The service comprising of a hot water kettle on stand with burner, coffee biggin on stand, teapot, covered sugar bowl, covered cream jug, tea caddy, and waste bowl. Each piece oval with a basketwork band at the shoulder and angular ivory handles. The kettle on stand with entwined serpent handle and spigot, each stand raised on three caryatid feet, the oval tray fantastic in its size and gauge and also with a basketwork border. The handles formed as magnificent, entwined serpents.
The service hallmarked on the bodies and covers, stands, burner and cover, and under tray.
John Emes was apprenticed in 1778 to William Woollett, goldsmith and engraver obtaining his freedom of the Goldsmiths' Company in 1796.
In the same year he entered in partnership with Henry Chawner registering their mark "HC over IE" as 'Plate Workers' at Amen Corner on 27 August 1796.
Soon after, owing to semi-retirement of Henry Chawner, the business was mostly managed by John Emes that on 10 January 1798 registered his own mark and the dissolution of the partnership.

John Emes continued to work at Amen Corner until his death in 1808. His work, mostly tea and coffee services, shows a taste for elegant design and fine finish.
Emes died in 1808 at the age of 36. He was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, London. After the death of John Emes the business was continued by his widow Rebecca Emes who, on 30 June 1808, entered a mark with William Emes (brother of John Emes and his executor acting by 'Virtue of a Power of Attorney').
This mark, "RE over WE", lasted only a few months and Rebecca Emes formed a new partnership with Edward Barnard, leading journeyman of her late husband. New marks were entered on 14 October 1808 (RE over EB into a quatrefoil). The address was Amen Corner, Paternoster Row. Other similar marks were entered in 1818, 1821 and 1825.
The firm was one of the largest working in their period with wide connections in the trade (they supplied plate to Rundell, Bridge and Rundell and to Cattle and Barber of York)
The partnership lasted until the death of Rebecca Emes in 1828.
The business was continued by Edward Barnard and his three sons (see Edward Barnard & Sons history)


 

Presumably, son of William Emes of Bowbridge Field near Derby surveyor, apprenticed to William Woolett of Green Street, Leicester Fields Citizen and Goldsmith, engraver on payment of £105, (one of the largest premiums recorded in the apprentice registers), 7th October 1778. Free, 5th July 1786. First mark entered as a plateworker, in partnership with Henry Chawner on 27th August 1796. Address: Amen Corner. He presumably is dead in 1808, when Rebbeccah and William Emes entered their mark at the same address. His work, mostly tea and coffee services with some tankards, shows a taste for elegant design and fine finish.