A George III sterling silver teapot on stand, the teapot London 1792 by Frances Purton (reg. 4^th March 1783)

Of oval form with straight tubular spout opposite a wooden C scroll handle leading to a hinged gently domed lid surmounted by a detachable urn finial. The body with bright cut engraved oval cartouches below pendant swags to each side each below border of stylised leaves, the lid with simple bright cut engraved motifs. The stand London 1792 by Elizabeth Jones (reg. 15^th Jan 1783), of oval form and raised upon four splay feet, similarly engraved decoration, the central cartouche later engraved with a crest of a griffin’s head erased with a tag in its mouth above the initials WCH in gothic script. The teapot fully marked the lid with lion passant only, the finial unmarked, the stand fully marked underneath. (2)

Length – 26 cm/ 10.25 inches

Weight – 567 grams / 18.23 ozt

Collection of Anthony Aston Smith (1929-2010), bought from Sotheby’s 5^th March 1964 1964 £38

Frances Purton was the widow of Robert Purton who had been apprenticed to David Hennell on the 6^th January 1765. Elizabeth Jones was the widow of Robert Jones. She specialised in the production of waiters, salvers and trays.