Silver and wood coffee-pot or hot-water pot, London hallmarks of 1743-44, mark of Paul de Lamerie

The pear-shaped pot stands on three griffin-head feet with panels of scrolls and shells above. On the body are two large applied rococo cartouches of shells, scrolls, and flowers with putti above; both cartouches are within chased and punched matted surrounds, and each is engraved with a coat of arms. The short spout is chased with shells, scrolls, and foliage, and the upper part of the wooden handle issues from a socket molded with a lion mask and shells. The domed cover is chased with scrolls, and shells on punched matted ground and rests on three paw-, scroll-and-foliage feet with pendant floral and mask swags between. The plain lamp is engraved with a crest.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Provenance: Probably Alexander George Downing (Fullerton). Joseph E. Widener, Lynnewood Hall, sale, Samuel T. Freeman and Company, Philadelphia, June 20, 1944, lot 55. Purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Harold G. Ramser, 1983.

It is not known whether this pot on stand and burner was intended for coffee or hot water

The simple, domestic shape of the pot is transformed into a full rococo statement by the elaborate applied cartouche. Its use is not certain, as no other coffee pot by de Lamerie with a stand or lamp is known. It has been suggested that it was intended to double-up as a hot water jug for a tea service.

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.

LOAN:GILBERT.671:1 to 4-2008