This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver three piece bachelor tea service consists of a teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl.
Each piece of this silver tea service has a circular rounded shaped form onto four feet.
The body of each piece is ornamented with exceptional chased decoration depicting figures drinking, conversing and dancing in an outdoor tavern setting; it can be determined that the ornamentation was influenced by Flemish/Dutch genre artwork, such as pieces crafted in the late 17th century by David Teniers II.
The shaped upper rim of the cream jug and sugar bowl are encompassed with applied scroll and leaf decorated borders.
This silver teapot is fitted with a hallmarked hinged cover surmounted with the exceptional, original figural finial displaying a male character reclined on a barrel, with both arms elevated, in one hand a simplified mug and the other a pipe; the finial secures to the interior of the cover with a wing nut.
The cover is encircled with further chased decoration featuring a continuation of the outdoor inn scene from that of the body, in addition to a cast shaped scrolling leaf decorated border to the rim.
These exceptional examples of antique teaware retain the original cast sterling silver handle realistically modelled in the form of a vine, with an organic knot to the thumbpiece; the handle to the teapot is hallmarked.
This antique teapot is fitted with an exceptional cast silver spout embellished with large scrolling leaf ornamentation and figural mask, all amidst matte textures.
Each piece is supported by four impressive cast and applied figural style feet.
The cream jug and sugar bowl retain the original gilt interior.
This exceptional sterling silver bachelor tea set, crafted by the renowned London silversmith Frederick Elkington of Elkington & Co, is the finest of its type you could hope to acquire.
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Date: 1883
