Tea Service
ManufacturerManufactured by
International Silver Company
(American, founded 1898)
ManufacturerManufactured by
Wilcox Silver Plate Co.
(American, 1867 - 1961)
DesignerDesigned by
Gene Theobald
ConservatorConserved by
Wayne A. Hilt and Phyllis Hilt
(American)
Dateabout 1928
MediumPewter, Bakelite
DimensionsComponent (height x width including spout and handle x depth of a): 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 4 1/2in. (8.9 x 16.5 x 11.4cm)
Component (height x width including handle x depth including spout of b): 2 3/8 x 4 x 3 1/2in. (6 x 10.2 x 8.9cm)
Component (height including lid x width including handle x depth of c,d): 2 3/8 x 4 1/8 x 3in. (6 x 10.5 x 7.6cm)
Component (height x width including handles x depth of e): 7/8 x 13 3/8 x 5 1/2in. (2.2 x 34 x 14cm)
ClassificationsMetalware
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1987.229.0a-e
DescriptionCast pewter tea service consisting of a teapot (.a), a creamer (.b), a lidded sugar bowl (.c-.d), and a tray (.e). Each component of the set is machine polished and has black Bakelite, or plastic, handles and finials.
Teapot (.a): The teapot has a round lid with a thick, disc-shaped, black Bakelite finial in the center. A hinge at one side of the lid attaches it to the rim of teapot. The lid sits on a lip just inside the rim; the lid, hinge, and rim are all level. The body of the teapot is cylindrical, and the bottom is flat. On the side of the teapot below the hinge on the lid is a vertical, rectangular, black Bakelite handle. The top corner of the handle is squared, and the lower corner is curved. The Bakelite is inserted into a pewter rectangle and secured with nails; the rectangle is soldered to the body of the teapot. Opposite the handle is a triangular spout that covers two holes pierced through the body of the teapot. The top of the spout is partially covered, with a small opening at the front. The top edge of the teapot, to the left of the spout, is scratched. The underside of the teapot has a ring of light scratches and wear.
Creamer (.b): The creamer has a round lid with a thick, disc-shaped, black Bakelite finial in the center. A hinge at one side of the lid attaches it to the rim of creamer. The lid sits on a lip just inside the rim; the lid, hinge, and rim are all level. The body of the creamer is cylindrical, and the bottom is flat. At one side of the creamer, at a ninety degree angle to the hinge on the lid, is a vertical, rectangular, black Bakelite handle. The top corner of the handle is squared, and the lower corner is curved. The Bakelite is inserted into a pewter rectangle and secured with nails; the rectangle is soldered to the body of the creamer. On the side of the creamer, at a ninety-degree angle to the handle, is a triangular spout that covers two holes pierced through the body of the creamer. The spout is soldered to the body. The underside of the creamer has a ring of light scratches and wear.
Lidded Sugar Bowl (.c, .d): The sugar bowl has a round lid with a thick, disc-shaped, black Bakelite finial in the center. The lid sits just inside the lip at the rim of the sugar bowl. The lid, hinge and rim are all level. The body of the sugar bowl is cylindrical, and the bottom is flat. At one side is a vertical, rectangular, black Bakelite handle. The top corner of the handle is squared, and the lower corner is curved. The Bakelite is inserted into a pewter rectangle and secured with nails; the rectangle is soldered to the body of the sugar bowl. The underside of the sugar bowl has a ring of light scratches and wear.
Tray (.e): The tray is long and shaped to accommodate the wide, round teapot in the center, with the smaller creamer and sugar bowl located to either side. The tray has a horizontal rim, semi-circular sides, and a flat bottom. At each end is a black Bakelite handle that curves down slightly in the center. Each handle fits into a slot on the underside of the rim; it is held in place with small nails. The tray has four compressed, ball feet that are soldered to the underside. The top surface is lightly scratched where the teapot, creamer, and sugar bowl would rest on the tray. The rim of the tray has four deep scratches. The handles on the tray are slightly loose and have begun to fade.
NotesHistorical Note: The tea service is marked "Pewter by Wilcox", referring to the Wilcox Silver Plate Company of Meriden, Connecticut, formed in 1867. They were one of the original companies to become part of the International Silver Company in 1898. International Silver continued to use the marks of Wilcox and the other founding companies after 1898. (Hunt 8/5/2006)Teapot (.a): The teapot has a round lid with a thick, disc-shaped, black Bakelite finial in the center. A hinge at one side of the lid attaches it to the rim of teapot. The lid sits on a lip just inside the rim; the lid, hinge, and rim are all level. The body of the teapot is cylindrical, and the bottom is flat. On the side of the teapot below the hinge on the lid is a vertical, rectangular, black Bakelite handle. The top corner of the handle is squared, and the lower corner is curved. The Bakelite is inserted into a pewter rectangle and secured with nails; the rectangle is soldered to the body of the teapot. Opposite the handle is a triangular spout that covers two holes pierced through the body of the teapot. The top of the spout is partially covered, with a small opening at the front. The top edge of the teapot, to the left of the spout, is scratched. The underside of the teapot has a ring of light scratches and wear.
Creamer (.b): The creamer has a round lid with a thick, disc-shaped, black Bakelite finial in the center. A hinge at one side of the lid attaches it to the rim of creamer. The lid sits on a lip just inside the rim; the lid, hinge, and rim are all level. The body of the creamer is cylindrical, and the bottom is flat. At one side of the creamer, at a ninety degree angle to the hinge on the lid, is a vertical, rectangular, black Bakelite handle. The top corner of the handle is squared, and the lower corner is curved. The Bakelite is inserted into a pewter rectangle and secured with nails; the rectangle is soldered to the body of the creamer. On the side of the creamer, at a ninety-degree angle to the handle, is a triangular spout that covers two holes pierced through the body of the creamer. The spout is soldered to the body. The underside of the creamer has a ring of light scratches and wear.
Lidded Sugar Bowl (.c, .d): The sugar bowl has a round lid with a thick, disc-shaped, black Bakelite finial in the center. The lid sits just inside the lip at the rim of the sugar bowl. The lid, hinge and rim are all level. The body of the sugar bowl is cylindrical, and the bottom is flat. At one side is a vertical, rectangular, black Bakelite handle. The top corner of the handle is squared, and the lower corner is curved. The Bakelite is inserted into a pewter rectangle and secured with nails; the rectangle is soldered to the body of the sugar bowl. The underside of the sugar bowl has a ring of light scratches and wear.
Tray (.e): The tray is long and shaped to accommodate the wide, round teapot in the center, with the smaller creamer and sugar bowl located to either side. The tray has a horizontal rim, semi-circular sides, and a flat bottom. At each end is a black Bakelite handle that curves down slightly in the center. Each handle fits into a slot on the underside of the rim; it is held in place with small nails. The tray has four compressed, ball feet that are soldered to the underside. The top surface is lightly scratched where the teapot, creamer, and sugar bowl would rest on the tray. The rim of the tray has four deep scratches. The handles on the tray are slightly loose and have begun to fade.
Status
Not on view
