A Set of Viners of Sheffield Alpha Plate Tea and Coffee Service

This set of silver-plated tea and coffee ware is manufactured by Viners of Sheffield. The collection consists of a coffee pot, a teapot, a sugar bowl, and a cream jug. Each vessel is designed in a neo-classical style, featuring a decorative cast band of scrolling foliate and floral motifs around the upper rim. The tea and coffee pots are fitted with scroll-shaped black composite handles and matching finials on the hinged lids. Every piece sits upon a stepped, circular pedestal base. The underside of the items bears a stamped manufacturer’s mark which reads CORPORATE MARK above a crown symbol and the word ALPHA. Beneath this is the text GRANTED BY THE CUTLERS COMPANY 1836 ALPHA PLATE VINERS OF SHEFFIELD ENGLAND. The reference to 1836 denotes the year the Alpha corporate mark was originally granted by the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, rather than the date of manufacture for this specific set.