Six-piece Japanese Enameled Silver Tea Service

Description:

Six-piece Japanese Enameled Silver Tea Service, c. 1900, each polychrome enamel-decorated with wisteria vines, some pieces also with birds, with bamboo-form handles, inscribed "S.A.B.S. from [various initials] Pasadena California Christmas 1902" to underside, a kettle on stand with burner, teapot, creamer, bucket-form sugar, tea caddy, and associated flaring vase additionally decorated with prunus and stylized flowers to foot, ht. 7 1/2 in., approx. 67.5 troy oz.

Provenance: By family decent from Sophia Augusta Brown Sherman (1867-1947),daughter of John Carter Brown II (1797-1874) and Sophia Augusta Browne Brown (1825-1909) and the wife of William Watts Sherman (1842-1912),to the present owner. The service appears to be a Christmas gift to Sophia from her husband and children.
Estimate $1,000-1,500

Tea service all similarly marked to underside (see image). Creamer in good overall condition. Tea caddy with a small dent and associated nicks to foot rim. Sugar with very minor splits to seam along handle joint. Teapot with loss to one section of filigree vine to body, very minor/unobtrusive loss to enameled leaves, very minor/unobtrusive pinprick dent to cover, and a small break to top ivory insulator. Kettle with three of four arms dented inward, very minor/unobtrusive loss to enameled leaves in one area. Burner with handle unattached (both handle and body with old solder) and scattered nicks and dents (particularly to foot rim and top edge). Stand unmarked and with scattered minor nicks. Vase with different character marks (see image),minor loss to enameling in several areas.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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