posted 05-13-2006 12:50 PM            

Have questions about what I thought was an electroplated covered butter dish. It measures: 8”x6”, glass insert 6”x4”, stands 2½” with cover. Has beaded edges around tray and cover. The cover’s finial/handle may not be original. It has a 1/8” diameter hole clear through it and the brass nut that secures it inside the cover. While searching the web for something else, spotted a similar small rectangular covered silver tray being called a “covered tureen”. It was shaped like mine but believe the measurements were something like 4” by 6”. For the life of me, I can’t find that site today. Questions:

1. Is this a large covered butter dish or some sort of a small covered tureen like maybe a small entree dish from an elegant supper service? It just doesn’t seem deep enough to be a tureen.

2. Do you think the finial is original? Is it possible the hole in the finial is a vent hole for a tureen, or is something missing on the finial top that would have fitted the hole?

3. The stamp appears to have an “&” sign to the left of an “H” with a smaller “J” in the middle, and “Co” to the right. H & J Co??? I can’t spot anything close in Rainwater, Wyler or the Internet. Anyone know this H/j stamp? It is also stamped with “EPNS” and “540”.

4. It has a registration number on the inside rim of the tray: “Reg No 780320”. If this is an American piece, which I believe it is, then that is a US Mechanical Patent number issued in 1905 per 925-1000.com. If it is an English piece, the Registry number was issued in 1933 - per 925-1000.com. Is this an American piece?

TIA.

--- Susan

posted 05-13-2006 03:12 PM            

1. The dish is definitely plate as indicated by the initials "EPNS", which stand for "eletroplated nickel silver."

2. I suspect it is British not American as indicated by the use of "reg" for registration number as opposed to "pat" for patent number. The number 540 could be a stock or order number, which would be common with mass-produced 20th century items.

3. Judging by the size (too big for a butter dish), too small for a serving piece, and the glass insert, I believe it is a covered cheese dish, quite common in England.

4. Rainwater would not include the marks if is English nor would Wyler's "Book of Old Silver," since it is silverplate. However, Wyler did publish a book on Victorian silverplate, which you might try. Your are probably correct about the initials being those of a company.

I can't help you with the finial.

Cheers,
Tom

posted 05-14-2006 06:04 PM            

Delighted to know it is a cheese dish. How interesting to knowing the hole in the finial is a vent hole for fermenting the cheese. Thank you, Hello, for watching the right Antique Roadshow at the right time - a good example of being in the right place at the right time, at least for me.

>I suspect it is British not American as indicated by the use of "reg" for registration number as opposed to "pat" for patent number.<

Good reason why I didn't find it in Rainwater.

>Wyler's "Book of Old Silver," since it is silverplate. However, Wyler did publish a book on Victorian silverplate,...<

Right, about his "Old Silver" book, but I also have his book "Sheffield Plate including Victorian Plate" which has 21 pages on Victorian Plate Marks. This mark isn't listed.

Thank you both for the great responses!

posted 05-18-2006 11:08 PM            

Thank you for the date.