This exceptional antique sterling silver tea service consists of a teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl.
Each piece has a circular compressed form on to a circular spreading foot.
The body of each piece is embellished with chased floral and foliate sprays, incorporating an impressive scrolling leaf bordered, shaped vacant cartouche to one side.
The posterior surface of the silver teapot is further embellished with an embossed scene depicting three figures afloat in a small craft.
The upper rims of the cream jug and sugar bowl are encompassed with impressive applied fruiting vine decorated borders.
The teapot is fitted with a domed hinged hallmarked cover ornamented with further chased floral and scrolling leaf decoration.
The cover is surmounted with an exceptional cast sterling silver finial realistically modelled in the form of a stemmed flower accented with foliage.
The teapot is fitted with a plain carved handle featuring a plain scrolling thumbpiece.
The cream jug and sugar bowl have cast and applied S scroll handles accented with leaf decorated thumbpieces.
The swan necked spout is ornamented with a continuation of chased floral ornamentation from the body.
The cream jug and sugar bowl retain the original gilded interiors.
The teapot was made by Joseph Craddock and William Ker Reid in London, 1820 and the cream jug and sugar bowl were crafted by Joseph Briggs in 1824; although the cream jug and sugar bowl are not identical to the teapot, these items will have been crafted for the same family and sit very well together as a composite antique silver tea service.
Maker: Joseph Craddock & William Ker Reid / Joseph Briggs
Date: 1820 / 1824
