A mid-19^th century Indian colonial silver “toffee” pot, Calcutta circa 1840 by Twentyman and Co (active 1818-20, then 1824-53)

Of baluster form upon a moulded spreading circular foot. A curved spout opposite a scroll tipped fruit wood handle pinned to a scroll socket leading to a gadrooned rim. A cavetto edge with a hinged domed lid surmounted by a detachable rosette finial with an internal wooden insulator. The internal section with a pull-out dual strainer section with twin ring attachments, the pull-out central section with a central stem. The handle with a white metal strengthening brace. Marked to the reverse of foot rim edge, T&Co, pseudo lion passant and tally mark.

Height – 19.7 cm / 7.75 inches

Length – 19.2 cm / 11.5 inches

Weight – 1668 grams / 53.63 ozt

Hamilton and Co announced in 1838 the invention of “toffee” pots, see Wilkinson W., The Makers of Indian Colonial Silver, (1987), London: W.R.T. Wilkinson p.89 “silver coffee pots designed so that they can also be used as teapots.”

Twentyman and Co of Calcutta, working from 3 Tank Square until 1836, thereafter 3 Hare Street.