λ A rare Elkington & Co electroplated four piece tea and coffee set probably designed by Dr Christopher Dresser, dated 1873, model no. 16681, design registered 1885, comprising teapot with hinged cover, coffee pot and hinged cover, milk-jug and sugar basin, all on angled feet, the scroll handles and teapot spout cast with a bird motif of beaked head and claw, ivory insulators and finial knops, stamped marks, date mark M for 1873, 22cm. high.
Literature
Michael Whiteway Christopher Dresser A Design Revolution, Victoria & Albert Museum exhibition catalogue, 2004, page 207 catalogue number 277 for the original design illustrated from Elkington's silver pattern book.
Harry Lyons, Christopher Dresser The Peoples Designer, 1834-1904, Antique Collector's Club, page 193 plate 364 for the original design illustrated. model no.16681 sits comfortably within the range of Dresser's recognised designs for Elkington (including model numbers 16678 and 17912). The concealed hinge for the covers and the use of angled 'Modernist' feet show Dresser's design influence.
Woolley and Wallis would like to thank Widar Halen for his help in cataloguing this set.