Creswick, Sheffield Silver-Plate, Four-piece Tea Set

  
Here we have for sale an antique silver plate tea set by Thomas and James Creswick of Sheffield. The set is round in shape, each piece sitting on a silver plated band. The bowls of each have a fluted decoration at the bottom and are embossed with acanthus leaves at the top. Loop handles with similar design features are firmly attached to each piece.

Both the hot water jug and teapot have bone insulators inset in the handles, both top and bottom. Both the sugar bowl and milk jug still retain hints of their original gold wash. The hot water jug has an elongated neck with corresponding handle and spout. The lids are in a similar florid design with beaded finials which can be removed for cleaning.

Both the teapot and the hot water jug retain their lifelong pattination inside - teapot tannin black and the hot water jug dull. 150 years and extensive use, the set is in remarkably good condition. Each piece has the maker's mark stamped underneath with the tradesman's initial. In addition, the hot water jug has'Thwaites' signed in script and, in the same handwriting, the sugar bowl has 3 + 3 + 1, (probably reference to the customer's order).

It is obvious that the previous owners have used it, rinsed it and carefully put it away. There are no hints of it having been over cleaned. The gold wash has faded particularly on the milk jug which has obviously had constant washing.

Height of the hot water jug = 7 (177 mm). Capacity = 1 pint (500 ml).

Width (handle to spout) = 7 (177 mm). Diameter = 4½ (115 mm). Height of the teapot = 4 (100 mm). Width (handle to spout) = 8¼ (210 mm).

Diameter = 4¾ (120 mm). Height of the sugar bowl = 3 (75 mm). Total width 6¾ (170 mm). Diameter = 3¾ (95 mm). Height of the milk jug = 2¼ (60 mm).

Width (handle to spout) = 4¾ (120 mm). Diameter = 3¼ (85 mm). Please view my photographs and feel free to message me with any queries.

I've taken more shots than usual because this is such a super set. I have many hundreds of items of porcelain, crystal and silver collected or inherited over the past fifty years and my detailed descriptions are to give a full and honest report about each item. Sadly, as we are now living in a retirement flat, a lot of our beautiful things have to go. If you are interested and make a reasonable offer, it will probably be accepted. I pride myself in giving in-depth descriptions and accurate measurements in both imperial and metric. This gives accurate dimensions and means that you can find the best match for your existing collection. I also mention any changes in maker's marks, whether a piece is or isn't marked at all, and what variation of the mark is used so that you can choose the one you feel best matches your collection. Even though some of my items appear new and unused, there may be very slight marks which are commensurate with age. Most of my glassware has been handmade and therefore there may be slight variation in sizes.