1860 Reed & Barton Aesthetic Greek Neoclassic Figural Grape Footed Tea Set

  
1860 REED & BARTON AESTHETIC GREEK NEOCLASSIC FIGURAL GRAPE FOOTED TEA SET. Aestheticism (also the aesthetic movement) was an art movement in the late 19th century which valued the appearance of literature music and the arts over their functions. According to Aestheticism, art should be produced to be beautiful, rather than to teach a lesson, create a parallel, or perform another didactic purpose, a sentiment best illustrated by the slogan art for art's sake.

Aestheticism originated in 1860s England with a radical group of artists and designers, including William Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. It flourished in the 1870s and 1880s, gaining prominence and the support of notable writers such and Walter Pater and Oscar Wilde.

Aestheticism challenged the values of mainstream Victorian culture, as many Victorians believed that literature and art fulfilled important ethical roles. Writing in The Guardian, Fiona McCarthy states that the aesthetic movement stood in stark and sometimes shocking contrast to the crass materialism of Britain. Original early aesthetic set in very good conditions showing no dents monogram breaks or repairs, some shallow nicks and scratching, bright mirrored plating with signs of wear and use, some scratching and shallow nicks as pictured, luscious soft patina to the figural and applied, enhancing the shape and contour of each piece, strong hinge, clean insides no leaks or repairs, some signs of tear and wear mostly to the creamer, overall quality manufacture with splendid detail to solid casting, teapot 9 7/8" by 8 7/8", 1.3 lbs. Weight, tall lidded sugar bowl 8 7/8" by 7 1/2"1.6 lbs.

Weight, slop bowl 6" and creamer 7 1/2". Stamped (1950) Mf'd & Plated by Reed & Barton.