Teapots
Tea originated in China as a medicinal drink over 2,000 years ago and was introduced into Europe during the 16th century by Portuguese priests and merchants. Drinking tea became fashionable in England during the 17th century and in time led to the English starting large-scale production and commercialization of the plant in India. At home, the English drank tea rather than coffee. 19th century inventories show that families owned twice as many teawares as coffee utensils. Women adopted the drink for their social gatherings and served tea after dinner. It was also an occasion to demonstrate wealth and good taste, and teawares were as responsive to changing fashion as dress and interior decoration.
Early teapots were of small capacity because of the rarity of tea. Although there are a few 17th century teapots in existence, there is little likelihood of finding one dating before 1710. The earlier the teapot the smaller they tend to be as tea was a very expensive commodity until the middle of the reign of George I
Teapots
Tea originated in China as a medicinal drink over 2,000 years ago and was introduced into Europe during the 16th century by Portuguese priests and merchants. Drinking tea became fashionable in England during the 17th century and in time led to the English starting large-scale production and commercialization of the plant in India. At home, the English drank tea rather than coffee. 19th century inventories show that families owned twice as many teawares as coffee utensils. Women adopted the drink for their social gatherings and served tea after dinner. It was also an occasion to demonstrate wealth and good taste, and teawares were as responsive to changing fashion as dress and interior decoration.
Early teapots were of small capacity because of the rarity of tea. Although there are a few 17th century teapots in existence, there is little likelihood of finding one dating before 1710. The earlier the teapot the smaller they tend to be as tea was a very expensive commodity until the middle of the reign of George I
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1719
Richard Bayley
9137 George I Silver Teapot
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A rare early English silver teapot of simple plain form. Britannia standard silver*. Pear shaped with domed hinged cover and original wooden handle. Hand engraved to the front is a coat of arms – argent, six Lions rampant, sable – within an incised shield, possibly for the Savage family. Early teapots were of small capacity because of the rarity of tea. Contains 570 ml. Weight 425 grams, 13.6 troy ounces. Height 14 cm. Spread 19 cm. London 1719. Maker Richard Bayley.
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1735
Thomas Mason
10136 George II Antique Silver Teapot
£3,950
An excellent quality antique silver bullet shaped teapot. Lovely plain form with an octagonal panelled spout and wooden handle. The bullet shaped teapot is probably one of the better known types of the George II period and the lid of this one has a cleverly concealed flush hinge which is difficult to distinguish as the engraver has continued the decoration over this area. To the front is a finely engraved cartouche containing the initial “F” in old fashioned cursive script. Contains 450ml. Weight 445 grams, 14.3 troy ounces. Height 11cm. Spread 20cm. London 1735. Maker Thomas Mason.
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1737
Willem Van Strant
10116 Antique Dutch Silver Miniature Teapot
£1,250
A Dutch silver toy teapot of pear shaped form with swing handle and detachable lid. Very good condition. Excellent patina. Weight 45 grams, 1.5 troy ounces. Height 5.5cm (to top of handle), 4.4cm (to top of knob). Made in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Date mark “C” for 1737. Maker Willem Van Strant.
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1739
James Manners
10168 George II Antique Silver Teapot
£4,750
A good example of early English teawares. A rare antique silver bullet shaped teapot of plain simple form with a shaped panelled spout and wooden handle. Excellent small size. The bullet shaped teapot is probably one of the better known types of the George II period and the lid of this one has a good quality flush hinge. Contains 550ml. Total weight 440 grams, 14.2 troy ounces. Height 12.2cm. Spread 21.70cm. London 1739. Maker James Manners.
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Circa 1749
David Hennell
8976 George II Antique Silver Teapot
£2,250
An early English sterling silver teapot of globular form. Early teapots were of small capacity because of the rarity of tea. Lovely plain shape with a straight spout and engraved decoration to the upper body. An attractive feature is the blobby mercury solder underneath which is completely original in the manufacture. Generally speaking bullet teapots were only made during the George II period. Weight 372 grams, 11.9 troy ounces. Height 12.5 cms (to top of handle). Spread 20.5 cms. London 1749. Maker David Hennell I.
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1775
Charles Wright
9544 George III Silver Drum Teapot
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An antique sterling silver teapot of circular form with a pull off lid. Drum teapots are very desirable and are usually found between 1760 and 1780. Lovely plain styling with bright cut engraved and dot pricked bands with flower head motifs. To the front is a finely engraved crest within a decorate cartouche. Contains 700 ml. Weight 514 grams, 16.5 troy ounces. Height 13cm. Spread 23.5cm. Diameter 10.5cm. London 1775. Maker Charles Wright.
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Circa 1840
Luigi Sciolet
10224 Italian Antique Silver Pot
£2,250
A curious little silver container in the form of a small teapot with a serpent spout and handle, four heavy cast eagle feet, and the lid finial modelled as a swan. 19th century. Fantastic decorative quality and heavy gauge silver. Likely to be an oil dispenser (oliera), possibly to fill something like a kettle spirit lamp. Contains 320ml. Weight 519 grams, 16.6 troy ounces. Length 18.5cm from spout to handle. Rome, Italy. Maker Luigi Sciolet. Circa 1840.
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1882
William Hutton
8490 Antique Silver Teapot
£585
A dainty antique sterling silver teapot on pedestal foot. Small size. Attractive fluted design with a wide embossed frieze of scroll decoration. Contains 400 ml. Weight 282 grams, 9 troy ounces. Height 13.5 cms. Spread 18.5 cms. Sheffield 1882. Maker William Hutton & Son.
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