Large Antique Barbour Silver on Copper Teapot Chased Shell Scroll Cherubs

This is a highly ornate Barbour Silver Company teapot. It is silver plated chased copper. The base is marked Barbour SP Co Internal Silver S Co 3176, with the number 22 under the lid. It has an ornate motif of shells, scrolls, and a few cherubs mixed in. It is large, holding 24 ounces of water to the shoulder and more than 32 ounces to the top rim. It has a built-in strainer at the base of the spout making it useful for whole tea leaves. Because a standard size teacup is six ounces, this would be considered a four or five-cup teapot. It is in very good condition, and the lid fits well. It was well used, and the outside of the pot is worn revealing the base copper. The inside has a dark patina which should be left as is. There are a few small dings (note close-up of the handle), and the bottom foot is bent-up a whisker at the edges. It is perfectly functional or can be used as a decorative piece.

Barbour was organized in 1892 and made sterling hollowware and fine quality silver-plated hollowware. They specialized in heavily chased and engraved pieces plated on a nickel silver base, however from 1921 to 1931, the company also made an extensive line of silver plated on copper, mostly with Dutch related scenery and decorations. This piece probably dates to that period. The company closed in 1931 and the trademark was retired.