posted 02-25-2016 01:40 PM            

Hello -

Thank You for the add to the group. My name is Justin Lee - my wife and I are avid admirers of the Victorian Age - and always have our eyes peeled for the next great find. We have a small very eclectic collection of antiques and would truly appreciate any information on this piece that we can get.

- I'm not sure if I can upload pictures or not - but I can give a description and what we know so far:

Meriden B Company Quadruple Plate (on the outline of the circle - spelled out/If I read correctly that mark ceased being used in 1896

Meriden B - started around 1852 - #1 Silver Plate Manufacturer by 1863 I believe - so as of now our date range is 1852-1896
- FYI this is the most Alice In Wonderland styled teapot from the Victorian Age I've seen. I've seen more intricate and more shapely - but I've not found a match to this yet.

Pattern 1957 Cherries and Leaves - the scroll work on this is phenomenal with even the branches being made up of small horizontal lines (around 5 I believe) that run the length of the branches. The cherries are Raised - appears to be at least half an inch (like a bubble)

Definitely not an urn, coffeepot, samovar nor thermos.

Both pieces have identical markings

If I read correctly - the silver used would have been .925 silver/standard being used at that time (and that Quadruple plate actually means 4x's the silver that would be used on a standard piece was implemented)

When I obtained this item the degree of tarnish was pretty severe. I polished as slowly and lightly as possible in fear of there not being much if any silver left from the condition the Kettle Warmer was in - and I still can't believe how well it came out. The only place there really seems to be any silver wear is on the handle - you can see your reflection in the body. It shines. The inside is in great shape. No severe pitting or holes. One small dent on the underside about the size of a dime - unnoticeable if viewed from above and unless it's pointed out hard to recognize.

If anyone can help with a date or proper name we would truly appreciate the assistance.

posted 02-26-2016 03:15 AM            

It's a lovely swinging hot water kettle, but believe the fruit depicted is plums rather than cherries, and it displays the Japanese influence in Aesthetic design. The 'No. 1957' set is shown in the 1886 Meriden catalog (may have been, and probably was, produced a few years before and/or after that too), though your piece is not illustrated with the set. I'm posting the page showing your pattern, as well as a close-up showing a similar kettle in another pattern, the spirit burner missing from yours is visible in the base.

Not sure I'm really clear on the '.925 silver being used' comment - the electroplating would have been done using fine silver anodes rather than sterling. Quadruple plate, in theory, was supposed to be heavy silverplate, but it was often just a marketing term and a good bit of quadruple plate wares were not heavily plated, the term was not used much by most manufacturers after the early 20th century.

Good to have you here, hopefully you'll share more from your collection...

~Cheryl