Tea canister
Samuel Taylor
Category
Silver
Date
1770 - 1771
Materials
Sterling silver
Measurements
16.5 cm (Height); 10.0 cm (Diameter)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1246849.2
Summary
One of a pair of tea canisters, sterling silver, by Samuel Taylor, London, 1770/1. Part of a matched set with a sugar box of 1763/4, also by Taylor, and contained in a rosewood case of 1840 with silver mounts by Charles Reily and George Storer (NT 1246191). The inverted pear-shaped body of the canister is raised and chased with floral swags and drops suspended from rings issuing from cornucopia. Above is a gadrooned moulding and the swags are interspersed by single flower-heads whilst below are acanthus leaves. The domed foot and concave neck, also raised, are applied and chased with further acanthus leaves. On the foot, which has a chased gadrooned rim, the leaves terminate in spherical drops and are interspersed with further floral drops. The lid is raised in domed form and chased with floral swags and flower-heads to match the body. It has a broad, plain rim and a narrow band of gadrooning at the intersection. There is a cast calyx finial. Heraldry: none. Scratchweight: none.
Full description
For further information see the master object entry.
Provenance
Probably acquired by Margaret Anderson, the Hon. Mrs Ronald Greville, DBE (1863-1942); recorded as having been at Polesden Lacey in the 1943 probate valuation following Mrs Greville’s death; bequeathed with Polesden Lacey to the National Trust in memory of Mrs Greville’s father, William McEwan (1827-1913).
Credit line
Polesden Lacey, the Greville Collection
Marks and inscriptions
Underside: Hallmarks: maker’s mark ST in script in a heart-shaped punch for Samuel Taylor (Arthur Grimwade, London Goldsmiths 1697-1837, 1990, no. 2645), date letter ‘P’, leopard’s head crowned and lion passant.
Makers and roles
Samuel Taylor, goldsmith