A large and impressive Georgian / Regency Old Sheffield Plate covered sauce tureen, dating to the early 19th century, circa 1810–1830, acquired from a private estate and offered with a later associated electroplated ladle.
The tureen is of elegant boat-shaped form, raised on an oval pedestal foot and fitted with tall swept reeded handles to either side. The body has reeded borders, a shaped domed cover with central knop finial, and foliate leaf terminals where the handles meet the body. The cover is formed with a shaped aperture for a ladle, allowing the piece to display beautifully when assembled.
The tureen is catalogued as Old Sheffield Plate / silver plate over copper. The surface shows extensive age-related wear to the silvering, revealing warm copper beneath. This gives the piece a rich country-house appearance and strong decorative presence, with an honest, unrestored estate patina.
The cover is incised with the number 2159, likely a pattern, inventory or workshop number. The body and cover also carry small corresponding punched marks.
The accompanying ladle is a later associated electroplated example, marked JD&S EP A with a crown device, probably for James Deakin & Sons, Sheffield. The ladle terminal bears an engraved period monogram, apparently JLB. The ladle is included with the tureen and displays well with the piece, though it should be regarded as associated rather than original to the tureen.
A substantial and atmospheric early 19th-century style serving piece, ideal for decorative display on a sideboard, dining table, dresser or within a traditional country-house interior.
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Condition
Decorative antique condition, with heavy age-related wear.
The tureen shows extensive rubbing and loss to the silvered surface throughout, exposing copper beneath. This is visible across the cover, body, pedestal foot, handles, rims, interior and raised areas. There is tarnish, surface scratching, oxidation, discolouration, small knocks, edge wear, rubbed high points and general signs of age, handling and use.
The cover finial has a visible split/open seam to the knop. The lid, body and handles show typical wear from long-term use and historic cleaning. The surface has not been aggressively restored and retains an attractive aged estate patina.
The later associated ladle is electroplated, marked JD&S EP A, with surface scratches, tarnish, rubbing and an engraved monogram to the terminal.
Please study all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.
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Details
Object: Covered sauce tureen / sauce boat Main material: Old Sheffield Plate / silver plate over copper Ladle: Later associated electroplated ladle Ladle maker: Probably James Deakin & Sons, Sheffield Ladle mark: JD&S EP A with crown device Ladle monogram: Apparently JLB Form: Boat-shaped, twin-handled, footed Decoration: Reeded borders and foliate handle terminals Period: Georgian / Regency Date: c.1810–1830 for the tureen; later 19th century for the ladle Provenance: From a private estate Number: 2159 incised to cover Sold with: Cover and associated ladle
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Measurements & Weight
Tureen
Height: 26.5 cm Width handle to handle: 36 cm Depth: 16.5 cm Weight: 1470 g
Ladle
Length: 17.5 cm Bowl width: 6.2 cm Weight: 76 g
Combined weight: approximately 1546 g
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Collector Appeal
This is a substantial and highly decorative example of Regency-period tableware, with elegant proportions, swept handles, reeded borders and warm copper showing through the worn Old Sheffield Plate surface.
The piece has the kind of honest country-house patina increasingly sought after by decorative antiques buyers and interior collectors. Its scale gives it real presence, while the worn silvered finish, exposed copper, numbered cover and associated period-style ladle all contribute to its atmospheric private-estate character.
Although the tureen shows considerable age-related wear, including heavy plate loss and a split to the cover finial, it remains a handsome and highly displayable antique object with strong decorative appeal.