This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver tea service consists of a teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl.
Each piece has a circular rounded form onto a plain collet foot.
The body of each piece is embellished with segments of impressive chased layered scale motif diaper pattern, alternating with bands of convex bead designs; this formation reflects the design and style of the renowned silversmith Paul de Lamerie.
The teapot is fitted with a hallmarked flush hinged cover surmounted by the original finial; the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of the service.
The teapot retains the original, fine and impressive C shaped carved handle with a leaf decorated thumbpiece and ornamented with further scale decoration to the handpiece.
The handle is fitted to impressive scrolling sterling silver terminals; the lower terminal is embellished with a continuation of the scale pattern to the handle and body.
The cream jug and sugar bowl are fitted with sterling silver C scroll handles; matching the style of the handle to the teapot.
The interior of the cream and sugar retains the original gilding.
The teapot is fitted with an impressive swan necked spout ornamented with further chased layered scale motif diaper pattern in addition to a plain moulded border to the lip.
The underside of each piece bears the retailer's mark 'Frazer & Haws, 31 Regent Street'.
The components of this impressive tea service were made by the London silversmiths Frazer & Haws in 1895; these items will have been crafted in the same year but due to the hallmarking system teapot displays the date letter 'U', whereas the cream jug and sugar bowl bears 'a'.
Teasets of this exceptional quality and gauge of silver are highly desirable and becoming increasingly scarce.
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Maker: Frazer & Haws
