Hello everyone, I recently found this antique teapot in my collection. It appears to be silver or silver-plated, and it has the engraving “1791” on the bottom along with the marks “OMI” and “A.H.” Could anyone help me estimate its age and possible value?


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The initials and 1791 are all hand-engraved, almost certainly by the owner of the teapot, so they won’t be of any use in identifying the item. The 1791 could be a date, but it could also be just the owner’s inventory number, so again, no help. The style looks more Victorian than Georgian, so I’d guess a much later date.

The little punches in the center are the ones that were put there by the maker and/or assay office. There’s not much of them left, rubbed away by years of polishing. Not much to go on, I’m afraid. The IP would be a maker’s mark, but without knowing when and where it was made, that might be tough to track down.

The row of little vertical scratches above the initials look like the kind of scratches one would make in an effort to assay the teapot, and determine its silver content. It would be nice to know what the person who made those scratches discovered!

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Yes, the one at the bottom suggests the London crowned lion, but the one at upper left looks like a teddy bear. :laughing:

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:rofl:

IP, just guessing… London Makers Marks - IM-IR

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Dear lbr, your teapot is actually a pretty one. Made in the first half of the 18th century in The Netherlands in the city of Groningen. The maker is Jan Paping I who worked from 1723-1763. The date letter is the cartouche with a 6 and below this it should have a letter. The 6 gives us a range from 1726-1750. Valuewise (in good unrestored condition) 1000-1200 USD

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