Description

Sheffield Silversmith Richard Morton & Co 1779

From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to offer this Georgian Sterling Silver Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of oval shape and unusually smaller design is beautifully decorated with bright cut engravings of precise garlands to the central body and a further garland oval cartouche to the centre below the escutcheon. The lid is decorated with further foliage engravings and is surmounted by a dual-purpose tea leaf finial which doubles as the opening handle. Hinged at the rear the tea caddy opens with a smooth movement revealing the contents ready to store tea. The base is hallmarked for Richard Morton & Co, Sheffield, 1779 British Sterling Silver during George III’s reign.

This Georgian silver tea caddy comes with a key and a non-functional lock.

Richard Morton was one of a limited number of Sheffield silver manufacturers who produced silverware prior to the establishment of the Sheffield Assay Office in 1773. He is recorded as a working silversmith in 1768 in partnership with William Clayton. His RM hallmark was entered on 16 September 1773 and not long after two further hallmarks, R.M and RM & Co were entered by Richard Morton and his business partners. It is on record that this firm was prohibited from producing silver candlesticks as that branch of the trade was being reserved for John Winter.  Richard Morton went on to manufacture a wide range of products including tea caddies like the one above.

Sterling Silver is an alloy composed by weight of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness (parts per thousand) of 925.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

Additional information