Antique Sheffield Silver Plate Teapot by Maurice Baum c.1900

A wonderfully decorative Antique Sheffield Silver Plate Teapot by Maurice Baum, dating from around 1900 and beautifully capturing the elegance of the late Victorian and early Edwardian period.   Made in Sheffield from silver-plated Britannia metal, this handsome teapot features a graceful melon-shaped body standing on four feet, richly engraved with floral wreaths, geometric borders and exotic Aesthetic Movement decoration inspired by the Oriental and Persian designs that were so fashionable at the turn of the twentieth century. It retains its original hinged lid with decorative finial, elegant scroll handle, while the silver plate has mellowed naturally over the decades to a beautiful soft charcoal patina that gives the piece enormous warmth and character. Better still, it has been tested and is completely watertight, making it perfectly usable should you wish, although it looks equally at home displayed on a Welsh dresser, sideboard or country kitchen shelf.   There is one small shallow dent together with light age-related wear to the silver plate, entirely consistent with a genuine antique that has enjoyed over a century of careful use. A charming and increasingly sought-after decorative piece of English silver plate that combines craftsmanship, practicality and timeless appeal.