silver, partly inner gilding, consisting of: teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl, of round form, straight drapery, hinged lid with sculptural floral finial, ivory handle, each with 4 feet, all pieces with engraved monogram "E" with Austrian imperial crown, height of teapot 16.5 cm, diameter of sugar bowl 17.5 cm, total gross weight 1505 g, master’s mark M & K = Stephan Mayerhofer and Klinkosch, old Viennese hallmark 1849/50, (Lu)

A magnificent personal tea set from the property of Empress Elisabeth, manufactured by the Purveyors to the Imperial and Royal Chamber Stephan Mayerhofer and Klinkosch. The tea set, along with the so-called “Elisabeth silver” in the former Court Silver and Table Chamber, was probably among the private purchases of imperial family. In this case, too, the imperial family resorted to the famous Court Purveyors Mayerhofer & Klinkosch. An identical tea set (with additional hot water kettle and rechaud) was offered and sold at last year’s auction of Imperial court memorabilia (Dorotheum catalogue, Imperial court memorabilia, auction of 18 June 2019, cat. no. 121). The present tea set has the same provenance and belongs to the tea set sold then.

Lit.:
Former Court Silver and Table Chamber, catalogue of the collection, vol. I, ed. by Ilsebill Barta-Fliedl, Peter Parenzan, Vienna 1996, cat no. 163. Sale Dorotheum, Imperial court memorabilia, 18 June 2019, cat. no. 121.

Provenance:
House of Habsburg.

The present item is subject to conservation legislation (ASA).