Museum Collections
Luce Center
Coffee and tea service (4 pc.)
Object Number:
1976.55a-f
Date:
ca. 1855
Medium:
Silver, ivory
Dimensions:
Overall: 9 1/4 x 11 1/4 x 7 in. (23.5 x 28.6 x 17.8 cm)
Marks:
stamped: on bases (except coffeepot): "W. G & S" in a conforming rectangle over "W/ G/ &/ S"
Inscription: each piece is engraved at center-front cartouche reserve with script initials: "T M & M S B"
stamped: on base of coffeepot: "G/ &/ W" in a conformi
Description:
Silver coffee and tea service consisting of a coffeepot, teapot, sugar bowl with lid, creamer and waste bowl; circular wide-bellied forms with narrow applied and seamed necks and narrow bases; flat bottomed; cast c-scrolls, s-scrolls, and fleur-de-lis applied to the rims; four applied feet cast as trefoils with cast c-scrolls forming the rest of the rims around the bases; high domed lids with acanthus-torch finials; hollow, cast c-scroll handles, with each handle partly covered by acanthus leaves; chased, repousséd and engraved decoration covers bodies and lids with floral garlands beneath waved and scrolled swags; initials, "T M & M S B" engraved in the front reserves in script; maker's mark on the bases.
Gallery Label:
This coffee and tea service was made for Thomas Marston Beare (1806-1869) and his wife Mary Saltonstall Beare (1807-1869), whose initials it bears. The same handle and rim decoration can be found on an ewer in the collection of Winterthur (61.964).
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. Andrew Oliver
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.




