Description
Victorian silver plated tea set. Preowned in good antique condition. Value R1 500 – R2 000
This is an electroplated Britannia Metal 3 piece tea set made by Philip Ashberry & Sons of Sheffield in the late 1800’s.
Philip Ashberry & Sons were early specialists in Britannia Metal (a pewter-type alloy composed mainly of tin, antimony and copper) before expanding into electroplated nickel silver (EPNS).
Britannia Metal was widely used from 1846 as a more affordable base for silver plating compared to nickel silver.
While visually elegant, it is considered softer than other metals. Antique sets frequently show wear where the silver plating has thinned. This is the case with our 3 piece set.
It has ornate styling and wonderful chased floral patterns but the silver plating has worn through quite extensively.
EPBM is a softer metal so these sets are susceptible to dents, scratches and wear that exposes the dark metal underneath.
This in no way detracts from the set. In fact, it enhances its age and beauty.
The teapot is stamped underneath ‘Philip Ashberry & Sons, Sheffield, Britannia, non-conductible handle, expansion bottom’. All three pieces bear the number 4931 on the bottom.
The set comprises a teapot with a hinged lid, a milk jug with a hinged lid and a sugar bowl with a normal lid.
The hinges work perfectly and the lids fit snugly. All three lids have raised finials. All three pieces have worn silver plate but no noticeable dents.
The teapot has a slight dent on the underside.
The whole set is in remarkably good condition for its age and is considered collectible, antique and decorative.
Measurements: Teapot: 28cm (from handle to tip of spout), 11cm wide and 15cm high (to top of finial)
Milk Jug: 15cm (from handle to lip), 8cm wide and 10cm high (to top of finial)
Sugar Bowl: 22cm (from handle to handle), 11cm wide and 14cm high (to top of finial)
