Description

A magnificent example of English rococo silver. An antique sterling silver samovar of inverted baluster form with a folding raffia finish handle, the silver lid finial cast in the form of a little merman drinking from a shell, the curved spout finishing in the form of a bird. Superb quality deep chased decoration with shells, flowers and swirls. Hand engraved to the front is a large family armorial and to the reverse a Scottish sporran crest. The matching stand has an ornate cast and pierced frieze with face masks (to match those on the handle), and stands on large shell feet; the integral oil reservoir has a push on top, both with the sporran crest.

Weight (including raffia) 2451 grams, 78.8 troy ounces.
Total height 39cm. Kettle height 27.5 cm (handle extended), 19 cm (to top of kettle finial).
London 1753.
Maker Fuller White.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped below the kettle body and stand with a full set of English silver hallmarks, the lid with the maker and lion mark.

Literature. Silver tea kettles date from Queen Anne times. Tea kettles were used to refill the teapot for guests and family while tea was being served. They were made until the 1770’s when the tea urn took over the job of providing hot water. Although kettles were still made between 1770 and 1840 they were less common until Victorian times when they were reintroduced, probably because of the discovery of odourless spirit for the burners.

The kettle, stand and raffia handle are all in very good condition with a small amount of wear consistent with age. All fully matching and functional. The retaining pins are tight.

Maker: Fuller White

Fuller White, apprenticed to Edward Feline 1734, free 1744. First mark entered as largeworker 1744. Second mark in partnership with John Fray 1745. The partnership dissolved by 4 January 1748, when Fray entered a separate mark. White's third mark alone 1750/1. Fourth mark. Livery 1750. Report list 1773. Died 1775. Fuller specialised in making silver hollowares for tea and chocolate, for sale in his London shop the Golden Ball and Pearl in Noble Street near St Paul’s Cathedral.

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