A late 19th / early 20^th century Iranian (Persian) silver three-piece tea service, Isfahan circa 1900

Late Qajar dynasty, comprising a teapot, twin handled sugar bowl and a milk jug. The teapot in the Russian style of compressed spherical form with flat base, the curved spout with applied scroll terminal opposite a C scroll handle, the hinged (pin deficient) lid with cavetto edge surmounted by a knop finial. The sugar bowl and milk jug with shaped pointed handles, heightened with chasing. Each with all over engraved ghalam zani decoration of figures between arabesques, depicting musicians, dancers and drinkers with libations at a celebration against a rosettes background with the occasional rabbit or nightingale (gul-o-bolbol), all below a band of interlaced strapwork and pellets. The teapot and sugar bowl with a vacant shied shape cartouche to side. Unmarked. (3)

Teapot length – 17.8 cm / 7 inches

Gross Weight – 480 grams / 15.43 ozt