Tea service

Object Number: 
1977.55a-c
Date: 
ca. 1815
Medium: 
Coin silver
Dimensions: 
Overall: 8 x 11 5/8 x 6 5/8 in. (20.3 x 29.5 x 16.8 cm)
Marks: 
engraved: center front: a lion's arm erect, holding cross of the field
Description: 
Wrought coin silver tea service consisting of a teapot, sugar bowl with lid and a creamer; round in plan with wide gadrooning around the lower bodies; round stepped bases joined to the bodies by a ring pedestals; stamped diamond bands applied to the vertical footrings and the ring pedestals; plain bodies, below a plain concave shoulder flared to a stamped diamond band; convex doming above with vertically applied rims decorated with a stamped rope design; stepped domed lids with a serrated baluster finials; engraved with the crest of the King family, a lion's arm erect, holding cross of the field, at the front centers; no maker's marks.
Gallery Label: 
This tea service belonged to Rufus King (1755-1827), American Ambassador to the Court of St. James, and a twice unsuccessful candidate to the Presidency of the U.S.
Credit Line: 
Gift of Mrs. Carol F. Jopling and Mr. Robert King Farrington
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Creative: Tronvig Group