Teapot

Part of a four piece tea service comprising two teapots, creamer, and covered sugar bowl. Teapot of raised round body divided by lobed melon reeding. Die-rolled foliage-and-blossom borders applied at edge of base, cover, shoulder, and body-base juncture, on stepped circular pedestal base. Spout cast in vertical halves in form of clasped hands holding nautilus shell. Hollow cast S-scroll handle with foliate furl, upper handle terminal in form of clasped hands holding a shell in leafage alternating with twelve-petaled flowers, and cast finial in form of basket of flowers. Inscription: Engraved on body: S.S.S. Engraved on base: S.S.C. Mark: Marked on underside of base: B. GARDINER.