Tiffany & Co. lamp teapot?

[ccchhhrrriiisss]

Hello,

I purchased a teapot that I found for sale. It didn't cost very much and I thought that it would simply make a nice little "old" piece on a shelf in my parents' dining room.  I am interested in learning more about it.  It looks like a teapot, but it is a bit small. My dad thinks that it might be a creamer.

I know just a little about interpreting the Tiffany & Co. marking. 

This is what I can see (thus far):

Tiffany & Co.
1421 MAKERS 180
Silver Soldered EP  <-- (at least I think that it says EP)
V


2 4

As you can see in one of the photos, this is not sterling silver.  It is silver soldered and I believe that, if this is "EP," the "EP" stands for electroplated.  However, there are a few things that I don't know about the mark.  I understand that the "1421" is the pattern number.  I also understand that the "180" is the order number.  However, I don't know much beyond that. 

Does anyone know what the "v" means? 
What does the "2 4" mean?  It appears at the bottom of the teapot and inside of the lid. 
Any idea about what this might actually be (e.g., teapot, creamer, sugar dispenser, etc...)? 
Any idea about the age? 

Thanks!

 

[ccchhhrrriiisss]

Here is a faux-colored photo (my mom tinted it with a filter on her iPhone to enhance contrast) of the inside of the pot's top.  Like the bottom of the pot, it has a "24" marked inside.

I don't know if the color is more "silver" like and the filter looks more copper, or if it is truly copper inside.  The inside bottom looks more silver.

[KC]

What are the measurements of the pot?  How much does it hold?

[ccchhhrrriiisss]

What are the measurements of the pot?  How much does it hold?

I don't have the exact measurement (since it was mailed to my parents' home).  It is small...perhaps 6-8 inches in length.  I can post some photos of it if you like that will suggest a size.

[ccchhhrrriiisss]

Here are a couple of other photos to indicate the size of this.

[mart]

Possibly a creamer for a coffee service !!  If its as small as it appears to be !! Holds maybe  1 or 1 1/2 cups ??

[KC]

Mart, believe it is the tea pot.  Tea was made extra strong and if you had a spirit kettle full of hot water the more it would serve! 

Take a look at this other early silver soldered set resembling yours ccchhhrrriiisss
https://www.etsy.com/listing/102678066/antique-1907-tiffany-and-co-silver-tea

[mart]

You are right KC !! I looked last evening and didn`t see any creamers made with this shape !!   Hope they make that tea really strong !!

[ccchhhrrriiisss]

Thanks for the help!

I am especially interested in dating this.  I have read that Tiffany & Co. stopped their "EP" line by 1931.  The date from this particular pattern number (1421) seems to indicate that it was designed between 1860-1865; however, that was the design not the production date for this particular pot.  I am interested in the letter "V."  Tiffany & Co. added an initial to indicate either the company president's name when it was created or the artistic director.  There were no presidents with a last name beginning with "v," so I assume that it was an art/design director's initial.  Unfortunately, I can't find a list of art directors.

I am still puzzled by the "24" that appears on the inside of the lid and, potentially, on the bottom of the teapot.  My dad mentioned that it could be a "Z 4," and that the "24" on the inside of the teapot lid could be mere coincidence. 

I am interested in the history of this.  Is it possible that the "24" might have been a number for a pot at a restaurant (#24 out of, say, 40)?  This came from northern California, so could it be something from a restaurant or hotel in the decades following the gold rush?   It is all conjecture at this point.  Perhaps someone might know how I might find out more.