Four (4) piece New Orleans themed scenic coin silver tea and coffee service; each of the four pieces with hand-chased decoration depicting Jackson Square with St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the equestrian statue of General Andrew Jackson (by sculptor Clark Mills, erected in 1856) to one side, and a pelican feeding its young, reminiscent of the Louisiana State Seal, to the other side. The decoration, believed to be unique, is possibly by Bernard Terfloth and Christopf Christian Kuchler (active New Orleans, Louisiana, 1858-1866) executed upon an Etruscan pattern tea set with ram's head handles and repousse floral-decorated lids and feet, either inspired or supplied by a Baltimore maker. Unmarked (any original marks to underside have been obliterated). Coffee pot: 14" H. Teapot: 12 3/4" H. Cream pitcher: 8 1/2" H. Open sugar bowl: 7 3/4" H. 103.06 oz troy combined weight. Circa 1858.
Private Southern collection.
Condition
The set is overall in very good condition with good patina. The insulators on the coffee pot are possible replacements and the ones on the tea pot exhibit age cracks. There is some staining to the interiors of the coffee and teapots consistent with use, and scratching on the bottom exteriors of the pieces. There are some small scattered dents, most noticeably on the cream pitcher, the largest about 3/4" diameter (to side of cream pitcher and side of sugar bowl). Tip of spout of teapot slightly misshapen. Teapot lid also has dent with slight misshaping. Sugar bowl may have originally had a lid, no longer present.