Edwardian Globular Sterling Silver Spirit Kettle on Stand, George I Style,
by Alexander Smith, London, 1905
(s1015)
A very desirable and high quality silver 'globular' shaped tea
kettle
in the style of a George I tea kettle, c1740, this particular tea kettle dating from 1905,
is of a good large size and is of heavy gauge silver and beautifully made.
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The tea kettle has a globular shaped body that is
of very thick gauge silver. It is possible to see the marks inside where it has
been beaten into shape by the very skilful silversmith. The rim of the tea
kettle is beautifully embellished with a gadrooned border into which the
circular lid fits.
On the right hand side of the teakettle's body it has a fine
contemporary engraving of a Herron like bird standing erect, wings out and
it is holding a serpent in its beak. Below the bird is a flowing banner in which
is the Latin inscription 'FIRM EN FOI'.
The circular lid of the tea kettle is a flush fit to the tea
kettle's body, in exactly the same manner as a George I period tea kettle would
have been. There
is a delightful gadrooned border decoration on the tea kettle's body round the
lid hole.
The lid has a charming wooden button finial with silver securing
bolt to the underside where a silver nut holds it in place.
The spout to this majestic tea kettle is of heavy cast silver and
beautifully shaped. It has a wonderful shaped moulding on the lower portion and
a scroll cap to the top tip of the spout. The very tip of the spout is delightfully shaped and provides a very
good solid spout that pours beautifully.
The handle is of charming swing type, so that it maybe lowered
to either side. This attractive swing handle of the tea kettle is of silver, with
a wicker handle covering the top portion allowing it to be handled
when the kettle is full of hot water. Either side of the top wicker covered
top of the handle, the handle is formed of delightful 'S' and 'C' scrolls terminating at the
well made swivel joints on the body of the kettle. There are hallmarks on the
swing handle, the details of which are given in the marks section below.
The part of the handle hinge which is on the kettle's body has a
most charming shell applied decoration thus terminating the handle to the kettle
in a decorative and solid manner. This shell motif is also applied to the three
feet of the kettle stand.
The body of the tea kettle is beautifully and very
clearly hallmarked on the right hand side, near to the termination of the swing
handle. The full details given in the marks section below. There are
also further hallmarks on the lid and finial fastening nut as well as on the swing
handle.
The tea kettle stands upon a circular foot rim giving it a good
solid base. This raised foot rim fits into the burner stand and is secured by
two silver pins on chains. The pin at the front passes through a spigot on the
front of the kettle, thus allowing it to be tilted forward when the second pin
at the back is removed. Thus a teapot can be filled with ease by just tipping
the kettle forward in safety. With both pins securely in place, the tea kettle
can be lifted around safely by the swing handle, keeping the kettle secured to
the burner stand. With both pins removed, the kettle can be lifted away
from the stand, allowing access to the spirit burner.
The stand to this beautiful tea kettle is circular in form, with
three very attractive 'S' and 'C' scroll shaped legs. Each leg is capped at the top
scroll with a leaf which is applied down the back of the scroll-this creating a
beautiful decorative feature.
Each of the three legs is terminated on a cast silver shell
foot, exquisitely made, giving the stand a very firm footing. The legs are then attached to three scrolling braces to a circular centre support. This support is the housing for the drop-in
spirit burner.
The two pin chains are firmly attached to the underside of the
top frame by circular eyelets.
The stand is clearly hallmarked on the circular collar into
which the spirit burner fits, details of which are
given in the marks section below.
The cup shaped silver drop-in burner has a screw in top portion so that
the receptacle can be filled with a spirit, such as methylated spirit. There is
a wick holder in the centre of the lid through which a wick is drawn.
This is certainly the 'Rolls-Royce' of Tea Kettles and would be
a delightful addition to the tea table at tea time. It is a faithful copy of a
George I style Tea Kettle, but at a fraction of the price.
This is a magnificent Edwardian Globular Spirit Kettle on Stand, George I Style,
by Alexander Smith, London 1905
Size and Weight: (values are approximate)
Marks:
The tea kettle and stand is hallmarked throughout, including on the side of the
kettle's body, on the lid rim the lid, on the swing handle, on the stand frame, the drop-in burner
cup and cover. All hallmarks are very crisp and
clear.
The marks on the body of the tea kettle comprise the Leopard's Head of the
London assay office; Lion Passant for sterling silver; Date Letter 'k' for 1905
and a manufacturer's mark of 'AS', the mark for Alexander Smith.
The marks on the lid rim of the tea kettle comprise the Leopard's Head of the
London assay office; Lion Passant for sterling silver; Date Letter 'k' for 1905
and a manufacturer's mark of 'AS', the mark for Alexander Smith. The
finial securing nut is also marked with the manufacturer's mark of 'AS',
the mark for Alexander Smith and the Lion Passant for sterling silver.
The marks on the swing handle of the tea kettle comprise the
Leopard's Head of the London assay office; Lion Passant for sterling silver;
and the manufacturer's mark of 'AS', the mark for Alexander Smith.
The marks on the body of the tea kettle stand comprise the Leopard's Head of the
London assay office; Lion Passant for sterling silver; Date Letter 'k' for 1905
and a manufacturer's mark of 'AS', the mark for Alexander Smith.
The marks on the side of the tea kettle spirit burner cup comprise the Leopard's Head of the
London assay office; Lion Passant for sterling silver; Date Letter 'k' for 1905
and a manufacturer's mark of 'AS', the mark for Alexander Smith is stamped
on the underside of the cup.
The marks on the rim of the lid of the spirit burner comprise
only of the Lion Passant for sterling silver.
As can be seen form these pictures, all the hallmarks are
very clear.
This really wonderful Edwardian tea kettle is in fantastic condition with no
major dents, scratches or repairs. All mouldings are crisp and the kettle is in
fully working order.
The only extremely minor imperfections are that the inner rim of the spirit
burners lid is slightly misshapen, but this is of little consequence as this
does not show when the lid in fitted to the burner and does not affect the use
of the kettle in any way. There is also some discolouration to the underside of
the lid as shown, but again does not show when the lid is fitted into the burner
and would have been caused through the use of the kettle in the past.
This stunning tea kettle and stand, complete with its spirit burner, made from good heavy gauge silver in
really in excellent condition. It is an exquisite tea kettle and stand of a faithful George I
style and would be a gracious addition to any tea table for that perfect and
stylish afternoon tea or perched on a table to impress your guests.
