Tea became the nation's beverage during Queen Victoria's reign. Lower taxes on tea and the expansion of plantations in India (the plant had originated in China) meant there was more affordable tea than ever before, making it accessible to more levels of society.
 
This is a fabulously over-the-top, silver plated tea service and would have been in the home of a wealthy family, or a family that aspired to be so. It is heavily decorated in the roccoco style with a repoussed body and engraved flowers , the finial on the top of the lid is in the shape of a melon, a very exotic fruit for the time.The handle has a small wooden ring(insulator) inserted at the top, to protect the user from the heat being generated down the handle. This service was made by the renownded company James Dixon and sons sheffield and bears the marks for factory between 1835-1900.
 
The silver plate is in very good condition and the body has no dinges or cracks, there is a little staining inside the pieces which is usual for a service of this age.
 
Dimensions: 26cm x 17cm