Description

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.

Literature: *Britannia Standard. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia (or Hibernia)” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.

This useful coffee pot is in very good condition with no damage or restoration. With a full set of clear English silver hallmarks on the underneath, lid with the Britannia mark. Excellent colour. This pot has been tested for water retention and does not leak. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Maker: Augustin Courtauld

Augustin Courtauld 1685/86 - 1751. The young Augustin came to England from France during the persecution of the Hugeunot Protestants in 1696, and in 1701, he was apprenticed to the prominent Huguenot silversmith Simon Pantin to whom Augustin’s half-brother Peter (1689/90–1729) was also apprenticed. Free of the Goldsmiths’ Company by service in 1708, Augustin entered his first mark (Britannia) as largeworker later that year. Subsequent marks – 2nd (Sterling) in 1729, 3rd 1739. Augustin, the patriarch of a numerous and prestigious silversmithing family, married Anne Bardin in 1709 and of their many children Anne married John Jacob in 1738 and Samuel I (1720–1765) was apprenticed to his father in 1734, free 1747. Augustin’s will left to Samuel I all his trade utensils and patterns. Augustin established a reputation for producing exceptional domestic silver of heavy gauge and fine quality. He was head of a successful, prolific and renowned family of Silversmith’s, prominent members of the Huguenot community who contributed notably to the arts and skilled crafts, commercial enterprise and public life in eighteenth century England. He produced many fine two-handled cups, vessels for tea, coffee and chocolate and decoratively bordered trays and salvers. Many of his works are held in private collections, notably in the Courtauld Institute Gallery. Other works include a centrepiece made for the Russian court and the State Salt of the City of London.

Customer satisfaction is our primary concern

All silverware on our website is checked thoroughly prior to offering it for sale and every product listing contains a condition report and details of the silver hallmarks.

All items offered on our website include:

• Free Shipping Worldwide
• Tracked and Insured
• 14 day no quibble money back guarantee
• We are accredited members of LAPADA and conform to their strict professional standards
• We dispatch 1-3 days after receiving cleared payments

More detailed information about deliveries, returns and how to pay is available in the Help section at the bottom of this page.