Marshall Field & Co. Sterling Silver Arts & Crafts Tea Ball and Stand, Chicago, 1903-1920s

It is rare to find a tea ball with its original stand. This cute set features a tea ball with a hinged cover, complete with a hanging loop and chain, and small, all-over pierced holes. The stand has a raised saucer with an applied band around its edge and a cup to hold the tea ball. Wonderful hammering decorates both items, giving them a great, sparkling surface.

Marshall Field & Company was one of Chicago's most famous retail stores and makers of arts & crafts silver. "Field's started with a wholesale line...including arts and crafts silver and jewelry. From c. 1903, hand-hammered Colonial silver marked with a distinctive 925/000 represented Field's wholesale line, and pieces often bear the names of the retail stores as well." (1)

Both pieces are marked with the 925/000 mark and along with the model number 102 on the stand. The stand measures just under 4 inches in diameter, and the tea ball resting in its cup is 2.5 inches high. The set weighs 3.05 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition. 

Endnote:

1. Darcy L. Evon, HAND WROUGHT Arts & Crafts Metalwork & Jewelry 1890-1940, (Atglen, PA, Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 2013), p. 126-135.