Spectacular Coffee Set in Portuguese Silver. S.XIX

Spectacular Portuguese Silver Coffee Set. S.XIX. Incredible piece of beautiful workmanship composed of tray, coffee pot, teapot, sugar bowl and pitcher. Great tray of sinuous profile chiseled forming vegetal decoration with scrolls and shells of incredible detail. The interior is decorated with a fine engraved decoration in perfect harmony with the exterior decoration. The different objects that make up this set follow the same stylistic parameters, based on turnstones, scallops and beautiful scrolls in a wide variety of sizes, which intertwine to form exquisite and decorative compositions. The decoration on the marked inverted pear-shaped bodies and, of course, the magnificent handles with their undulating profile formed by superimposing scrolls, undoubtedly stand out. The spouts of the coffee pot and the teapot are chiseled with an original zoomorphic shape that further embellishes this incredible piece. The spectacular lids of the coffee pot, the teapot and the sugar bowl continue with the vegetal style and are crowned by a fine finial ending in a small ball. Piece with the contrasts of the city of Oporto, Portugal, which attest to its value and location. Both coffee, tea and chocolate were very expensive drinks in the early times, hence they were only taken by the higher classes of society, largely because only these high status people could afford these magnificent tea, coffee and chocolate sets, made with expensive materials such as silver. In a short period of time tea, coffee and chocolate sets were in great demand, accompanied by all kinds of utensils such as sugar bowls, teaspoons, jugs, tongs, strainers, boxes or trays. At the end of the 19th century, the demand for complete sets such as this example began to increase. The shapes of this type of pieces are very varied, according to the style of the time. In addition, the shapes and the amount of utensils that accompany the teapots or coffee pots, make them one of the most decorative pieces as far as silver is concerned. The most outstanding style changes are developed in legs, handles and lids, with the most beautiful sinuous shapes as we find in this spectacular piece. A truly spectacular unique piece, desired by many, but which can only have one owner. Measurements: 65 x 35 cm (tray); between 20 and 29 cm (height of the pieces). Weight: 4,600 Kg.