A George III sterling silver three-piece tea service, London 1817 by Joseph Biggs or John Booth

Comprising a teapot, a milk jug and a twin handled sugar bowl. Each of compressed circular form upon a domed circular foot. The teapot with a curved spout opposite a wood C scroll handle pinned to moulded junctions, the upper of which modelled as a moustachioed man’s face. The hinged domed lid surmounted by a detachable cast finial formed as heads of poppy, all above a chased acanthus leaf terrace. Each with embossed acanthus leaf decoration against a textured ground and a band of rocaille, with rosette and leaf rims. Each engraved to the foot rim with an inscription reading “Presented by the travellers club to Mr Charles Beloe, July 1820”. The milk and sugar with gilt interiors. Each fully marked to side, part-marked to lid, the finial unmarked. (3)

Teapot length – 29.2 cm / 11.5 inches

Weight – 1523 grams / 48.97 ozt

Probably Charles Beloe (1786-1855) son of William Beloe (1758-1812) who married on the 4^th August 1780 Mary Ann Rix (1761 - 1837). A Norwich family.