A cased set of three George II silver-gilt tea caddies in sizes, maker's mark only, John Le Sage, London, circa 1725

oblong bodies with re-entrant corners, flat-chased bands of shells and scrolls on matted ground, hinged covers with shell handles,  together with six unmarked silver-gilt teaspoons with openwork-scroll terminals and a pair of silver-gilt sugar nips, maker's mark only of Francis Harrache of London, circa 1740, fitted black fishskin case

The shagreen caddy with some wear to all corners. The front right hand side of the lid is cracked and slightly mis-shapen. The front of the caddy is slightly warped around the bottom edge of the lid and the lock and the shagreen is lifting and torn slightly, particularly to the left hand side. The hinges appear to be later replacements and the shagreen has been rather crudely cut around them on the lid and patched adjacent to the lower part of the left hand hinge and has a section of shagreen missing on the right hand side. Old marks and scratches consistent with age and use. The caddies, sugar cannister and spoons are all in good condition. The nips have mis-shapen handles and are rather worn and are associated.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A similar group of cannisters by Paul de Lamerie forms part of the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. It is safe to assume that the teaspoons and sugar nips were combined with the caddies at a later date considering their difference in dates. A pair of sugar nips with the same maker's mark as these is illustrated by Brian Beet in his article 'Foreign snuffbox makers in eighteenth century London', fig,10. In this same article the author notes that Francis Harrach was a prolific manufacturer of chased snuffboxes in mid-eighteenth century London and that 'His workshop also seems to have specialised in cast foliate teaspoons and sugar nips'.¹

¹ Brian Beet, 'Foreign snuffbox makers in eighteenth century London', The Silver Society Journal 14, Antony Rowe Ltd., London, 2002, p.64.