George Shadford Lee & Henry Wigfull
English silversmith, electro plater and Britannia metal smith
Originally based in Sheffield
1872 - 1968
Lee & Wigfull (Sheffield) - Tea Pot, Coffee Pot & Tea Caddy/Canister with lid
EPNS - Silver Plated
Design/pattern number: 0226
Hand crafted
Heavy base metal, probably copper
Electro plating is not worn anywhere
Compared to other electroplated silverware we have, these pieces look exceptional - the silver appears to be a heavy duty/high grade plating
Each item has the makers mark stamped into the base
0226
L (inside a shield) & (inside a different shield) W (inside a rectangle) S (inside a shield) then sideways stamped is EP (inside an oval)
The stamped mark in the base clearly shows it came from the Lee & Wigfull premises at Sheffield (the S)
EP sideways indicates it is electro plated
My photograph is a bit hard to see the makers mark clearly so I have included a graphic of an identical mark found online.
NOTE: On each item, there is a decorative shield on each side of the piece. On each piece one side of this shield is blank, but the other side has
the letters ER (or is it EB) carefully inserted in Old English flowing writing
We suspect these were originally presented as a very special gift, this being the reason for the engraving. It certainly seems to be nothing to do with the reign of Queen Victoria
Exact year of manufacture in the 19th Century is not clear however as Lee & Wigfull incorporated in 1899 and thereafter, Ltd appeared in their mark - these pieces are definitely pre-incorporation, so these were made sometime in the period 1872 - 1899 - during the reign of Queen Victoria.
DETAILS:
All pieces, the plating is in excellent condition - cleaned and no corrosion or plate wear. Cleaning was undertaken using baking soda/Al foil - nothing abrasive was used.
These pieces have actually sat in our cupboards for many many years, being an inherited family heirloom from a deceased estate.
TEA CADDY/CANISTER WITH LID
Two handled
Friction fit lid - not hinged
Extensive high quality handmade piece, lovely craftsmanship
A lot of flowing scrollwork, flowing is the overall design - very Victorian
Plating is not worn anywhere
No broken decorative pieces such as the handles or lid knob
Measures: 6 inches high x 7 inches across at the handles
Solid, heavy piece
We have seen others describe this piece as a sugar bowl! This piece is far too large to be a sugar bowl - it is definitely a tea caddy.
TEA POT
Large handle - handle has 4 holes top and bottom on each side to assist keeping it cool to the touch
Upright spout which includes an multi-hole filter inside to stop the tea leaves being poured along with the tea.
Extensive high quality handmade piece, lovely craftsmanship
A lot of flowing scrollwork, flowing is the overall design - very Victorian
Plating is not worn anywhere
No broken or damaged pieces such as the handle, spout, lid hinge or the knob
A couple of very small indentations to the side where it has had a knock or two during its 120 years of "life"
Inside the teapot is clean although not shining silver because of the constant exposure to the tannin from tea
Measures: 7 inches high x 9 inches handle to spout across
We comfortably can get six cups of tea from this pot - we had a "farewell ceremony" and actually used it one last time!
Solid, heavy piece
COFFEE POT
Large, long flowing handle
Long flowing upright spout
Extensive high quality handmade piece, lovely craftsmanship
A lot of flowing scrollwork, the "flow" is predominant - very Victorian and our favourite piece of the three.
Elegant and yet "strong" like a coffee should be!
Actually we think that back in the late 1800's, tea was the drink of choice for ladies and the gentlemen drank coffee, thus the masculine looking pot.
Measures: 9 inches high x 9 inches from the spout to the handle
The handle is actually two piece, with what appears to be bone between the two pieces - locked in place by two pins. The handle is solid as a rock.
Plating is not worn anywhere
No broken or damaged pieces such as the handle, spout, lid hinge or the knob
A couple of very small indentations to the side where it has had a knock or two during its 120 years of "life"
Inside the coffee pot is clean although not shining silver because of the constant exposure to the coffee but not as dark as the tea pot inside.
We comfortably can get six to eight cups of coffee from this pot - we had a "farewell ceremony" and actually used it one last time!
Solid, heavy piece
Upright and proud!
We are only offering the set of three items - the tea/coffee family will not be broken up
