Teapot (4) - Silverplated - Hard Soldered ca. 1935

This is an elegant four-piece Art Deco tea and coffee service made in Sheffield, England, around 1933–1939.

Every piece carries the same clear stamp, EPNS – Made in Sheffield – England – Hard Soldered, along with capacity marks such as 1½ PINT and 1 PINT. These markings indicate a high-quality pre-war production, created using the hard-soldered method. Hard soldering was a superior and labour-intensive technique in which joints were fused using high-temperature silver-based solder rather than the softer, low-melting alloys that became common after the 1950s. Because of the strength, precision and heat resistance it provides, hard-soldered construction is considered a hallmark of earlier, better-made Sheffield electroplate. Sets manufactured with this method are more durable, more stable under heat and significantly more desirable to collectors.

The design of the set is characteristic of late Art Deco and the streamlined modern aesthetic of the 1930s. The tall coffee pot, rounded teapot, sugar bowl and creamer share clean geometric lines, smoothly polished surfaces and elegant curved handles. The sugar bowl and creamer feature gilt interiors, a detail associated with higher-grade EPNS services. The interior of the teapot shows a visible tea stain from age and use, which is typical for vintage silver-plate teapots and does not affect structural integrity or performance.

The overall condition is good for its age. There are gentle surface marks and signs of handling, but no dents or structural damage. The plating remains reflective, and the pieces retain their original matching proportions and character. While the set is not individually maker-stamped with a name, the overall construction, stamp layout and design strongly resemble the work of leading Sheffield firms such as Walker & Hall or Cooper Bros & Sons.

This is a genuine pre-war Art Deco service with an uncommon level of craftsmanship, enhanced by its hard-soldered manufacture. It remains both decorative and fully functional, representing an excellent example of Sheffield’s finest electroplate production.

Coffee pot height: 19cm
Teapot height: 14cm
Sugar bowl: 15x8x10cm
Creamer: 12x8x8cm