The set of twelve spoons are still in the original cerise pink silk lined box – a bit battered buthten aren’t we all?

The spoons are in the rattail design-  a traditional style of tableware known for its elegant simplicity and historical charm. Characterised by a subtle raised ridge, or “tail”, on the reverse side of the cutlery handle, it has been a favourite among discerning diners for centuries.

Learn more about rattail flatware 

This set, by the silversmtih George Adams  is bright cut engraving enhancing the elegant sinlicity of the design

The round melon  bodies of the pieces have been repousse worked with dragons.

In Chinese culture, the dragon is a potent symbol of power, strength, good fortune and prosperity.  The foreigner who commissioned this tea set was clearly hoping for all these auspicious wishes 

The bamboo motif has been used for the handles , finials and also on the rim of each piece.

Bamboo is a powerful symbol in many cultures, representing a range of positive qualities like strength , flexibility ( it bends in the wind and comes back), strength, resilience and good luck- so more auspicious wishes 

The sugar and cream retain the original gilding

This is very attractive tea set by the well known silversmith Luen Wo.  Do look on the lid of the tea pot – a dragon’s head.  I have never seen that before

To be used and displayed

This piece is large enough for a tea set but perfect for serving drinks

A salver is not a tray .  Follow the link to find out why a salver is not a tray!

Dating from 1789 the coat of arms in the centre of this salver is so crisp.  If any one has any idea of who the original owners were from this coat of arms please let me know!

What is always special about Georgian silver is how it transcends the centuries .  This salver is 236 years old but would add style to any modern home.  The round border of the salver has an elegant beaded detail and this detail is repeated on the curved feet

Great condition

All the auspicious flower motifs are here- Bamboo for resilience, chrysanthemums that bloom through the frost, plum blossom for new beginnings, irises for plentifulness

Bamboo is the motif used for the stand and the handle and forms the finial.

The motifs are applIied to the body of the kettle and then additonal chasing has been used to augment the effect

The burner is particularly fine.

This is actually a tea kettle and would have been an extra part of the traditional three piece tea set – often for extra water – the burner would have been lit using oil and a wick to keep the water hot

Super weight and condition

The mid 19th century was the high point of the English ritual of “afternoon tea,” popularized by Anna, Duchess of Bedford in the 1840s.

This tea set would have been the height of fashion at that time

Weighing 1,660 grams ,all three pieces of the set are very impressive – and that’s what you wanted to do – impress the neighbours.

The set has an elegant curved shape with  finely hand chased flowers and foliage decorating the convex sides.  There are reserves on either side of each piece which may originally have engraved initials or even the family’s coat of arms.  The flower finial on the domed lid add that extra something.

The sugar bowl and cream jug retain the original gilding

Such quality !

The set of eight spoons are Norwegian by David Anderson and date from the 1920’s – its rare to get eight spoons in a set

The set of forks are Swedish sterling silver

The other three sets are English hall marked silver.

The Blue corinthian set of spoons are by Thomas Bradbury and date from 1928

The multi coloured set of tea spoons date from 1934 and are by Barker Ellis

The  spoons with the enamel flowered bowls are more recent.  These date from 1972 and are by SJ Rose and Son

Great gifts and great fun to use.

Each piece of the tea set is hand engraved with decorative swirls amongst flowers and foliage – in the style of the period.   There are shaped reserves for engraving

The spout of the tea pot has extra detail as have the hanldes of the three pieces

The interiors of the sugar bowl  and creamer still retain the original gilding

The finial of the lid of the tea pot is in the form of a flower.

This set is a fine size and excellent weight (1660 grams) and amazing value.

The centre of this oval  tray is hand engraved with a styalised pattern leaving a large oval reserve in the centre

The engraving is remarkably crisp – the tray is more than 100 years old

There is a gallery around the edge and the tray stands on four ball feet.

This tray is made by the firm Walker & Hall which was the leading silver maker of the period.

There is a patent number marked on the underside of the tray indicating that only Walker & Hall could reproduce this item

Fine weight ( 2,500 grams) and condition, this tray is perfect to hold a four piece tea set or to display those special decanters or even as a base for a special flower arrangement

The tea pot is rounded with a tall swing handle.  The cream jug is double skinned as almost always on Japanese Export silver.  The sugar bowl retains its original double skinned lid

The detail of the iris motif on this set is exceptional.  Note the fine detailing of the finials and the iris motif added at the bottom of the swing handle , the quality of the flowers repousse worked against the hamered background on the round bodies of the pieces

Irises symbolise  hope, wisdom, trust and valour, making it a great flower to have on a tea set.

This set is the work of a master craftsman.

The tray is displayed on a matching tray which is sold separately

This style is known as tree bark because the overall shape looks like a section of a tree branch and there is portion of the silver worked to look like the bark of a tree.

The handles and finial also look like branches. In this case there is even a small plum blossom added to the finial on the tea pot

These Chinese Export silver tea sets are always also worked with plum blossom which is a symbol for resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, because plum blossoms often bloom most vibrantly even amidst the harsh winter snow. 

As you can see there is slanted small reserve for engraving.

Good weight and excellent condition, this is the finest tree bark set I have ever seen