Arthur Stone Silver 6 Piece Decorated Arts & Crafts Hand Wrought Coffee and Tea Service, 1921-27

This stunning art nouveau six piece coffee and tea service was entirely hand wrought in the shop of Arthur Stone in Gardner, Massachusetts. Of classic colonial and art nouveau inspiration, this service has the beautiful light planishing marks and soft finish for which Stone's shop is so famous. Decorated holloware is quite rare and this service is an exceptional example of the artistry in silver by Arthur Stone.

Consisting of a hot water kettle on stand, coffee pot, tea pot, covered sugar bowl, cream jug and waste bowl, this wonderful service is decorated with scenes of iris flowers. These groupings of three flowers exhibit some of the finest chasing we have seen with extraordinary detail. Even the burner of the hot water kettle which is normally plain carries the same floral decorations.

Graceful lines, beautiful proportions and substantial weight complete the overall design.

Stone ran one of the most important arts & crafts shops in the country. Items were hand made using traditional silversmithing techniques.

An innovator, Stone let the other masters who worked for him sign the items they made. The kettle, stand and burner were raised by Arthur Hartwell, the two pots in this set were made by Herbert Taylor and the creamer, covered sugar and waste were made by Earl Underwood. (It was common for more than one master to collaborate on a Stone service.) Underwood and Hartwell were both Master Craftsman within the Society of Arts & Crafts in Boston. The only rank higher than Master Craftsman was that of Medalist, the rank which Herbert A. Taylor achieved. For more information on Stone see Arthur J. Stone, 1847-1938: Designer and Silversmith by Elenita Chickering.

Each piece is marked underneath with the Stone trademark, 'STERLING', and the master marks for the above mentioned masters. The kettle measures 13.5 inches high and the set weighs 137.50 troy ounces. It is in excellent antique condition.