A French silver five-piece tea and coffee service and tray, Joseph Chaumet for Chaumet & Cie, Paris, circa 1918

the vase-shaped bodies applied, embossed and chased with husk festoons, laurel sprays and other motifs, engraved with the initials 'ARP' in monogram, comprising: tea pot, coffee pot, milk jug, covered sugar basin and tea urn and cover on massive electroplate stand complete with detachable burner, ivory handles and stand supports, engraved or stamped 'J. Chaumet, Paris'

Good condition.
"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."

This tea service and the accompanying lots in this sale formed part of a service commissioned in 1917 from Chaumet & Co, the Parisian jewellers, by Simón Iturri Patiño (1862-1947), the mining pioneer known as ‘el Rey del Estaño’ (the King of Tin), for his wife Albina Rodriguez (c. 1873-1953).

Chaumet, the celebrated Parisian jeweller, is said to have been established in the late 18^th Century by Marie-Etienne Nitot (1750-1809). His son and successor, François-Regnault Nitot was in turn succeeded by Jean-Baptiste Fossin (1786-1809). The latter was eventually joined by his son, Jules-Jean- François Fossin (1808-1869) and during the reign of Louis-Philippe the firm (by then styled Fossin & Fils) was appointed ‘joilliers du Ruoi et de famille royale.’ The Fossins, father and son, retired respectively in 1845 and 1862, after which the business was continued by Jean-Prosper Morel (1825-after 1891), son of the jeweller and goldsmith, Jean-Valentin Morel (1794-1860). Prosper Morel’s son-in-law, Joseph Chaumet (1852-1928) took control of the firm in 1889. He opened a London branch of Chaumet in 1905 and today the firm continues with further boutiques and outlets in Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong, Moscow and elsewhere.