waxantiques

Tea / Coffee

English tea drinking traditions are famous worldwide and date back to the 17th century when tea, coffee and chocolate were introduced into this country. The fine array of antique silver pots and associated tea and coffee wares makes a fascinating collecting field, very decorative and enjoyable to use. Browse our collection of antique silver tea, coffee and chocolate related products.
Teapots, Coffee & Chocolate Pots, Tea and Coffee Sets, Kettles & Samovars
Sugar Containers, Tea Caddies, Jugs & Cow Creamers, Tea Accessories

Tea originated in China as a medicinal drink over 2,000 years ago and was introduced into Europe during the 16th century by Portuguese priests and merchants. Drinking tea became fashionable in England during the 17th century and in time led to the English starting large-scale production and commercialization of the plant in India.

Coffee cultivation and trade began on the Arabian Peninsula and by the 15th century coffee was being grown in the Yemeni district of Arabia and by the 16th century it was known in Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey. By the 17th century, coffee had made its way to Europe and was becoming popular across the continent. Coffee houses were quickly becoming centres of social activity and communication in the major European cities and in England “penny universities” sprang up, so called because for the price of a penny one could purchase a cup of coffee and engage in stimulating conversation.

At home, the English drank tea rather than coffee. 19th century inventories show that families owned twice as many teawares as coffee utensils. Women adopted the drink for their social gatherings and served tea after dinner. It was also an occasion to demonstrate wealth and good taste, and teawares were as responsive to changing fashion as dress and interior decoration.

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Tea / Coffee

English tea drinking traditions are famous worldwide and date back to the 17th century when tea, coffee and chocolate were introduced into this country. The fine array of antique silver pots and associated tea and coffee wares makes a fascinating collecting field, very decorative and enjoyable to use. Browse our collection of antique silver tea, coffee and chocolate related products.
Teapots, Coffee & Chocolate Pots, Tea and Coffee Sets, Kettles & Samovars
Sugar Containers, Tea Caddies, Jugs & Cow Creamers, Tea Accessories

Tea originated in China as a medicinal drink over 2,000 years ago and was introduced into Europe during the 16th century by Portuguese priests and merchants. Drinking tea became fashionable in England during the 17th century and in time led to the English starting large-scale production and commercialization of the plant in India.

Coffee cultivation and trade began on the Arabian Peninsula and by the 15th century coffee was being grown in the Yemeni district of Arabia and by the 16th century it was known in Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey. By the 17th century, coffee had made its way to Europe and was becoming popular across the continent. Coffee houses were quickly becoming centres of social activity and communication in the major European cities and in England “penny universities” sprang up, so called because for the price of a penny one could purchase a cup of coffee and engage in stimulating conversation.

At home, the English drank tea rather than coffee. 19th century inventories show that families owned twice as many teawares as coffee utensils. Women adopted the drink for their social gatherings and served tea after dinner. It was also an occasion to demonstrate wealth and good taste, and teawares were as responsive to changing fashion as dress and interior decoration.

  • 1675 - 1679

    Marx Schaller

    9789 Antique German Silver Tea Cannister

    £6,500

    A 17th century German parcel-gilt silver caddy of barrel shape. With a screw top lid and drop ring handle. Beautifully made and very tactile to hold. Suitable for tea and sugar. Raised on four ball feet, the box is decorated throughout with silver lobes against a matted gilt background. Weight 321 grams, 10.3 troy ounces. Height 11.5cm (to the top), 15cm (to top of handle). Stamped on the top and underside of body with German silver marks and assay scrape for Augsburg, Germany. Maker Marx Schaller II. Circa 1675-79. See Rosenburg German silver marks for Augsburg page 127.

  • 1696

    St John Hoyte

    9964 William III Antique Silver Caster

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    A late 17th century antique sterling silver muffineer in the traditional lighthouse design with a bayonet fitting, so typical of these very early casters. Excellent size and heavy quality, it feels good in the hand. Lovely patina. The base is plain styled with a gadrooned base, the top is simply pierced, the holes are quite large as crushed loaf sugar was still in use at this early date. Uninscribed.Weight 304 grams, 9.7 troy ounces. Height 19.5cm. Diameter of base 6.3cm. London 1686. Makers mark for St John Hoyte. Sterling silver

  • 1697

     

    9990 William III Antique Silver Cup

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    A very unusual antique silver chocolate cup of tapering form on a small applied foot; the simple “S” scroll handle having a beaded rat-tail decoration. The body has four panels of hand applied matting work. This rare little cup was made for drinking hot chocolate, the newly discovered drinking beverage popular c.1680-1720 – see the coloured illustration. Contains 155ml. Weight 108 grams, 3.4 troy ounces. Height 7.7cm. Diameter of top 7.2cm. Spread across the handle 9cm. London 1697. Maker unknown.

  • 1704

    Thomas Parr

    10352 Queen Anne Antique Silver Tea Caddy

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    An extremely rare collector’s item dating to the early 1700’s. This unique little silver tea box of cube form has a hinged lid with octagonal finial. The hand applied matted work is very specific to the 1680-90 period. The small size is due to the rarity of tea at this early date. Weight 203g, 6.5 troy oz. Height 9cm (finial), 7cm. Top measures 6.3cm square. London 1704. Maker Thomas Parr I. Britannia standard silver.

  • 1707

    Benjamin Pyne

    10294 Queen Anne Antique Silver Milk Jug

    £4,750

    A rare little antique covered milk jug having a hinged lid and spout with hinged cover. Britannia standard silver*. This is one of the earliest forms of milk jug and the style is very much like a contemporary coffee pot. Simple plain design and very pretty wooden handle. Hand engraved below the spout with a lion crest and duke’s coronet, and between the handle sockets with an earl’s coronet above a cypher. Contains 400 ml.
    Weight 448 grams, 14.4 troy oz. Height 17.2cm. Spread 14cm. London 1707. Benjamin Pyne

  • 1707

    John Barnard

    10295 Queen Anne Antique Silver Chocolate Pot

    £5,500

    A good early antique silver chocolate pot of tapering cylindrical form, domed lid typical of the period, and an attractive scrolling wooden side handle. The top finial is hinged so that the chocolate can be stirred by inserting a swizzle stick and the cover detaches via a removable pin and chain for cleaning. The spout has a hinged flap. Hand engraved to the front is an armorial for the FITZGERALD family within a decorative cartouche. Contains 950 ml. Weight 608 grams, 19.5 troy oz. Height 24.5cm. Spread 19.5cm. London 1701. John Barnard I. Britannia standard silver*. 18th century.

  • 1713

    Anthony Nelme

    10218 Queen Anne Antique Silver Coffee Pot

    £5,750

    A rare early antique silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides and domed lid typical of the period. Wooden side handle. Large size and good weight. A nice feature is the little hinged flap on the end of the spout. Contains 1200ml. Weight 930 grams, 29.9 troy ounces. Height 26cm. Diameter of base 11.4cm. London 1713. Maker Anthony Nelme. Britannia standard silver.

  • 1715

    Martin Stockar

    10165 Antique George I Silver Coffee Pot

    £10,750

    An early antique silver coffee pot (or chocolate pot) with domed lid and beautifully grained fruit wood side handle. The elegant plain style, with simple reed borders, has the straight lined octagonal shape which is a very rare and desirable feature. The decorative strapwork handle supports are also functional as Britannia standard silver is purer and therefore a softer silver. Contains 1000ml. Weight 1098 grams, 35.3 troy ounces. Height 26.6cm. Diameter 15.25cm (widest point of body). London 1715. Maker Martin Stockar. Britannia standard silver.

  • 1718

    John Farnell

    10303 George I Antique Silver Tea Caddy

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    A good early English silver caddy of plain rectangular design with the plain hexagonal design typical of the early 1700’s. The sliding top has a lift off cap which doubles as a tea measure. Weight 226 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Height 12.6cm. Base 8.9 x 5.8cm. London 1718. Maker John Farnell. Britannia standard silver – purity 95.8%*. 18th century.

  • 1719

    Richard Bayley

    9137 George I Silver Teapot

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    A rare early English silver teapot of simple plain form. Britannia standard silver*. Pear shaped with domed hinged cover and original wooden handle. Hand engraved to the front is a coat of arms – argent, six Lions rampant, sable – within an incised shield, possibly for the Savage family. Early teapots were of small capacity because of the rarity of tea. Contains 570 ml. Weight 425 grams, 13.6 troy ounces. Height 14 cm. Spread 19 cm. London 1719. Maker Richard Bayley.

  • Circa 1720

    Paul de Lamerie

    9720 George I Silver Tea Kettle

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    A large and imposing antique silver samovar of plain design having a wooden swing handle and 12-sided baluster design. By the sought after Huguenot silversmith Paul de Lamerie. Britannia standard silver*. Very heavy gauge silver. The matching burner stand has carrying handles and stands on large wooden ball feet; it has a removable burner well with push on top and flip cap for the wick. Excellent colour and hand hammered finish. A nice feature is the hinged cover to the pouring spout. Engraved with a crest and name “Riversdale W.G”. Weight 3696 grams, 118.8 troy ounces. Total height 44cm (handle extended). London circa 1720. Maker’s mark stamped 4 times for Paul de Lamerie (Britannia mark).

  • Circa 1720

    David Willaume

    10362 George II Antique Silver Jug

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    An interesting little antique silver cream jug formed of an auricular shell with a ribbed serpent scroll handle and raised on a dragon support. Exquisite workmanship and very heavy gauge silver. Faint traces of original gilding. Contains 75ml. Weight 252g, 8.1 troy oz. Height 10.4cm (top of handle)/9cm (lip). Spread 10.8cm. Foot 5.3 x 4.1cm. Unmarked silver. Probably David Willaume. Circa 1720.

  • 1722

    John Albright

    9942 George I Antique Silver Strainer

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    A rare early English antique sterling silver strainer of circular form with decorative side handles. A very charming and useful size; although originally made as a lemon strainer this could be used nowadays as a tea strainer. The bowl is pierced with a design of scrolls and other motifs and contemporary owner’s initials are engraved to one handle. Weight 75 grams, 2.4 troy oz. Spread 16.8cm. Diameter 8.5cm. Height 2.9cm. London 1722. Maker John Albright. Sterling silver

  • 1726

    William Darker

    8488 Antique George I Octagonal Silver Sugar Bowl

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    A rare early English silver sugar bowl of octagonal form. Lovely plain style and heavy gauge silver. Good colour. Weight 132 grams, 4.2 troy ounces. Height 5.5 cms. Diameter 10 cms. London 1726. Maker William Darker.

  • 1729

    Thomas Rush

    10320 George II Antique Silver Jug

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    A charming little early antique silver sparrow beak jug with a compact body and wire rimmed foot. Good plain style and lovely patina. To the front is a hand engraved crest of a stag. Weight 88 grams, 2.9 troy oz. Height 8.5cm to top of handle. Spread 7.9cm across the top. London 1729. Maker Thomas Rush. Sterling silver.

  • 1731

    William Darker

    10332 George II Antique Silver Bullet Teapot

    £3,750

    A very charming antique silver teapot of small size and globular form. With a plain body, straight spout, and wooden handle. The engraved decoration to the top has a circular band of hatching interspersed with shells, faces and scrolls. Hand engraved to the front is a crest of a swan. Excellent colour and traces of the original hammered finish. Contains 300ml. Weight 277g, 8.9 troy oz. Height 10.5cm. Spread 17.3cm. London 1731. Maker William Darker. Sterling silver.

  • 1733

    Robert Lucas

    9753 George II Silver Coffee Pot

    £1,950

    A good plain style antique silver coffee pot with straight tapering sides and a shallow domed lid. To the front is a contemporary hand engraved armorial within a decorative cartouche. Good gauge silver and excellent colour. Contains 640 ml. Weight 699 grams, 22.4 troy ounces. Height 20cm. Spread 19cm. London 1733. Maker Robert Lucas. Sterling silver.

  • 1733

    Francis Spilsbury

    9861 George II Silver Caster

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    A charming antique silver caster of plain baluster form with a pierced pull off cover. Good colour. To the front is the hand engraved crest of a falcon over a plume of five ostrich feathers/ducal crown. London 1733. Made by Francis Spilsbury. Sterling silver.

  • 1734

    Richard Gurney And Thomas Cooke

    10341 George II Antique Silver Jug

    £785

    A pretty little silver sparrow beak jug with a compact body and spreading foot. Good plain style. Good patina. Weight 58 grams, under 2 troy oz. Height 7.7cm. Spread 6.8cm across the top. London 1734. Maker Thomas Cooke & Richard Gurney. Sterling silver.

  • 1737

    Willem Van Strant

    10116 Antique Dutch Silver Miniature Teapot

    £1,250

    A Dutch silver toy teapot of pear shaped form with swing handle and detachable lid. Very good condition. Excellent patina. Weight 45 grams, 1.5 troy ounces. Height 5.5cm (to top of handle), 4.4cm (to top of knob). Made in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Date mark “C” for 1737. Maker Willem Van Strant.

  • 1738

    Samuel Wood

    10327 George II Silver Warwick Cruet

    £3,350

    A handsome antique silver cruet set with a matching set of 3 silver casters and 2 silver and faceted crystal oil and vinegar bottles. The cinquefoil frame has 4 shell feet and a shaped decorative cartouche to the front with a hand engraved armorial. Each caster and bottle bears the same matching crest. Total weight of silver 1288 grams, 41.4 troy ounces. Caster height 17.75cm and 14cm. Bottle height 17cm. London 1738. Maker Samuel Wood, known for his silver casters.

  • 1747

    George Boothby

    10171 George II Antique Silver Kettle

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    A decorative antique sterling silver samovar of circular form having a shaped folding handle with leather finish. The body is beautifully hand chased with scrolls, fish scale and flowers and there is a large rococo design cartouche to the front and back. The matching stand has a cut-work frieze with face masks, it has a removable burner well with push on top. Weight 2294 grams, 73.7 troy ounces. Total height (handle extended) 36cm, height (handle folded) 26cm. London 1747. Maker George Boothby. Sterling silver.

  • 1748

    Samuel Taylor

    9867 George II Covered Sugar Bowl

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    A rare antique sterling silver covered sugar bowl of circular form on a small spreading foot. Excellent plain design, typical of the period. Good colour. In the early 18th century sugar bowls or sugar boxes nearly always had covers which, when reversed, could be used as a saucer or spoon tray. Weight 219 grams, 7.0 troy ounces. Total height 9cm. Bowl diameter 9.7cm. London 1748. Maker probably Samuel Taylor a specialist tea caddy and sugar bowl maker.

  • Circa 1750

    Lawrence Jones

    9522 Antique Silver Piggin

    £550

    A delightful antique sterling silver cream pail or piggin in the traditional form of a milking pail or bucket with coopered decoration. It has a single raised handle with a hanging bracket to the reverse to suspend the little bowl from possibly the sugar bowl. Weight 37 grams, 1.1 troy ounces. Height 4.3 cm (7 cm to top of handle). Diameter 4.3 cm. London circa 1750. Makers mark only for Lawrence Jones.

  • Circa 1750

    Pierre de Moliere

    10310 George II Antique Silver Teapot

    £3,750

    A charming little bullet shaped teapot of plain simple form with a shaped panelled spout and wooden handle. Elegant small size. The bullet shaped teapot is typical of the George II period and this Swiss example shares all the quality characteristics including an inset hinge and cast silver foot. The lid is finely hand engraved with fruit, flowers and foliate scrolls. Contains 460ml. Total weight 368 grams, 11.8 troy ounces. Height 12.2cm. Spread 19cm. Lausanne, Switzerland. Circa 1750. Maker Pierre de Moliere.

  • 1751

    John Jacob

    9784 George II Silver Caddies in a Box

    £11,750

    A stunning quality set of antique silver tea caddies and covered sugar bowl in a later fitted lockable tortoiseshell box with silver mounts. Very heavy gauge, cast silver. The deeply embossed and chased silver decoration is particularly attractive and each piece has a cartouche with a lion crest to the front. The two baluster shaped caddies, for green and black tea, have lift off tops. The bowl has a hinged lid with a bouquet of flowers finial. Total weight of 3 boxes 1,373 grams, 44 troy ounces. Tea caddy height 16.5cm. Sugar bowl height 15.5cm. London 1751. Maker John Jacobs, of Hugeunot origin. The box handle is hallmarked for London 1805, maker “JS”. Sterling silver.

  • 1752

    Samuel Herbert And Company

    9504 George II Silver Caddies in a Box

    £6,750

    An excellent quality pair of antique sterling silver tea caddies and matching covered sugar bowl with gilt interior. All with cast silver bird finials and contained in a fitted Sheraton period wooden box with coloured flower and foliage inlays. The deeply embossed and chased silver decoration is particularly attractive and each caddy has a fine hand engraved coat of arms to the front. Heavy weight. The two caddies, for green and black tea, have the original lift off tops now drilled with holes to convert them into sugar shakers (muffinieres). Total weight of 3 boxes 882 grams, 28.3 troy ounces. Sugar casters height 15.5cm. Sugar bowl height 14cm, diameter 10.3cm. London 1752. Maker S Herbert & Co..

  • 1752

    John Swift

    9969 George II Antique Silver Coffee Pot

    £1,650

    An antique sterling silver coffee pot with a straight sided, slightly baluster form raised on a shallow pedestal foot. Good quality shaped wooden handle. Elegant plain design and graceful shaped spout. Contains 980 ml. Weight 776 grams, 24.9 troy ounces. Height 24cm. Spread across spout and handle 21cm. London 1752. Maker John Swift.

  • 1754

    Samuel Taylor

    9723 George II Silver Sugar Bowl

    £785

    An antique silver bowl with extensive embossed decoration of flowers, leaves and scrolls. To the front is a rococo design cartouche – uninscribed. Superb quality and heavy gauge silver. No lid. Weight 222 grams, 7.1 troy ounces. Height 8.4cm. Diameter 10.5cms. London 1754. Maker Samuel Taylor. Sterling silver.

  • 1754

    James Williams

    9847 George II Silver Coffee Pot

    £2,650

    This excellent pot, of graceful form, is also extremely large and heavy. A handsome antique silver coffee pot of baluster form raised on a shallow pedestal foot. Elegant plain design and graceful shaped spout. To the front there is a hand engraved lion crest within a large decorative cartouche, to the reverse there’s a dog crest. Contains 1650 ml. Weight 1313 grams, 53 troy ounces. Height 30.2cm. Spread across spout and handle 26.3cm. London 1754. Maker James Williams. Sterling silver.

  • 1759

    Benjamin Gignac

    9717 George II Silver Coffee Pot

    £1,250

    An antique sterling silver coffee pot of plain baluster shape and raised on a pedestal foot. Good chunky gadroon borders and graceful shaped spout. Uninscribed. Contains 1200 ml. Weight 950 grams, 30.5 troy ounces. Height 28.8 cm. Spread across spout and handle 21.5 cm. London 1759. Maker Benjamin Gignac. Sterling silver.

  • Circa 1760

    Walter Brind

    8117 George III Silver Cream Pail

    £550

    A delightful antique sterling silver cream pail or piggin. Traditional design in the form of a milking pail or bucket with coopered decoration. The swing handle is formed from 2 intertwined strips of silver. Contains 70 ml. Weight 77 grams, 2.4 troy ounces. Height 5 cm (9.5 cm to top of handle). Diameter 6.6 cm. Makers mark only for Walter Brind. London circa 1760.

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  • 1796

    Erik Ernander

    9907 Antique Silver Swedish Vases

    £1,950

    A large harlequin pair of antique silver vases, or ale glasses, with gilded bands to the top and base rims, and fully gilded interior. Each has an expansive band of engraved decoration to the body, one vase with initials “C.O.D” prick engraved to the front. Very similar in weight and size, the vases have differing decorations. Total weight 771 grams (381/390), 24.7 troy ounces. Height 20.7/20.4cm. Diameter 14.5/14.3cm. Swedish silver stamps. Maker E. Ernander. Date mark O2 for 1796.

  • 1765

    William Cafe

    10142 George III Antique Silver Candlesticks

    £2,950

    A stunning pair of antique silver candlesticks of tall column form standing on square decorative bases. The pierced Corinthian capitals have excellent sharp detail, beautifully decorated with foliage and flower heads. The stepped square bases have broad gadroon borders enclosing flower and foliate ornament, and an interesting pictorial crest (worn). Removable nozzles. Solid silver with wood filled bases. Height 31.2cm. Base 13.4 x 13.4cm. London 1759. Maker William Cafe. Sterling silver.

  • Circa 1880

    Josef Carl Klinkosch

    10102 Pair of Antique Austrian Silver Tureens

    £6,500

    A stunning pair of antique silver vegetable tureens of octagonal form, with matching covers. The detachable libers can be used separately. Excellent quality and thick gauge silver. These serving dishes make an impressive show with their twin scrolling handles, applied borders and classical scenes amounted to the front and reverse sides. The lids have attractive pumpkin finials and an applied monogram with mythical ornament. Total weight including liners 4305 grams, 138.4 troy ounces. Height 24.1cm (to top of finial). Spread across handles 24.1cm. Diameter 15cm. Vienna. Circa 1880. Maker Josef Carl Klinkosch.

  • Circa 1720

    David Willaume

    10362 George II Antique Silver Jug

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    An interesting little antique silver cream jug formed of an auricular shell with a ribbed serpent scroll handle and raised on a dragon support. Exquisite workmanship and very heavy gauge silver. Faint traces of original gilding. Contains 75ml. Weight 252g, 8.1 troy oz. Height 10.4cm (top of handle)/9cm (lip). Spread 10.8cm. Foot 5.3 x 4.1cm. Unmarked silver. Probably David Willaume. Circa 1720.

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