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Please can somebody help me identify the attached marks found on a set of three tea canisters stored in a late eighteenth century Chippendale mahogany tea caddy.

They may have originally been gilded as the have light remnants of gold wash/gilding overall. They are octagonal in shape.

Is it possible they are from York as I have read that in some cases the Lion faces to the right? It looks like the makers mark is AC?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Not silver, but what is called French plate (silver on brass). This was an early form of silver plating.
Your caddies were made in the second quarter of the 18th century. Nice things and really quite rare.
I don't know the maker, I'm afraid.

Miles

Thank you so much for your insight into the origin of the tea caddies.
As they are French, any guess why there would be the two right facing lions either side of the intial's AC?
Was this common for the period? or is it an attempt to embellish them in some way?
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

The term French plate just refers to the process of fusing silver to brass, and doesn't necessarily mean made in France. In fact, I would say these were made in England, but I'm pretty ignorant on the subject.
I remember there was an article on French plate written by a man called Peter Cameron, but I'm afraid I can't remember where it was published.

Miles

Much appreciated. Thank you.

http://www.shelswellparishes.info/finmere/flagon.html

another example

I've found the Peter Cameron article in a 2010 edition of Antiques and Fine Art. Anthony Christian is the maker.

Miles

Hi Miles,

Does the article make any mention of where Anthony Christian was based?

Regards, Trev.