PREFACE
A prime example of Australiana! A Phoenix (Imperial) Silver plate teapot.
This very nicely proportioned teapot was made by Phoenix Manufacturing in Melbourne, this Imperial product was a trademark used from 1932 onwards by the company. The company were producers of high quality electro-plated tableware for the Australian marketplace, heavy plating thickness (A1) and using pure Broken Hill Silver. All of their equipment was Australian designed and made, they were not just a branch of an English or American Silversmith. The company enjoyed considerable success during the 1920 ~1930's period, especially as imported Silverplate was becoming difficult for the public to access due to wartime restrictions. Eventually all good things come to an end and the company wound up in the mid 1960's
At this time, tea was considered to be the Australian national beverage due to its low cost (taxed at lower rates) and abundant supply from India.
This is another piece of Silver plate tableware that I have been handed by an extended family member, with the purpose of finding a new home for it to live in - it's "brother" is the eight "seater" smokers dish from the same company that I have already advertised.
Enough of the background, here is a detailed description of this teapot
PHOENIX MANUFACTURING - Teapot
Made in Melbourne, Australia
Imperial Series
Circa 1930's ~ 1940's
Another piece which, quite frankly, I was stunned at the condition after almost 100 years on this earth! Teapots are well ... teapots and they get used pretty often but this teapot has stood the test of time remarkably well.
The design is in the genre of Victoriana - Art Deco blending with stylised curves and very well proportioned with that nice smoothly curving S spout and the adorned handle, straight sides and a bulbous base. But wait, there's more ... the lid has a lovely little button handle which is made from Black bakelite, an early form of modern plastics.
Series name: Imperial (used from 1932 onwards)
Finish: Silver Plate (E.P.N.S A1 Grade) Phoenix manufactured A1 using 18% Nickel Silver with a nice heavy plating which was much more durable than "other" Silver-plated wares and the condition attests to this.
Identification:
Stamped into the underside of the teapot
DIMENSIONS:
185mm (just over 7") height x 210mm wide (spout tip to handle edge)
In the world of teapots, this is not small but then again it is not large either - nice proportions
495g weight
COSMETIC CONDITION:
DTNS RATING: 8.5/10 (Darling! That's Nice Silverware!)
CLEAN
Minor surface scratches or marks to the sides and base underside, these are the result of normal handling, cleaning and general everyday use.
NO dents at all
NO physical damage to the teapot i.e the spout or handle are not misaligned or bent
NO damage to the lid hinge, very often these hinges become 'sloppy' but this hinge is nice and tight
NO damage to the top lid bakelite knob - I have checked the material this Black knob is made from, it definitely bakelite (love the smell of formaldehyde in the morning!)
I noticed just the slightest marks from oxidisation 'spotting' on the outside, in one area of the joint where the main body of the teapot meets the bulbous base, but this is only VERY LIGHT and not extensive.
The underside is fine and the Phoenix stamping is clearly visible
Inside the teapot, Oh yes there has been some surface oxidisation and I have tried to show this in one of the photographs. Notice the Green colouring, that indicates the presence of Copper in the metalware.
I have carefully cleaned the teapot and ensured it is sterile (Baking Soda treatment) and Yes, I poured myself a cuppa! I wanted to make sure I could not taste anything from that oxidisation inside - all negative here, nice Bushells cuppa too!
Nice example of vintage Australiana, from a well known and respected Silver electroplating company of yester-year.
