Victorian Sterling Silver Three-Piece Bachelor Tea Service

This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver three-piece bachelor tea set or service consists of a teapot, cream jug and sugar bowl.

Each piece of this service has a plain circular rounded form onto a spreading foot.

The surface of each component is embellished with impressive bright cut engraved Chinese-inspired scene depicting fenced structures surrounded by large trees and bushes, all conjoined with bridges for simplified voyaging characters, this ornamentation.

The decoration to the upper portion of this impressive antique bachelor tea set incorporates a fishing boat in the background and pairs of swallows in flight, the lower portion of each piece bears a contemporary bright cut engraved crest of an armoured arm elbowed grasping in the hand a branch.

The teapot is fitted with a flush hinged hallmarked cover which retains the original circular rounded shaped finial in addition to a continuation of ornamentation from the body, the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of this service.

The impressive antique teapot has a swan necked spout ornamented with a large embossed lobed design to the lower portion.

The teapot and cream jug are fitted with plain rounded C-shaped handles with plain scrolling thumb pieces, the sugar bowl is fitted with a pair of plain rounded handles.

The cream jug and sugar bowl retain the original gilt interiors.

This tea set is accompanied by the original hallmarked sugar tongs, ornamented with simplified bright cut engraved decoration.

This Victorian bachelor tea set is fitted to the original, fine and impressive hinged leatherette box with a satin and velvet lined interior.

This ornamentation is called ‘Willow pattern’ and is a distinctive Chinoiserie pattern commonly used on house wares, typically crafted on ceramics using white and blue. This design became highly popular in the late 18th century and by the early 20th century the fable had influenced an opera and silent film.

Condition
This antique bachelor tea set is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional presentation condition. There is no key to secure the original locking mechanism to the box, however the cover sits flush when closed; this impressive box is in exceptional presentation condition. Full hallmarks struck to the surface of each piece, in addition to the part hallmarks to the interior of the teapot cover and interior of the tongs are also very clear.

Dimensions
Teapot
Length from back of handle to tip of spout 18cm/7.1″
Width 10cm/3.9″
Height 10.5cm/4.1″

Sugar bowl
Length across handles 10.7cm/4.2″
Width 8cm/3.1″
Height 6.7cm/2.6″

Cream jug
Length from back of handle to tip of lip 9.8cm/3.9″
Width 6.4cm/2.5″
Height 6.2cm/2.4″

Sugar tongs
Length 10.2cm/4″
Width 4.1cm/1.6″
Height 1.1cm/0.4″

Total weight
16.1 troy ounces or 502g

Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request.

Reflections in photography may detract from the true representation of this piece of antique silverware.