Chocolate Pot

Repousse decorated, baluster- or pear-shaped teapot with double-domed, hinged lid topped by a cast banch of fruit on a domed circular foot. Ruffled C-scroll and shell reserves on both sides of seamed body are engraved with a heraldic device depicting the crest of a lion rampant erased on a coronet encircled by the motto "VITÆ VIA VIRTUS"; trailing branches of flowers and fruits fill rest of space above chased diaper- and fishscale-pattern grounds on underbelly. Broken S-curve ivory handle is pinned into a split-scroll lower socket and flared upper socket with mask on underside. Body open at S curve spout. Underside of rounded, seamed bottom is struck with five hallmarks arranged in a diamond or lozenge shape.

Maker is Alice Burrows and George Burrows II of London, England; in partnership, 1801-1819. Alice Burrows was the wife of silversmith George Burrows I (w. 1769-1799); she and her son, George II, are believed to have continued his business until 1819 when George II registered his own mark, probably following the death of his mother.

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