Stunning English Sterling Silver Pair Loving Cups Mappin & Webb

Description

RARE PAIR OF ENGLISH STERLING SILVER CUPs
A WONDERFUL MATCHED PAIR OF LOVING CUPS FROM BRITISH SILVERSMITH MAPPIN & WEBB.
DETAILED WORKMANSHIP IN HEAVY GAUGE STERLING WITH CAREFUL ATTENTION TO DETAIL, MAKE THESE TRULY A SPECIAL FIND.   GORGEOUS CIRCULAR REPOUSSE BODY WITH GENTLY FLARED LIP.
A CONTINUOUS REPOUSSE PATTERN OF GRADUATED LEAFY BOWERS  ENTWINED AND TOPPED WITH BERRIES, ON A HAND MOTTLED BACKGROUND.  TOWARDS THE BASE ARE FINE VERTICAL LINES THAT BORDER A SCROLL AND CROW FEET PATTERN, CULMINATING IN AN EXTENDED FLAT AND  BEADED EDGE.  EACH CUP HAS THREE HANDLES TOPPED WITH FIGURAL BEARDED HEADS IN CAPS.
SLENDER CURVED HANDLES TAPER WITH A FLORAL BUTTON INTO A CLASSIC CARVED BLOCK FEET.  EVEN THE INTERIOR PARTS OF EACH HANDLE ARE CARVED AND ENGRAVED.  THE INTERIOR OF EACH CUP IS IN AS NEW CONDITION WITH NO PITTING, POCKS, OR SPOTS, AMAZING CONSIDERING ALMOST 120 YEAR OLD.
CLEARLY PUNCHED WITH THE CLASSIC ENGLISH HALLMARKS OF A LION PASSANT FOR BRITISH SILVER, ASSAYED STAMP OF THE LEOPARDS HEAD FOR LONDON, AND DATE STAMPS OF "T" AND "U" FOR 1894-5.  PROBABLY MADE IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY OF TWO YEARS AS EACH PIECE MAY HAVE TAKEN MORE THAN 30 DAYS TO CREATE.  THE MAKERS MARK OF    J.N.H. WITHIN A SHIELD  IS FOR JOHN NEWTON MAPPIN WHO ONLY CREATED PIECES FOR 10 YEARS .  EACH CUP STAMPED ON THE BASE MAPPIN & WEBB, LONDON AND A UNIQUE PUNCH OF A SMALL CROSS.
THESE GORGEOUS CUPS STAND 4 INCHES TALL AND 3 AND 1/2 INCHES WIDE AND WEIGH 178 GRAMS EACH FOR A TOTAL WEIGHT OF 350 GRAMS (11.5OZ)
Bowl, box, buckle, caddy spoon, claret jug, creamer, flatware, mug, napkin ring, salt, tazza, teapot, vanity jar top
Royal Cutlery Works, Norfolk Street, Sheffield
1887..1897
(registered Oct 1886)           Mappin & Webb (John Newton Mappin)
SHIPPING TO THE CONTINENTAL 48 BY USPS PRIORITY MAIL WITH TRACKING AND DELIVERY CONFIRMATION IS