A late 19^th century Anglo – Indian unmarked silver three-piece tea service, Madras circa 1890

Raj period. Comprising a teapot, a milk jug, and a twin handled sugar bowl. Each of compressed circular, globular form upon a spreading circular foot, the teapot with a curved spout modelled as an elephant’s head, opposite a handle modelled the same, the sugar and milk with handles the same. The hinged gently domed head surmounted by a detachable finial of a figure of Vishnu riding a caparisoned elephant. The bodies with embossed decoration in the swami style of vignettes of Hindu deities upon their vahana. The teapot with Indra upon an Elephant, Durga upon a tiger, Parvatti as Kali upon a lion, Kalki upon a horse, Kartikeya upon a peacock, Nirrti upon a man, Chandra upon an antelope, and Lakshmi upon Kamadhenu (mother of all cows). Each interspersed with columns and architraves reserved with foliate scrolls. The sugar and milk with the same, additionally with Brahma upon a goose (hamsa). The swami band all between bands of stylised leaves, the teapot lid with embossed deities within foliate scrolls. (3)

Teapot length – 20.5 cm / 8 inches

Weight – 962 grams / 30.93 ozt