This hot water jug is part of an Easi-Nest compact tea service that includes a teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug. The fact that it was intended for use in commercial catering, such as hotels, has strongly influenced the design.
Each piece of the service stacks neatly one on top of the other so that it can be stored as one piece in the restricted space of a commercial hotel pantry. The lids swing back 180 degrees allowing the pots to drain easily when stored on drying racks.
The designer, Cyril Shiner (1908-1989), was a major British silversmith and industrial designer. He also had an excellent reputation as a gifted teacher and craftsman.
Physical description
This hot wtaer jug is one component of a stacking service (along with M.30-2001, M.32-2001 & M.33-2001). Electroplated nickel silver, the body is a plain cylinder resting on a foot which is a flat, circular rim, the base of the body slopes downwards towards the centre. The foot rim fits snugly within the upper rim of the teapot (M.30-2001) when stacked. The top of the body is a narrow, circular flange sloping away from the centre and slightly overlaps the side wall. The lid is enclosed within a rim which is a plain strip of flat wire, interrupted at the rear by two lugs, at right angles to the rim holding a plain tube secured by a pin which forms the hinge of the lid. The lid, a circular disc with a protruding flange at the rear which is soldered to the tube forming the hinge, the surface concave with a knop in the centre, a segment with a plain strip as a moulding. A small hole to allow for escaping steam is drilled in the lid immediately behind it. The lid and hinge is constructed so that the lid can be opened through 180°, allowing the teapot to be inverted and rest to drain and dry on a mesh rack in a hotel pantry. The handle, ‘D’ shaped in profile is of hollow construction, rectangular in cross section and with rows of drilled holes near the two junctions with the body to facilitate heat dispersal. The short everted spout, soldered diametrically opposite the handle to the side wall of the body, just below the rim at the front.
Place of Origin
Birmingham, England (made)
Date
1946 (made)
Artist/maker
Shiner, Cyril (ABRSA, MSIA), born 1908 - died 1989 (designer)
Slade & Dolphin Ltd. (manufacturers)
Materials and Techniques
Electroplated nickel silver
Marks and inscriptions
EASI-NEST MADE IN ENGLAND A.1. E.P.N.S / PRO.PAT. / No. 3948 / REGD DESIGN / 853938 and the numerals 5 and 7
Dimensions
width: 10.50 cm, height: 12.30 cm, length: 17.00 cm
Object history note
This service was designed by Cyril Shiner for Slade and Dolphin and was later used by Saunders & Co Ltd. The price paid by the Museum is for the complete set.
Descriptive line
Hotel hot water jug in electroplate for Slade & Dolphin Ltd. Birmingham. Designed by Cyril Shiner, 1946.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Designers in Britain A Biennial Review of Graphic and Industrial Design Compiled by the Society of Industrial Artists, Volume Two, London, Alan Wingate. 1949 p.48 ill pl.1
Reconstruction Designers in Britain 1940-51, London, The Target Gallery, 2001 No.18
Kenneth Crisp Jones ed. The Silversmiths of Birmingham and Their Marks 1750-1980. London, NAG Press Ltd., 1981, p. 254 ill. ISBN 719800021
Illustrates the design specifications with a photographic insert of the complete service. The caption misnames the initial manufacturing company as Steel and Dolphin whereas the correct name is Slade and Dolphin.
Exhibition History
The Silver Galleries, International Silver, 1800 to the Present Day, Room 68 (Victoria and Albert Museum 27/11/2003-)
Labels and date
HOTEL TEASET Easi-Nest
Electroplated nickel silver
Birmingham, 1946
Designed by Cyril Shiner
Made by Slade and Dolphin Ltd
This compact teaset is made up of a teapot, hot water jug, sugar bowl and milk jug. Every aspect of the design of this service has been very carefully thought through. Each piece of the service stacks neatly one on top of the other so that it can be stored compactly as one piece in the restricted space of a commercial hotel pantry. Furthermore, the lids swing back 180 degrees allowing the pots to drain easily when stored on drying racks.
Cyril Shiner (1908-89) was a major British silversmith and industrial designer of the mid-twentieth century. He also enjoyed an excellent reputation as gifted teacher and craftsman.
M.30-33-2001 [26/11/2002]
Production Note
Reason For Production: Retail
Materials
Silver; Nickel silver
Techniques
Electroplating
Categories
Tea, Coffee & Chocolate wares; Metalwork
Production Type
Mass produced
Collection code
MET
