A Queen Anne Britannia Silver Coffee Pot, James Chadwick?, London, 1703

A Queen Anne Britannia silver coffee pot, James Chadwick?, London, 1703

Coffee pot with a truncated-conical body. The body is entirely decorated in repoussé and finely chased with a dense decorative repertoire of foliate scrolls, floral motifs, rocaille elements and asymmetrical cartouches. Domed lid, hinged and richly worked with floral garlands.

The Heraldic Cartouche: displays a finely engraved noble coat of arms, surmounted by a knightly helmet. The lower section features a cartouche bearing the Latin motto: ORTITER GERIT CRUCEM (He bears the cross with fortitude), historically associated with the ancient family and genealogy of the Perots.

The Commemorative Inscription: on the opposite side of the body is an inscription dating from the mid-19th century, which reads: Presented to the Revd J. S. Perot / by the / Parishioners of Smith's Parish / BERMUDA / 1848 (Presented to the Reverend J. S. Perot by the parishioners of Smith's Parish, Bermuda, 1848).

Close examination of the silver handle reveals the presence of distinct Victorian-period hallmarks. In early 18th-century coffee pots and chocolate pots, cast silver handles were extremely rare or absent, in favour of handles made entirely of fine wood or carved ivory. These organic materials were chosen because they did not conduct the heat of the boiling liquid to the hand of the person serving it. Following the change of ownership of the object and the subsequent commemorative presentation made in the Bermuda Islands in 1848, the original wooden or ivory handle, probably worn or deteriorated through age and intensive use, was replaced by a Victorian silversmith, probably commissioned by the parishioners before the formal presentation to the Reverend J. S. Perot.

Britannia Silver with 4 Hallmarks:

Sterling Silver Wood with 2 Hallmarks:

HxLxD 9,65in x 8,66in x 4,33in

32,45oz

Private collection

Slight signs of age-related wear and superficial scratches. The four hallmarks are present on the side of the coffee pot body. On the underside of the lid: maker’s mark and Britannia mark? On the handle: lion passant and duty mark.