Rare Meriden Britannia 'Hunt Scene' Silverplated Victorian Tea Caddy

In the realm of American silver the notion prevails that the finest and most elegant pieces were rendered in sterling, with "lesser" items produced in silverplate.

This 4 3/4" tall, 3" diameter, tea caddy marked for the outstanding 19th century Connecticut manufacturing firm of Meriden Britannia is disabusing of this idea.

Cylindrical in form, the entire body is contoured in a dense, raised respousse acanthus leaf design.

Three figures are incorporated within this matrix.

One is the torso of a bearded and capped hunter aiming a raised rifle. He is rising from amid the leaves as if from a blind.

At a distance is a hairy pawed, muscular lion or cougar with head cocked backward, clearly aware that it is the object of pursuit and fully on guard.

A fearless looking hunting dog is situated in an aggressive but wary stance between the man and the lion.

The scene in the whole is dramatically dynamic, and in its artfulness transcends the inert nature of its metallic medium.

The lid is round, 1 3/4" in diameter and shows the same repousse leaf design on the top as the body does. It fits loosely, which is intentional.

The work in its entirety is finely rendered, executed with great detail, and all set against a stippled or textured background.

In excellent condition, this is without bends, dents, or any apparent loss of the plating. The underside is stamped "Quadruple Plate," which is the highest level of plating generally used on American silver, and this added thickness of silver may account for the lack of evident polishing wear.

Other marks besides the maker's and the "Quadruple Plate" include model number "26" and "U.S.A."