Elkington & Co. - Coffee and tea service - .925 silver - 1916 - Giorgian style

A splendid and rare original pair of "café-au-lait" pots (coffee pots with side handles) in solid 925/1000 sterling silver, crafted in London in 1916 by the prestigious British firm Elkington & Co.

The pieces are finely wrought in a sumptuous George II revival style, characterized by bodies that taper upwards and rich repoussé decoration featuring foliage and geometric motifs of the highest quality. The finely shaped side handles are made of original period hardwood.

The pieces are presented intentionally unpolished, retaining their magnificent and uniform original patina. This condition preserves their historical integrity and the crispness of the detailing, highlighting the depth of the relief work and the authenticity of the hallmarks (the choice of whether to apply a mirror-like polish is left to the future owner).

All hallmarks are perfectly matched, crisp, and present on both the main body of each pot and the inner rim of the respective lids, guaranteeing the pieces' complete integrity and original pairing:
- E&C (within a lobed shield): maker's mark for Elkington & Co.
- Lion Passant: official certification for 925 Sterling Silver.
- Leopard's Head: symbol of the London Assay Office.
- Date letter (lowercase Gothic "a"): corresponding to the year 1916.

Both pieces bear an elegant, hand-engraved period monogram on the body in an intertwined English script style (letters "BP"), attesting to their provenance and original history of use.

Dimensions: height 25 cm, body diameter approximately 9 cm.
Total weight: 1,650 grams, distributed as 786 g and 864 g.
The substantial weight ensures a silver sheet of considerable thickness and solidity.

Condition: excellent overall period condition. No restoration, no later soldering. The wooden handles are firm and stable. Shows slight, normal signs of age consistent with its 110-year history.