Need help identifying Antique Sterling Silver Teapot Marks

[bswend]

I have a family member that is looking to sell their antique teapots. I talked them into waiting to see if I could find an approx.  value before they took them to sell.  I'd hate to see her ripped off.   I apologize for the picture quality as these were sent via phone.  Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much! Sandy

1st Teapot "Front"1st Teapot "Back"1st Teapot Top1st Teapot Markings2nd Teapot "Front"2nd "Back"2nd "Front"2nd Teapot Marks

[sonomabarn67]

It's sterling and looks to be 18th century. Can't you get better pictures? A close up of the figure on the lid/the base, etc... Under the lid...

[sonomabarn67]

After sifting through your pictures, I highly recommend sending your pictures to a major auction house. The one  with the coat of arms is a zinger and will have a very high value.

[worldcoinauctions]

I can't see your marks super well but looks like it was made in London by John Alderhead in 1773. I would not sell for silver value but contact a fairly serious auction house. Not a minor piece.

[lacemaker3]

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@bswend wrote:

I have a family member that is looking to sell their antique teapots. I talked them into waiting to see if I could find an approx.  value before they took them to sell.  I'd hate to see her ripped off.   I apologize for the picture quality as these were sent via phone.  Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much! Sandy

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1st Teapot Markings

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I agree with @sonomabarn67, these appear to be British sterling from the last quarter of the 18th century. They are potentially quite valuable.

G A & Co -- this has been attributed to George Ashworth & Company, on several auction websites. Active late 18th - early 19th century, and listed here (without any pictures).

https://www.silvercollection.it/Englishsilvermarks3G.html

Lion passant -- the mark for British sterling

Crown -- the mark for the Sheffield assay office

[date mark] -- Flourished "Old English"  capital letters were used at the Sheffield assay office between 1773 to 1791. I can't identify the letter for certain, but this might be the date code for 1782?

https://www.silvercollection.it/englishsilverhallmarksSHE.html

2nd "Front"2nd Teapot Marks

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I have not been able to identify whose arms these are. You can't tell the colors when the arms are engraved like this, but they would be described as: A fesse with three arrows thereon and three crossbows. I believe that for the arrows, point-downward is the default position, and for the crossbows, it's point upwards, like these are. If there is a motto inscribed on it, that might be a way to identify who the arms belonged to.

The marks have already been interpreted by @worldcoinauctions. I can't tell from the picture if the "S" date mark in a shield would be for 1793, 1813, or 1833. The latter two years sometimes included a duty mark though (bust of the reigning king).

https://www.silvercollection.it/englishsilverhallmarks.html

[bswend]

Hi, I'm not in possession of these teapots. These pictures were sent to me my phone texts. I appreciate your help. Sounds like she needs to find a reputable auction house. Problem is they are in the heartland of America. Don't think any would be super close.  

[bswend]

Thanks so much for your help.  I'll encourage her to find reputable auction house.  Going to be hard in the center of the USA?

[bswend]

You're awesome for helping.  Going to encourage her to find reputable auction house.  Thanks!!!

[sonomabarn67]

It does not matter if you are in Ohio, Nebraska, or Zambia, your two 18th century silver tea/coffee pots have a good chance of being welcomed for sale at one of the silver specialist sales at one of the major houses. They handle everything on high quality sales and your items are high quality. $

You do need to get the marks, dates and provenance nailed down and there are a number of folks on this board right here that can help you that on those aspects before you contact anyone else at this point. The only way can get ripped off is if you sell them in the Middle Of America without letting anyone know they are for sale.

[sonomabarn67]

Ask your friend if they might have any provenance (belonged to anyone long famous)

[sonomabarn67]

Again, not hard at all because of the internet.

[lacemaker3]

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@lacemaker3 wrote:

2nd Teapot Marks

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The marks have already been interpreted by @worldcoinauctions. I can't tell from the picture if the "S" date mark in a shield would be for 1793, 1813, or 1833. The latter two years sometimes included a duty mark though (bust of the reigning king).

https://www.silvercollection.it/englishsilverhallmarks.html

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I found a couple of possibilities for the maker's mark. The picture above is not really clear enough, although I am inclined towards Joseph Ash I, because of the thickness of the letters. An expert should be able to make a definite identification, when they have the teapot in hand. If the date mark can be clearly identified, that might help to determine which maker this should be attributed to. The lion passant and the London assay mark are fairly clear.

https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/London-IA-ID.html

[sonomabarn67]

My two cents on the maker; I vote for John Alderhead based on the style of the pot and, the stamp.

For the OP, the letter J was frequently stamped as an I in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

[bswend]

I wanted to thank you for your help!!! My brother's mother-in-law who is almost 90 is having a difficult time dealing with the auction houses.   I will be putting these up for auction this week.  

Sandy

[bswend]

Thank you for your help!  I am going to help my brother's mother-in-law with these as she is having hard time dealing with auction houses.  She is almost 90 and says they are asking for deposit $ to handle them!  

Sandy