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Tea and Coffee Service

1809-10 (marked)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In the early nineteenth century, tea services were usually limited to three pieces: teapot, cream jug, and sugar basin; however occasionally a coffeepot and tray were acquired in the same style. This service is remarkable as it contains nine pieces; the muffin dishes and the tea caddy are unusual additions. The only other large service known from this period was also by Paul Storr and was made for Earl Howe, it numbered thirteen original pieces and three later additions.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
On long-term loan to Los Angeles County Museum from 2010.

Object details

Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Hot Water Urn
  • Liner
  • Liner Cover
  • Cover
Materials and techniques
Silver and ivory
Brief description
The hot-water urn stands on a square base supported by four paw feet with palmettes above. The short stem has a band of gadroons above and below. The reeded and foliage handles spring from lion masks that are applied to the upper part of the body, and the reeded spout terminates in a lion mask and has an ivory spigot. The domed cover is chased in a similar manner to that of the teapot and has a finial in the form of a crest.
Physical description
The hot-water urn stands on a square base supported by four paw feet with palmettes above. The short stem has a band of gadroons above and below. The reeded and foliage handles spring from lion masks that are applied to the upper part of the body, and the reeded spout terminates in a lion mask and has an ivory spigot. The domed cover is chased in a similar manner to that of the teapot and has a finial in the form of a crest.
Dimensions
  • Height: 41.5cm
  • Weight: 6563g
  • Width: 43.9cm
Measured 03/01/24 IW
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: Miss S.L.Somerville, sale, Sotheby's, October 19, 1961, lot 103. Lillian and Morrie A. Moss, Memphis, Tennessee. Purchased from David Orgell, Inc., Beverly Hills, 1976.
Summary
In the early nineteenth century, tea services were usually limited to three pieces: teapot, cream jug, and sugar basin; however occasionally a coffeepot and tray were acquired in the same style. This service is remarkable as it contains nine pieces; the muffin dishes and the tea caddy are unusual additions. The only other large service known from this period was also by Paul Storr and was made for Earl Howe, it numbered thirteen original pieces and three later additions.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
On long-term loan to Los Angeles County Museum from 2010.
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • Schroder, Timothy. The Gilbert collection of gold and silver. Los Angeles (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) 1988, cat. no. 98, pp. 371-75. ISBN.0875871445
  • Moss, Morrie A. The Lillian and Morrie A. Moss Collection of Paul Storr Silver. Miami: Roskin Book Productions, 1972, p. 114, pl. 53.
  • Williams, Elizabeth A. The Gilbert Collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Los Angeles (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), 2010, fig. 10, p. 34. ISBN 9780875872100
  • Clark, Mark A., Paul Storr Silver in American Collections, Indianapolis ; Dayton, 1972 no.30
Other numbers
  • SG 70 C - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • L.2010.9.29.3a-d - LACMA Loan Number 2010
  • SG 91
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.813:1-2008

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Record createdJune 26, 2008
Record URL
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