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.