A touch of bygone elegance - the Victorian tea service in sterling silver
The timeless splendour of this exquisite Victorian tea set unfolds amidst the delicate melody of clattering china cups and the fine aroma of freshly brewed tea - a true masterpiece of 19th century silver art.
The three gleaming vessels, made from solid sterling silver 925/-, tell stories from an era in which grace and perfection were inextricably interwoven. The gently rounded bodies of the teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl are adorned with elegant, semi-fluted decoration in the unmistakable Queen Anne style - a style known for its simple yet majestic beauty.
Every fine engraving, every curved line is a testament to master craftsmanship. The pieces proudly bear the full hallmarks of Heath and Middleton, those highly respected silversmiths of London and Birmingham. The teapot, with its artfully curved handle and gracefully shaped spout, dates from London in 1892, while the milk jug and sugar bowl come from Birmingham in 1893 - a harmonious meeting of two metropolises of British silversmithing.
But the tea service harbours another secret: engraved on its base are the words ‘HARVEY PARIS’ - a silent testimony to his former stay in one of the most famous Parisian hotels around 1900. Who might have drunk from these vessels? Were they ladies in lavish silk dresses chatting in fine company over delicate petit fours? Or businessmen making important decisions over steaming Earl Grey in the sumptuous salons of Harvey Paris?
Today, in its excellently preserved condition, this set is not only an artful witness to the past, but also a symbol of timeless elegance. It rests in silence, yet every gleam on its lustrous surface reflects the spirit of an era in which beauty and refinement were inextricably interwoven.
A tea service that not only serves tea, but preserves history in every drop.
Dimensions & details
- Teapot: approx. 22 cm long. Weight approx. 398 g.
- Capacity 0.5 litres
- Sugar bowl: approx. 15 cm long. Weight approx. 205 g.
- Milk jug: approx. 12 cm long. Weight approx. 127 g
- Combined weight: approx. 730 g.
