antique Egyptian Revival silver hotel tilting pitcher French Republic vintage

Interesting restoration piece... rare old figural silver plate iced water tilting set (pitcher and stand) in the Egyptian Revival style of the French Emperor Napoleon III. Napoleon III was Emperor of France's Third Republic from 1852 until 1870.

This silver plate serving pitcher was likely made for a hotel restaurant table and has an ornate figural handle with the head of an Egyptian Pharaoh and fits in tilting stand for pouring.

It stands 17 1/2" high over the top of the finial lid handle and the pitcher holds about 10 cups (2.5 quarts) brim full and we're guessing that it was made as a two quart pitcher with ice.

The pitcher is supported by four human heads and there is also a figural cow on the stand (possibly the Egyptian goddess Hathor). The bottom of the pitcher is marked - Patented by Jas Stimpson 1854 Extended for Seven Years - also - Aurura S.P Mfg Triple Plate -.

James Stimpson's patent was for triple walled vessels for insulating ice water at the table.

This is a lovely and quite rare piece with substantial decoration. We'd guess that it is sheffeld plate? but we're not sure.

This rare old piece is in As-Found condition and needs the care of a skilled restorer.

The pitcher and stand have been painted over with an aluminum colored paint. We have not attempted to remove the paint as we're not sure of the correct technique and don't want to damage it.

There is some denting in areas to the body and one dent that has been partially filled in.

The inside of the pitcher has roughness under the paint, but it seems to be water tight.

One of the arms of the tilting stand is cracked near the base.