silver Strainer

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    A rare early English antique sterling silver strainer of circular form with decorative side handles. A very charming and useful size; although originally made as a lemon strainer this could be used nowadays as a tea strainer. The bowl is pierced with a design of scrolls and other motifs and contemporary owner’s initials are engraved to one handle. Weight 75 grams, 2.4 troy oz. Spread 16.8cm. Diameter 8.5cm. Height 2.9cm. London 1722. Maker John Albright. Sterling silver

  • 1785

    Hester Bateman

    10280 George III Antique Silver Teaspoons

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    A good set of 6 antique sterling silver spoons, in the Hanoverian pattern, by the sought after lady silversmith Hester Bateman. Total weight 59 grams, just under 2 troy ounces. Length 11.5cm. London 1785. Sterling silver. 18th century.

  • Circa 1800

    Joseph Taylor

    9856 George III Silver Caddy Spoon

    £235

    A charming little antique silver spoon with wire scroll handle, the bowl fashioned as a leaf. Weight 8 grams. Length 7cm. Width 3cm. Lion mark only. This type of spoon was generally made in Birmingham. Maker probably Joseph Taylor. Circa 1800.

  • 1836

     

    9547 Antique Silver Caddy Spoon

    £225

    A pretty little antique silver caddy spoon with a square fluted bowl and shaped handle. Pretty bright cut engraved decoration. Weight 7 grams. Length 8 cms. Birmingham 1887. Maker James Collins.

  • 1845

    Joseph Angell

    9814 Victorian Silver Toast Rack

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    A well modelled antique silver toastrack of classic design with a shaped handle and face mask decorated feet. Good size and weight. 6 slices. Weight 275 grams, 8.8 troy ounces. Height 15cm. Length 17cm. Width 11.2cm. London 1845. Maker Joseph Angell. Sterling silver.

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  • 1810 - 1811

    John Mewburn

    10258 George III Antique Silver Salts

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    A fine pair of antique sterling silver salt dishes formed as scallop shells mounted on naturalistic turtle shell bases. Heavy cast gilt silver. The detailed workmanship on these is quite exceptional. Each is hand engraved to the front with a bird crest. Weight 555 grams, 17.8 troy ounces. Height 8.5/4.7cm. Width 10.5cm. London 1810/11. Maker John Mewburn. Sterling silver. 19th century.

  • 1631

     

    10256 Charles I Antique Silver Cup

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    A superb early English silver wine cup of very plain form with a cast baluster stem and spreading foot. This large goblet has an excellent patina, good weight, and sits very well in the hand. To the front is a well-executed armorial for Dr Thomas Eden, hand engraved, the style is typical of the Charles I period with the shield within a laurel-wreath. This is an outstanding piece of antique silver in every way. Contains 430 ml. Weight 326 grams, 10.4 troy ounces. Height 19.8cm. Diameter 9.2cm (top), 9cm (foot). London 1631. Maker “HM”. Sterling silver. 17th century.

  • 1768

    William Grundy

    9476 George III Silver Sugar Vases

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    A fine pair of antique sterling silver sugar casters with side handles. Plain style with gadroon borders. To the front each has a hand engraved armorial with a boar crest. Weight 951 grams, 30.5 troy ounces. Height 25cm (caster), 17.5cm (vase). London 1768. Maker William Grundy.

  • Circa 1829

    Joseph Rodgers

    9089 Georgian Silver Knives

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    A full set of antique Georgian knives with sterling silver handles and stainless steel blades. Pistol handle style. 12 dinner knives length 24.3cm and 12 dessert knives length 20.8cm. Each has a hand engraved crest of a ‘hand’ to the front side. Maker John Rogers, the prestigious Sheffield cutlers company. Circa 1829.

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