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Author	Topic: Taunton Britannia tea service
doc Posts: 728 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 01-14-2008 01:39 PM I am in the process of moving, and over the weekend I took out of the attic a tea set that my mother had given me (it never fit with the decor of our house, so I am ashamed to say it has sat there for over 10 years). It is a really lovely service with elaborate repousse design of a farmhouse and trees on each piece. However, only one of the pieces is marked with the maker's mark of Taunton Britannia. I have been able to find information about Taunton Brittania(predecessor to Reed & Barton), but was wondering if it was common for only a single piece to be marked. With other plated sets that I have handled, most if not all of the pieces were generally marked. Unfortunately, the camera got packed before the teaset did, so photos will have to wait for a while! IP: Logged
Dale Posts: 2132 Registered: Nov 2002	posted 01-14-2008 11:52 PM My personal view is that all silver marking is haphazard, down unto the present day. Having said that, my understanding has been that Taunton Brittania offered wares both in the new improved pewter (Brittania) and silverplated. The company seems to have come more from the tradition of pewterers than silversmiths. And pewter marks are, IMHE, really all over the place. Does the repousee appear to be hand done? These are found. It appears at one time, apprentices and nimble amatuers learned the art of repousee by working on brittania pieces. What makes this a set? How many pieces are there? Lots of questions that await you setting up housekeeping in your new home. And unpacking. Household hint. Pack the camera last. In fact carry it with you. Photo everything before it goes in the truck. And as it comes off the truck. Good for insurance claims. IP: Logged
doc Posts: 728 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 01-15-2008 10:30 AM I am not letting the movers touch anything of value other than a few pieces of furniture and one painting that I can't pack myself-I packed all my antiques myself and have driven them to our new location personally. But great suggestion on photographing things before and after the move! I think I know where the camera is, so I guess I'll be busy this week! In terms of what makes it a set, it contains a coffee pot, teapot, covered sugar, open sugar and a creamer (which looks more like a ewer). They all have the same overall design, which is an ivy leaf pattern on the base and the same finials, and all have the same repousse and etched design (the farmhouse is etched, the trees are repousse). I believe they are hand done, but I'll have to go back to look at it. I'll make it a priority to unpack it and post a photo because I had forgotten how much I really like it! IP: Logged
doc Posts: 728 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 10-17-2021 05:49 PM 13 years and 3 moves later, I finally unpacked and cleaned this set, so here is the photos previously promised! https://photos.app.goo.gl/rXLCXmC7V3UtnXBG8 https://photos.app.goo.gl/78FYzAac1FGPLa7N8 https://photos.app.goo.gl/krSM1c8i1aouPk1C6 IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 10-18-2021 10:39 AM IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 10-18-2021 11:48 AM I think this form was called "landscape" design its use spanned quite of few years. Below is an example from a pitcher retailed by Bailey and Kitchen from the 1840-50s. It was made by Taylor and Lawrie. [This message has been edited by ahwt (edited 10-18-2021).] IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 10-20-2021 07:01 PM Beautiful! IP: Logged

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