The item is a four-piece ornate silver-plated tea and coffee set. The set, which appears to be in a vintage or antique style, possibly Victorian or Baroque, includes a tall coffee pot, a shorter teapot, a creamer or milk jug, and a lidded sugar bowl.
The items have a highly reflective, polished silver finish. Each piece features a distinctive, deeply swirled or fluted body, sometimes referred to as a "melon pattern". The set is richly decorated with elaborate, scrolling designs on the handles, spouts, and finials (the knobs on the lids). Each item rests on four ornate, scrolled feet, which is typical of an opulent, traditional style.
The stamp "EP on B" found on the items means Electroplated on Brass.
EP (Electroplated): This indicates that the item is not solid silver. Instead, it has a base metal core (brass, in this case) that has been coated with a thin layer of pure silver using an electrical process.
on B (On Brass): This specifies the type of metal used for the core of the item. Brass is a common, inexpensive metal often used for items like tea sets or hollowware before the silver layer is applied.
Marks such as "EP on B", "EPNS" (Electroplated Nickel Silver), or "EPBM" (Electroplated Britannia Metal) are not official government hallmarks like those found on sterling silver. They are manufacturer's marks used to identify the plating method and the underlying base metal.
EMESS is a trade name associated with Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or silver-plated items, not a type of metal itself. EmEss was a trade name used by a silverware manufacturer in England until the 1960s. The trade name was also used by a separate South African manufacturer into the 1970s.
This set is in “as good as new” condition and have never been used. Each item still has the label: EmEss Silverware, Silver Plate, Use EmEss long lasting shine polish.
Coffee Pot: Height with finial: 25.5 cm, Spout to handle: 27.5 cm
Tea Pot: Height with finial: 22.5 cm, Spout to handle: 27 cm
Sugar Bowl: Height wit finial: 16.5 cm, Handle to handle: 18 cm
Creamer: Height of handle: 13 cm, Spout to handle: 13 cm
