Dutch silver saffron teapot

Dutch silver saffron teapot

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Charming and quite rare silver saffron pot in the neoclassical style. the elegant tapering oval body is decorated with reeded mounts and geometric wave patterns. The removable cover has a detachable finial with bead pattern border while the handle is either ebony or ebonised fruitwood.

Saffron has always been famously expensive - the world's most expensive spice by weight - and has been enjoyed for thousands of years in food preparation. From the mid-18th to mid-19th century, a few small silver teapots were produced for serving saffron tea. Saffron tea was drunk for its well-known health benefits and and although making a silver pot was commensurate with the value of the spice, given saffron's expense, only small quantities were served and the teapots became miniaturised versions of a regular teapot.

This piece was retailed by Willem Diemont (1767-1842) who started out as a registered Amsterdam silversmith in 1790 but soon became a shopholder only. Diemont sold the work of many other Amsterdam silversmiths and, as is the case with this teapot, they carried the individual maker's marks together Diemont's retailer's mark. He also imported silver from the UK and perhaps other countries. Diemont was still active until 1821 and in 1822 his son, Jan Diemont (1793-1840), took over the shop under the name W Diemont en Zoon.

Dimensions:

Height 75 mm / 3 14"
Width 145 mm / 6"
Year

1856

Place

Amsterdam

Condition

Excellent

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