Not on display

Tea and Coffee Service

1811-1812 (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.

Object details

Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver
Brief description
The oval, two-handled tray is on four couchant lion feet, with handles formed as gorgon masks and entwined serpents. The border is chased with ovolo ornament, palmettes, and gadroons, and the center of the tray is engraved with a coat of arms.
Physical description
The oval, two-handled tray is on four couchant lion feet, with handles formed as gorgon masks and entwined serpents. The border is chased with ovolo ornament, palmettes, and gadroons, and the centre of the tray is engraved with a coat of arms.
Dimensions
  • Width: 732mm (Note: measured across longest length including handles)
  • Weight: 7270g
  • Depth: 484mm
  • Height: 80mm
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.
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 70I - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.730 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • L.2010.9.29.9 - LACMA Loan Number 2010
  • SG 91
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.819-2008

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Record createdJune 19, 2008
Record URL
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