A massive and exceptionally heavy French .950 silver tea service by renowned maker Louis Aucoc, Paris c. 1875, marked with Aucoc Aine retail mark and "sterling". Comprising a kettle on stand, coffee pot, teapot, hot water pot, sugar bowl and cram jug. Baluster shaped bodies with engine turned surface, scroll shaped handles and spouts with applied intertwining tendrils, the kettle and teapot with pomegranate finial, the coffeepot with berry finial, and the hot water jug with cow finial, monogrammed SBM. The kettle has an 11 cup (2750ml) capacity, teapot has a 5 cup (1250ml) capacity. Height of kettle 11.5" (29.2cm), total weight 219 troy oz (6806g).