A late 19th century Anglo ? Indian silver three-piece bachelor tea service, Madras circa 1890 by P. Orr and Sons

Raj period, comprising a teapot, milk jug and twin handled sugar bowl. Each of tapering cylindrical form, upon a beaded foot rim. The waisted cavetto upper section with a beaded rim and chased stylised scroll border. The teapot with a cast and chased spout formed as the head of a mythical bird opposite a serpentine handle with twisted base the coiled lower junction sat upon by a figure, fitted with insulators. The hinged domed lid surmounted by a detachable cast finial of Vishnu. The bodies with embossed decoration of the jugganath procession at Puri design, showing the temple of Vishbakaam?s statue to Vishnu. Gilt interiors. Each marked underneath P. ORR AND SONS MADRAS SILVER. (3)

Teapot length ? 20.2 cm / 8 inches

Weight ? 1139 grams / 36.62 ozt

The design for this teapot from P. Orr and Sons sales catalogue of c. 1880 is illustrated in Wilkinson, W., (1999)., Indian Silver 1858-1947: Decorative Silver from the Indian Sub-Continent and Burma Made by Local Craftsmen in Western Forms. London, Wynyard R T Wilkinson, p. 157.