!! Greetings with a question!!

Hi all,
I am at wits end trying to find out what I have here. https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvidQQVRG2fBgappARnEOjBYbiXEcw?e=qSsPPF
I've been told that it's a samovar (Russain Tea Maker), but I don't think so.
Going on how a samovar works, this item is not designed the same.
The lid comes off the cavity and drink is put in. There is a spigot to serve the drink and that's it.
Samovar's work by having a heat source to heat the water/tea in the inner cavity.
Help! I've been in the "Rabbit Hole" for days now and cannot find a similar piece or even something close! Thanks for your time and "Smarts"!!

Best,
Tommy Conroy
New Jersey

 

Thanks,
I understand that!
Tommy

 

Very nice.
There should be marks on the bottom.
Appears the water spout may have been repaired?

Is there a liner inside or a tube up the center?
Yes Samovars were originally Russian tea makers with a tube up the center for the hot coals.
Apparently a lot of US companies used the term Samovar for liquid dispensers. I still have a hard time remembering that.

Silver plate mid to late 1800s.

If you could go back to the edit button, more options, Full Image, save, it would help people see your item better.

Wait for others to comment

 

I can't believe I just found the ID!!
Still can't find "Exactly" what it is, but now know the manufacturer.
The search continues!!

 

Here's a better view...

 

@DragonflyWink
Any Reed and Barton catalogs? Looks like item number is 1548

 

I have an email out to them.
I couldn't find anything on the web.
VERY EXCITED!!
I'll let you know when I find out.
Thank You!!

 

Sorry, didn't see the alert - I don't have any Reed &Barton catalogs this old, but this item is an 'ice urn', circa 1880s (could be a bit earlier or later), it should have a porcelain liner, or double-walls for insulation. I can dig later and find some catalog illustrations showing similar from other makers.

There is little point in contacting Reed & Barton, they were a family owned company until five years ago, and would often search their archives to help - but they went bankrupt, were bought by Lenox, and are now just like the other major American silver manufacturers, part of a large conglomerate...

~Cheryl

 

Cheryl,
Thank you for the response.
Funny you talk about the transition of the company, because they responded once.
I sent them pics and am still waiting for another response. Not holding my breath though
The ice bucket is double lined, not porcelain.
Question though: If it's an ice bucket, why does it have a nice brass spigot for draining and not a cheaper way to drain.
Seems like a lot of extra time and effort for a drain. Or am I not fully understanding the piece?
Tommy C.

 

It's not an ice bucket.
Believe ice urn refers to the fact that it is somewhat insulated so that ice will keep the liquid cold.
Believe it was usually meant for ice water.

 

Makes sense....but it's still a mystery.
This is the first thing ever, that I can't get concrete info on....WITH serial numbers.

 

If you are starting to collect, then this won't be your last.
You'll find information for it when you are least expecting to.
Welcome to our world

 

I'm not starting to collect. I can see the addiction though!
I'm trying to put together how, where and when this came into the family.
We are quite curious as the past generations are gone and cannot help, so finding out what and where it is from is a start. Thanks!

 

Cluttered has it right, it was used to serve ice water, no mystery...

Will post a catalog image of similar in a bit.

Please let us know if you get further response from R&B, a friend checked not too long after the acquisition and was told that they didn't have the archives and didn't provide information on antiques. It was a blow since the customer service reps from when it was still a family-owned company seemed to enjoy searching what were apparently well-organized files - the only company that still does archive-searches is Tiffany, last I checked, requiring a minimum $1000 fee.

~Cheryl

 

This ice urn from an 1885 Reed & Barton catalog is shown in Rainwater's 'American Silverplate, 3rd Ed.' (2000) - note the same kind of icicle motif border present on yours, though this one plays up the snow scenes to a much higher degree:





These two are from the 1886 Meriden Britannia catalog, the first with walrus handles, the second on a stand with drip basin and goblets:







~Cheryl

 

Very cool, thanks!
I'm guessing outside of finding someone that knows or has exactly the same, I'll have to depend on the company, yes?

 

Sorry, not understanding your question - "someone that knows" what? Exactly what are you looking for? You know who made it, its purpose, and a fairly narrow dating window...

Just for an added bit of info, the holes under the base are to allow release of condensation from between the double-walls (and one of your putti appears to be missing an instrument).

~Cheryl