Yes, another "bright shiny thing" that we have had passed to us from our extended family ... "would you mind advertising this to see if anyone can make use of it?" type of thing - we do that for family but do not trade in these things ...
HISTORY
A significant company in the world of Australian jewellery and Silversmiths, the business was based in Edwardstown, South Australia and first registered in 1937 (ASIC reference) and became well known for their quality products, supplying Harrod's of London and setting up a local British warehousing facility. Time's they are a-changing and unfortunately the company name was deregistered in 2015 (ASIC reference)
"Say La Vie" but the memory of this iconic Australian company remains ...
Let's get down to some details ...
Quite frankly, the condition of this teapot is stunning (very much like the matching creamer jug we also had passed to us ... that is advertised separately) It is truly "like new" and while I did have to give it a "buff up" because it was in their house, lonely and forgotten, it has spruced up beautifully. NO surface scratching anywhere, the inside looks as though it has never seen a drop of water/tea and Oh my goodness! the original tag was hanging off the handle!
RANLEIGH - Teapot With Hinged Lid
Made in South Australia
Circa 1960's period
The makers identification is on the underside "stick on" metallic label, there are no impressions in the metal anywhere, additionally this was handed to me by the extended family relative with the ORIGINAL removable hanging tab fitted. Apparently they never used this teapot at all.
Silverplate (E.P.N.S) Grade A1
Four foot design
Hinged lid
DIMENSIONS:
Stands 225mm high, including the top ornate lid handle
115mm diameter body (at the widest point)
True "bottom feeding" teapot spout with filter holes inside (to catch those renegade tea leaves, although a strainer is a good idea to use at the same time - ever tried fishing out those tea leaves floating in your cup?)
Large, easy to hold handle - this is very good because this teapot is no lightweight!
Weight: 975g (without water/tea inside!)
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED (I must say this although this teapot looks particularly "unused" with no signs of use or even handling over the last 50+ years!)
CLEAN
Very high lustre (Oh you bright shiny thing, you!)
NO surface scratches observed at all - just as though it left the works 60+ years ago!
NO pitting or oxide "spotting" at all
There are NO dents or damage caused through normal or careless handling
Yes, this 60 year old teapot doesn't naturally look so bright and shiny! Old Silver never does but I have given it the Bicarb/Aluminium foil treatment (not easy with a large oddly shaped item like this!) and it has come up extremely well - exceptional in fact!
To preserve the current condition, I have placed the teapot within a completely sealed clear plastic packaging (airtight) in the hope of reducing any tarnishing to the metalwork. Some people (Patina purists) seem to like their Silver/Silverplate with the built up patina intact, we don't! How on earth could someone pour themselves a cuppa with a "dirty looking" teapot?!?! Beggars belief ...
SPECIAL NOTE: We discount the cost of shipping anywhere around Australia ... this means that if this teapot is selected in the checkout area, the cost of standard post will show as A$9 only ... Keep in mind, if you also added the companion Creamer Jug, this would push the order value over A$75 and shipping would be absolutely FREE around Australia.
