A George III three-piece silver tea set, Robert & David Hennell, London, 1798

bright-cut engraved, wood handle and finial, comprising a teapot and stand, sugar bowl, a milk jug, engraved with coat-of-arms and crest, gilt interior

Acquired from Bracher & Sydenham, Reading, 14 November 1953.

teapot: small dents to body on one side, crest and coat-of-arms worn, hole in the lid. clear hallmarks sugar bowl: hallmarks partly legible, crisp engraving of bright cut ornament, crest and coat-of-arms, one solder repair at junction of body and base in one corner. Stand: surface scratches commensurate with age. wood base. clear hallmarks apart form maker's mark. milk jug: crisp bright-cut engraving, coat-of-arms and crest, hallmarks partly legible.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The arms are those of Gore quartering Browne, Smyth and Tooker (Tucker) with Langton in pretence for William Gore (1760-1847) of Kiddington Park, Oxford, and Newton St. Loe, Somerset, son of Edward Gore (d. 1801) and his wife, Barbara (née Browne, 1729-1801). Gore, who for many years was a colonel in the Oxford Militia, was married first in 1783 at Tilehurst, near Reading, to Bridget, only child and heiress of Joseph Langton of Newton Park, after which he assumed by royal licence the additional name of Langton; and second in 1800 to Mary, only daughter of John Browne of Salperton, Gloucestershire. Gore-Langton was also MP for Somerset from 1795 to 1806 and again from 1812 to 1826; for Tregony from 1808 to 1812; and for Somerset East from 1832 until his death in 1847.