ABERDEEN - A SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL SPIRIT KETTLE AND STAND JAMES GORDON marked IG, ABD, the spherical body with foliate and scroll decoration, twin scroll Rococo formed cartouches, both enclosing foliate initials, the cover with a flame finial, short curved spout and a leather handle, raised on a bold spirit burner base with S-scroll supports and shell feet joined by foliate and cherubic swags (35cm high, 64.2oz (all in)) Footnote: Note: The spirit kettle was arguably the height of fashion in tea services from the mid-18th century and an extravagant optional extra to the standard tea service, only commissioned by wealthy patrons and even then on rare occasions. While Edinburgh examples do survive in small numbers, most notably perhaps in the famous Hopetoun service and presented as two Leith race pieces, provincially made examples are extremely rare. This newly discovered Aberdeen example is now only the third provincially made example recorded, the other two being Glasgow made. James Gordon was a highly respected maker in Aberdeen and received many commissions for communion cups as well as tea wares, snuff boxes and salvers, etc.