Silver with kingwood handle, London hallmarks for 1933-4, mark of H.G. Murphy and the Falcon mark for Murphy's workshop.

Given by Andrew Cox in memory of his parents, Mr and Mrs John Cox

This service was published in Design for Today Vol.II, p.300, (London 1934) with the following commentary:

DESIGN IN SILVER

The exhibition of English silversmiths' work at the Victoria and Albert Museum arranged by the Museum Authorities and the Council for Art and Industry, traces the development of design as shown in silver by examples of ancient and modern side by side. The modern examples, with some exceptions, are of traditional form shorn of embellishement. Here and there the designer has wavered, adding a little beading along the rim or a little engraving.

We illustrate a tea set designed by H.G. Murphy, of 58 Weymouth Street, which won the highest award at the Milan Exhibition of 1933. The design may at first sight seem deliberately eccentric, but its shape is in fact dictated by the method of machine manufacture. It cost £20, which we understand is much less than a corresponding set manufactured by old methods would cost. The lids lift off completely thus dispensing with hinges which must be hand-made. The hand can be inserted for cleaning. The handles are in kingwood.

Goldsmiths' Company Exhibition RF.2004/844

This teapot is part of a tea service designed by the English silversmith Harry George Murphy (1884-1939). An illustration of the service appeared in Design for Today (London, 1934). The following description is an extract from the commentary.

‘We illustrate a tea set designed by H.G. Murphy…which won the highest award at the Milan Exhibition of 1933. The design may at first sight seem deliberately eccentric, but its shape is in fact dictated by the method of machine manufacture. It cost £20, which we understand is much less than a corresponding set manufactured by old methods would cost. The lids lift off completely thus dispensing with hinges which must be hand-made. The hand can be inserted for cleaning. The handles are in kingwood.’

M.6-1985