ANTIQUE SILVER TEAPOTS
Antique Silver teapots Description:
A type of covered serving piece used for brewing and serving tea, with a handle, spout, and lid.
Antique Silver teapots History:
The earliest known teapot is in the London Victoria & Albert museum, dated 1670. They were made throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and are still being made today.
Antique Silver teapots Design:
They were all based on the same general design with an insulated handle (either wooden, or silver, with bone inserts), a lid with a matching finial, a spout for pouring with (sometimes an integral filter), and sitting on a single pedestal foot or four single feet. Sometimes they were made with matching teapot stands, although these are quite rare to find now from the Georgian period. They were often hand-engraved or hand-chased with designs reflecting the period. Shapes varied tremendously from plain round & straight-sided, to heavily chased bellied styles.
Antique Silver teapots Collectors Note:
Many early teapots from the 17th and early 18th centuries are very sought after and command high prices. Teapots from the 18th century with their original teapot stands are now priced at a premium. Look closely at where the handle, spout, and feet are attached to the body for signs of repair. Loose hinges are quite common but can be repaired fairly easily. Check for thin spots on the main body as many pots were engraved and later erased. The hallmarks should be clear and there should be a matching mark on the lid, and also on the finial and handle (if these are silver)