Silver Tea Pot
Touch Mark of George Aiken (1765-1832)
Baltimore, Maryland
Circa 1795
11” tall
Commentary: The beginnings of George Aiken’s career as Baltimore silversmith can be dated as early as 1787 when he advertised his establishment on Calvert Street as a goldsmith and jeweler. Although born in Philadelphia, his entire working life seems to have been spent in Baltimore where he was active until at least 1823. Pleasant and Sill judged Aiken’s work “excellent both in design and workmanship.” The teapot is of the neoclassical urn form and is diagonally mounted on a raised, square base.
touch mark
This tea pot was found together with a sugar urn of very similar style by Charles Louis Boehme, also of Baltimore, and bearing identical monograms WAC. The two pieces could have been ordered to form a set but from separate silversmiths or brought together at a later date when the monograms could have been added.
Condition: Period engraved initials. Excellent overall condition with an old repair to the hinge and a rather charming early silver reinforcement added to the handle.
Price: sold
