~ English Estate Cutlery ~

From the Aesthetic-Pre Raphaelite Period

An Unusual 6.4" 

Highly Decorated & Pierced Teaspoon 

~ by William Briggs & Co, Sheffield~

circa 1875-90

Description: Up for auction is this rare and very romanticized, heavy Sheffield Plate Silver Teaspoon from England displaying an incredible Pre-Raphaelite, dreamy romantic Renaissance-Revival terminal.  This highly decorated tip shows a splendid Medieval style of foliated design so favoured by the Aesthetes of their day: Rossetti and Edward Burne-Jones, which in turn finally gave way to the Arts & Crafts Movement.

Mid-stem there is a delightful Palmetto leaf where tendrils grasp a cut-out Medieval Shield surmounted by traceries of Trefoils or Trifoils-common in Gothic window architecture.  The Shield is pierced through with roses.  All very romantic!

The bowl is highly decorated with belt-like borders.  Some tiny wear to the engraved designs from use-but it still looks good. (See pix #7 and #8). 

Hallmarks:  "W B & Co." which stands for the Wm Briggs & Co. of Sheffield, England- (1875-1922).  I believe this hallmark stamp is one of the earlier stamps of this silverplate company.

Size:  6.4" in length          Weight: 29 grams or 1 oz.

Condition: Fine>Tiny wear to silver on back where bowl rests, and slight wear to design in bowl.

History of Aesthetic Movement:   The movement started in England in the 1840's as a rebuttal to the Industrial Revolution and by the time of its evolution into the Arts & Crafts Movement at the turn of the century, it had influenced designs of textiles, wallpaper, jewellery and even silver.  I am a fan of Pre-Raphaelite design, having spent time in the Birmingham Museum of Art where one of the greatest collections of Pre-Raphaelite paintings are housed.   Being a bit of a romantic, this spoon has an almost "Medieval Window" about it with climbing roses and tendrils.

Postage within the U.S. is First Class Signed-For Delivery $3.80+4.90=$8.70

No exceptions. If you do not agree, do not bid.

The Sterling Lion always accepts PayPal payments from confirmed PayPal address/bank numbers.  Other acceptable transactions: 1.) E-Cheques  2.)- Credit Cards through PayPal  3.)- Merchant Credit Card payments.

Note: All payments must be received within 7 days (1 week after finish of auction) unless other arrangements have been made. The Sterling Lion auto-generates an NPB Strike after 7-8 days if auction wins go unpaid.

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Refunds:  We offer refunds only if the item is not-as-described.  Please notify us within 3 days after receiving the item and return within 7 days (1 week) - no exceptions.  Once the item is returned in original condition safely, we will refund purchase price via PayPal, minus postage.  No refunds given on items detained by foreign customs offices. 

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The Sterling Lion will gladly combine similar sized items if you wish to purchase multiple items within one week (7 days) between first and last items won.  Other items purchased outside of 1 week, will be invoiced & mailed seperately.

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Payments must be received within 7 days; if no payment is forthcoming, The Sterling Lion will issue a NPB Strike.  We will remind you with gentle emails during the week's time; unless Buyer has made previous arrangements with us. (See how to "Contact Us.")

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We sell from a collection of antique items purchased overseas and from within the United States.  We love to collect historical items from the Georgian - Regency - Victorian - Edwardian - Art Deco Eras as well as more modern 20th. century vintage items.

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