This three-piece silver tea set was made by Benjamin Smith II, the son of an ‘ingenious chaser’ from Birmingham and one of the foremost silversmiths of his day. British silversmiths of the Regency period (1811-1829), such as Smith II, produced tea and tablewares inspired by Greco-Roman and Egyptian styles which were fashionable at this time. The decorative motifs on this set include masks, writhing snakes and acanthus leaves which are often found on Smith’s work (see CCN. 74). The set was probably sold by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, a royal goldsmithing firm which relied heavily on the output of important silversmiths active at this time. The silver supplied by the company was at the height of fashion and catered to the tastes of Britain’s wealthiest citizens.
