This is an absolutely stunning and immaculate late Victorian Art Nouveau Cased Tea set comprising six Gilt bowl teaspoons, a pair of sugar tongs, and a Gilt bowl Strainer ladle, all fully hallmarked for Birmingham 1900 by the Birmingham Silversmith William Davenport

SPOONS : Each spoon has a 'double struck' cast finial (the pattern is on both sides) with beaded edging and a vacant cartouche. The terminal has an Art Nouveau design depicting a stylized flower. The stem has a 'barley twist' ending in a small extended Drop, and the bowl has a very light Gilding with a full set of hallmarks on the reverse.

SUGAR TONGS : The tongs have the same design as the spoons with a full set of hallmarks on the inside 'bend'. The bowls are not Gilded, and there is no extended Drop.

TEA STRAINER : The strainer is of a ladle shape, with the same design as the spoons. The Gilded bowl has ruffled edge design with intricate piercing and full hallmarks on the reverse.

CASE : The case is wooden with a faux leather covering. The interior has a dark blue Silk lining, with a fully fitted velvet base. The hinge and clasp are fine.

HALLMARKS : lion passant(for English 925 Sterling), anchor (town mark for Birmingham), date letter 'a' (for 1900) and makers mark 'WD' (for William Davenport)

DIMENSIONS : The strainer and tongs both measure 3 and 1/2" / 9cm in length, and the spoons are 4" / 10cm in length. The case is 7" x 6 1/2" (18 x 16.5cm)

WEIGHT : total Silver weight is 62.9 grammes, 2.22 oz, or 2.02 Troy.

CONDITION : Silver is Excellent, no loss of the very light Gilding to the bowls makes me believe that this set has RARELY been used, Hallmarks are perfect and crisp. The exterior of the case has a little scuffing to the base and some bumping to the corners, (extremely good for its 107 years !).

CONCLUSION : This is a scarce late Victorian Art Nouveau teaspoon set, by a respected Birmingham Silversmith (William Davenport was known to produce pieces between 1888 and 1902), in excellent condition. What makes it so unusual is the condition, the 'double struck' cast terminal (I've only seen a few Davenport set's, and they have all had 'single struck' terminals), and the inclusion of a Tea Strainer (which is very unusual, as strainers were usually sold as seperate pieces - it's rare to find one as a part of a matching set, in a custom fitted case).