Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Domed Teapot or Coffee Pot Lid
Tea Service (Replacement Lid) · Likely American or Scandinavian Silversmith in the tradition of Georg Jensen or Gorham/Wallace, known for minimalist hollowware.
Pattern: Minimalist High-Polish Plain Pattern; common in post-war 1950s modernist collections.
Type
Tea Service (Replacement Lid)
Maker
Likely American or Scandinavian Silversmith in the tradition of Georg Jensen or Gorham/Wallace, known for minimalist hollowware.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity) based on surface luster and common manufacturing standards for this form.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter 2.5–3.5 inches; estimated weight 30–60 grams based on gauge; standard teapot lid size.
Description
A replacement sterling silver lid for a teapot or coffee pot featuring a low-profile dome and a high-reflective mirror finish. It represents the mid-century shift toward functional simplicity.
Key Features
Drilled center hole for finial attachment, steam vent hole, high-domed profile, and undecorated surface.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity) based on surface luster and common manufacturing standards for this form.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish, plain surface, undecorated to emphasize the modernist form and silhouette.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Marks are typically located on the inner rim or underside flange (not visible in image); expected to include 'STERLING' and a maker's mark.
Construction Details
Spun or raised silver from a flat sheet, finished with mechanical polishing; features a single drilled steam vent hole.
Functional Features
Central steam vent hole to prevent pressure buildup; would have included a finial (knob) originally; fitted with an inner flange for seating.
Handle & Grip Details
Finial/knob is missing; central hole indicates it was previously attached via a screw or silver rivet.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-polished but hand-finished on the underside flange; shows high symmetry characteristic of mid-20th-century quality control.
Authentication Indicators
Surface oxidation consistent with silver; clean edges of holes indicate high-quality material; lack of plating wear suggests solid sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States or Denmark; manufactured in a factory or workshop utilizing late-stage industrial silversmithing techniques.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (1945-1970); identified by the lack of ornamentation and focus on geometric curvature.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1965 based on the streamline aesthetic and precision of the vent hole.
Cultural Significance
Mid-century hollowware reflected the post-war desire for clean, easy-to-clean surfaces that moved away from fussy Victorian ornamentation.
Condition Notes
Good structural condition but functionally incomplete due to missing finial; heavy surface scratching and micro-abrasions from improper storage.
Value Estimate
$40–$80 as a replacement part; significantly higher if reunited with the original hallmarked pot.
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with Wright's Silver Cream to remove micro-scratches; store in Pacific Silvercloth to prevent tarnish.
Similar Pieces
Jensen 'Bernadotte' or Gorham 'Modernist' line lids; differ in specific dome height and steam hole placement.
Interesting Facts
The steam vent hole is a critical safety feature in silver hollowware to prevent the 'pulsing' of the lid during boiling.