Gorham sterling silver tea service from the Warner / Lea family of Nashville, 5 pieces including tea and coffee pots, open sugar and waste bowls, and cream jug, all with rectangular bodies, fluted pedestals and spouts, and molded rims and handles. All items marked with Lion-anchor-G hallmarks, numbers A4511-A4515 and key symbol denoting the year of manufacture,1906. Each piece with elaborate script monogram MLL (Mary Louise Warner Lea). Combined weight: 99.47 troy ounces. Also included is an associated oval tray with sterling gallery sides and Neoclassical style inlaid urn design, marked for Goodnow & Jenks of Boston, 24" x 17". All items circa 1906.
PROVENANCE: Private Nashville collection. This tea set was a wedding present from Ella and Overton Lea to their new daughter in law, Mary Louise Warner Lea, who married their son Luke Lea in 1906. It has descended in their family to the present consignor. Mary Louise Warner was the daughter of noted Nashville businessman and civic leader Percy Warner. Luke Lea (1879-1945) became a U.S. Senator and publisher of the Nashville Tennessean newspaper.

CONDITION: Sterling pieces are in excellent condition. Oval tray has some wear and stains to wood center.