I am delighted to add further sterling silver pieces by Christopher Dresser to the Collection. To my mind Dresser is without doubt the father of both modern and commercial design.  Pieces that are unequivocally designed by Dresser and of the period in sterling silver are rare.

This set is all fully and part hallmarked for Hukin and Heath, London, 1883, for whom Dresser did the original design in around 1879. The teapot carries this design registration kite mark to its base.  The set is model number 2109.

For an identical teapot design see Harry Lyons book on  Christopher Dresser page 202 plate 386. He says of a full (non stacking) picnic set that probably only the teapot and kettle were Dresser designs.  For this stacking set, which has an ingenious (if not entirely successful) innovation whereby the milk jug is used to lift out the sugar bowl, there is no doubt that it is 100 per cent by Dresser, with plated examples known carrying the  “Designed by Dr C Dresser” stamp mark..  The teapot has a fairly classical form with Japanese influence., The creamer and sugar are very modern, with no ornamentation, typical of Dresser’s work.

Condition is excellent.

Price range: £2,950

Maker: Hukin & Heath

Designer: Christopher Dresser

Date: 1883

Marks: JWH/JTH, London, “H”

Material: Sterling silver

Condition: Excellent

Size: Teapot: 16 cm wide, 8cm high

Weight: 11.9 oz, 336 grams (total)