Hallmarks -- England; Plate -- Collectors and collecting; Sheffield plate
The illustration (p. 191) shows the class of teapot made about
1790. The price, which is written in ink, is "1½ Pints 40s." and
"Quart, 46s. Each." These prices must seem delightful to the lover
and collector of old Sheffield plate nowadays who has to pay swinging
prices, especially when we read that the old trade prices were subject
to thirty per cent. discount. But it is the same with old Worcester
china, where the original prices were a tenth of what is paid now. An
interesting feature about this teapot illustrated is that it shows
the fusion of the classic design in the wreath and the Chippendale
manner in the ribbon ornament, which latter style finds its way into
bookplates of the period. The French school of engravers of the _Louis
Seize_ period embellished their oval portraits with ribbon ornament in
this character.
These medallions intended to receive the crest of the owner were of
silver. The Sheffield plater affixed them in position in a cunning
manner with no unskilful touch. They were capable of receiving deeply
cut engraving without exhibiting the copper underneath. They are a
feature present in many examples not only of teapots but many other
articles made in plated ware.
A similar teapot to the design in the Pattern Book is illustrated
(p. 193). The Pattern Book bears the name Jn. Green 1792, and as he
was a partner in J. Parsons & Co. there is some likelihood that this
is one of their productions. On the same page are two Tea Caddies,
oval in shape, with broken outline, in the same fashion as silver
tea caddies made about 1785, and having the characteristics of the
Sheraton delicacies in cabinet work. The lid of one is surmounted by
a round knob and the other by a hinged handle. They both have locks.
The chasing is in classical manner, not so severe as that of the Adam
period, but still retaining much of the formal grace of the festoons.
The cake basket shown on the same page is contemporary, though it
indicates a departure from classic feeling.
[Illustration: OLD SHEFFIELD PLATED TEAPOT, SUGAR BASIN, AND CREAM JUG.
Date 1810.]
[Illustration: OLD SHEFFIELD PLATED COFFEE POT, TEAPOT, SUGAR BASIN,
AND CREAM JUG ON TRAY.
Date 1820.
Four-piece sets were made after this.]
[Illustration: OLD SHEFFIELD PLATED SET.
Date 1825.
(_By courtesy of Walter H. Willson, Esq._)]
[Illustration: OLD SHEFFIELD PLATED SET WITH TRAY.
Date 1830.
(_By courtesy of Walter H. Willson, Esq._)]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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