A rare George II Scottish provincial silver teapot, Aberdeen circa 1735 by Alexander Forbes (active circa 1728-53)

Of spherical ‘bullet’ form upon a spreading circular foot, the double C scroll handle fitted with horn insulators pinned to cylindrical sockets opposite a cast, half-fluted curved spout. The domed lid surmounted by a chased ovoid ‘pineapple’ finial. The spout with flat chased decoration of scold to the spout tip, the handle thumb section similarly flat chased with scrolls. The upper section of the body to the lid with flat chased decoration of foliate scrolls and bouquets of flowers with rocaille and lattice work reserves, all within a scalloped outline. The internal grill to soout pierced with scrolls. Marked underneath with maker’s mark AF, town mark, and flower head mark.

Length – 25.5 cm / 10 inches

Weight – 640 grams / 20.58 ozt

Several teapots survive from the Scottish provincial centre of Aberdeen, proportionality far fewer than from Edinburgh, but each generally all follow the same roughly spherical shape. However, most surviving teapots from Aberdeen bear the mark of George Cooper, a most prolific silversmith. Overall, the work of Alexander Forbes is much less frequently encountered, particularly for holloware such as this.

A three-piece tea service by Forbes sold Sotheby’s New York, 21 Oct 2010, lot 196 ($21,250 incl. prem)

A teapot attributed to Forbes sold Lyon & Turnbull, Edinburgh, Fine Scottish Silver, 13^th February 2008 lot 137

Other holloware by Alexander Forbes:

A sugar bowl, sold Bonham’s Edinburgh, 13 April 2016, lot 160 (£3750 incl. prem)

A waiter or teapot stand, sold Bonham’s Edinburgh, 17 April 2011, lot 310 (£456 incl. prem)

A square salver sold Waddington’s, Ontario, 11 Dec 2007, lot 135