Harvey Lewis Antique Coin Silver 5 Piece Tea Service, Philadelphia, 1811-1828

Harvey Lewis was a famous and important Philadelphia silversmith whose works are represented in many major museums. This rare classical 5-piece coffee service is stunning.  Entirely hand raised, it consists of two tea pots, a creamer, a covered sugar bowl and a waste bowl.  Two tea pots is a Mid-Atlantic tradition - one pot for China tea, one for India tea.  (Although we are fairly certain one or both pots have done duty for coffee.)

Bold scroll handles have decorative applied leaves acting as thumb pieces. Classical spreading acanthus leaves with blossoming flower finials decorate the hinged covers to the pots and the cover to the sugar bowl.

Beautiful beading is used around the openings of all the pieces and around the shoulders and stepped pedestal bases. Applied around the midsections are stunning traveling grapevines with large bunches of grapes.

All pieces of this service are marked twice underneath 'H. LEWIS' within rectangular punches and behind the rims of the feet 'HARVEY.LEWIS' again in rectangular punches. Due to the shape of the creamer foot, it does not have the extra mark. The largest pot measures 10.5 inches across the handle and spout by 9.25 inches high. The service has a impressive total weight of 131.95 troy ounces and has never been monogrammed. It is in beautiful antique condition with very slight dings on the larger pot handle and replaced wooden insulators on both handles.