Hippolyte Pierre Bompard : Antique French Sterling Silver & Vermeil Melon Pattern Tea Set - Figural Chinese Decor C.1840

An incredible and unique French Sterling Silver Tea Set from the Louis-Philippe Period. The set is comprised of a Teapot, covered Sugar Bowl and Creamer, a total of 3 Melon pattern pieces with wide lobes emphasised by friezes of leafy scrolls, scrolls and shells, and base of the bodies embellised with a large rocaille border.  All handles are surmounted by a striking Chinese Crocodile Lizard, and the Vermeil figural finials feature a metitulously detailed Chinese man serving tea on the Teapot, and a Chinese musician playing cymbals on the Sugar Bowl, while both reposing on a richly detailed rug. The interiors of Sugar Bowl and Jug are also in Vermeil (18 carat Gold on Silver).
Meticulously crafted from the highest quality silver, each piece is punched with the Minerve 1st Standard Hallmark  (.950), mark of Master Goldsmith Hippolyte-Pierre BOMPARD (hallmark with his initials "HB", a plume and a star) active from 1834 to 1851, and his Signature in full " BOMPARD".
Condition of this outstanding Tea Set is excellent with just light signs of use to note, it was revised and cleaned by our Parisian Goldsmith, and the rich vermeil is beautifullly preserved.  A unique set of remarkable quality, most likely a special order, designed to grace the very finest of tables....

Height of Teapot : 16.5 cm
Weight of Teapot : 972.4 grams
Height of Sugar Bowl : 16 cm
Weight of Sugar Bowl: 779.4 grams
Height of Creamer : 14.3 cm 
Weight of Creamer : 412.4 g
Total  Weigh of Set : 2164.2 grams