A Victorian sterling silver four-piece tea and coffee service, London 1889/90 by Martin, Hall and Co

Comprising a teapot, coffee pot (1889), milk jug and a sugar bowl. Each of compressed circular form with quarter-fluted base and a flat-chased acanthus band. Each with an everted beaded rim. The pots with a curved spout opposite a reeded strap handle with acanthus capping and pinned ivory insulators. The hinged lid surmounted by detachable fluted knop finials with a rocaille calyx, additionally decorated with a band of guilloche. Each engraved with a crest of a winged heart pierced with a dagger, the other side engraved with a crest of a griffin passant. Each fully marked and part-marked to lids, lion passant only to wing nuts. (4)

Teapot Length – 24.5 cm / 9.6 inches

Weight – 1638 grams / 52.67 ozt

The first crest is for Tennant

The second crest is a variant for Firth

for Edward John Tennant (b. 1844) son of John Tennant of Leeds, who married Emily Frances Firth (b.1856), daughter of Arthur Firth on the 21st January 1891. Edwward John Tennant was a tea planter and later a stock broker in Leeds. Thence by descent.

This crest for Tennant is recorded in Fairbairn's as belonging only to Charles Coombe Tennant (1852–1928) of Cadoxton Lodge, Neath, Glamorganshire