Raised, spiral-lobed, compressed globular teapot with Chinoiserie decoration, including a cast and applied S-curve dragon handle, S-curve spout springing from an inverted dragon's head at its base, and crabstock knop on the circular, hinged lid. Ten chased and repousse panels on body depict bamboo, chrysanthemums or peonies, flowering prunus branches and dragons, all on a finely-textured ground; Oriental scenes on two side panels feature a scholar in boat and two travellers on foot opposite a man with fan and three travellers riding a donkey. Thin ivory insulators. Body perforated at spout. Plain, flat bottom is struck on underside with two marks, "TC" and a Chinese ideogram, both in rounded rectangles. Part of a four-piece service, DL*62.0334A-D.
Rectangular, black-japanned bread basket or tray with flared sides, wire-rolled rim and flat bottom. Painted decoration on interior includes a wide yellow or white band above a thin yellow line that features a repeating pattern of three red cherries on a single stem attached to a seven-lobed green leaf; a yellow band overpainted with an undulating or wavy black line borders the well. Made in three pieces: bowl in two parts with separate bottom. No marks.
Oblong, boat-shaped tray with piercework border and applied beaded rim on four ball feet. Four incuse marks on underside are struck one at each side and end, all facing inward, "MOORE & LEDING" over "STERLING", "925/1000", calligraphy letters "H" and "L" separated by a raised four-leaf clover, and "854"; "718X" is scratched below quality mark.
Maker is Howard Sterling Company of Providence, RI; in business, 1891-1902. Successor firm to H. Howard & Co., 1878-1884, and Howard & Son, 1884-1891. Both produced only electroplated wares until 1886, when Howard & Son began making sterling silverware. The electroplate division was sold in 1891 and the firm renamed itself Howard Sterling Company.
Retailed by Moore & Leding, jewelers and silversmiths, of Washington, DC; in business, 1881-1899. Firm also designed souvenir spoons made for them by Gorham.