George II Silver Coffee Pot

Object Description

This excellent pot, of graceful form, is also extremely large and heavy. A handsome antique silver coffee pot of baluster form raised on a shallow pedestal foot. Elegant plain design and graceful shaped spout. To the front there is a hand engraved lion crest within a large decorative cartouche, to the reverse there’s a dog crest.

Contains 1650 ml.

Weight 1313 grams, 53 troy ounces.

Height 30.2cm. Spread across spout and handle 26.3cm.

London 1754.

Maker James Williams.

Sterling silver. 

Marks. Stamped on the body with a full set of English silver hallmarks, lid with maker’s mark only.

JAMES WILLIAMS
James Williams, London silversmith, apprenticed to John Gorham, free 1753. 1st mark as largeworker, in partnership with William Turner 1753, probably dissolved by 1754 when Turner entered a mark alone. 2nd mark, in partnership with Edward Dobson and William Pryor 1755. 3rd mark alone 1755.

Object Literature

Coffee and chocolate were established as part of social life by the end of the century and coffee pots can be found from the 1680’s onwards. Initially, these tall form pots (as averse to the squatter teapot shape) were used for both coffee and chocolate however we term chocolate pots to be those with either a removable finial or removable lid for inserting a swizzle stick. We also nominate some early side handled pots as chocolate pots.

Object Condition

In very good condition. The engravings are still sharp with a small amount of wear

Object Details