|
|
|
|
| REGISTER (click here) |
How to Post Photos
|
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 New members post here
 hi : ) I'm new but I found something cool!
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: hi : ) I'm new but I found something cool! |
|
Mouse* Posts: 7 |
posted 07-18-2016 12:33 AM
  
I was at a thrift store and I found a pot with some weird symbols on it. I googled it and I think it might be 100 years old, I'm really interested in the journey that it took. I'm curious where it was made and when. On a side note I think the silver plating on it is mostly gone, do you guys know if it's safe to eat out of still? I was thinking about putting pasta in it. IP: Logged |
|
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 07-18-2016 11:32 AM
Welcome. To help get things started please tell us more about yourself and your interest in collecting silver. IP: Logged |
|
Mouse* Posts: 7 |
posted 07-18-2016 05:16 PM
I'm trying to get pots and pans to be healthier so I can cook for myself instead of eating out all the time. I decided to be less wasteful on the environment and get used pans at a thrift store. I bought 2 cast iron skillets so far and a couple no name brand stainless steel pans. Then I saw some really cool colored kitchenware like deep blues with spots of purple and red so I looked at it and it was the junk silver plate section. It seems pretty affordable, but I only like stuff that is useful so I went through and I found this pot that I could prob serve pasta in and I saw some symbols on the underside lip which is very interesting. It's my 1st piece of silver plate and if I can find more useful pieces then I'm going to add it to my collection, because it's very affordable, looks cool, and might potentially have an interesting story.
IP: Logged |
|
Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 07-18-2016 08:47 PM
I am not an expert on Sheffield plate, but this appears to be an example of it. Such plated wares were made mostly in the 1800s. They were made in an interesting way - an ingot of copper was sandwiched between two quarter inch thick plates of sterling siver. This metal "Sandwich" was heated and pounded which resulted in the three pieces of metal bonding to each other. Then the resulting metal "sandwich" was pounded some more until it was flattened into a thin sheet of metal with a very thin layer of silver on both sides of a thicker layer of copper. These sheets of metal were then formed into various pieces of silver plated wares. This process was pretty much replaced with electro-plating. Electro-plating is where an object is made into some kind of tableware or flatware and is then dipped into a solution on the end of a wire. Then a piece of solid silver is attached to a second wire and put into the solution. Electricity is then passed through the setup resulting in the piece of silver dissolving into the solution and being re-deposited onto the bowl or candlestick or fork or whatever you are plating. Yes, you can use old silver plated wares - either ones made by the Sheffield process or by the electroplating process, even if some of the silver has been worn away over time. You will want to give it a really, really good cleaning since no one knows where it has been in the past decades or centuries. IP: Logged |
|
Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 07-18-2016 10:38 PM
This is a serving piece, not a cooking piece. If Kimo's right and it's made of silver-coated copper, and if you're right and the silver's mostly worn off, you will want to be careful not to serve hot or acidic food in it. You don't want copper leaching into your food. IP: Logged |
|
Mouse* Posts: 7 |
posted 07-18-2016 11:57 PM
Well, there goes that plan. Do you guys by any chance know what those symbols mean though? They are like hieroglyphs. IP: Logged |
|
asheland Posts: 935 |
posted 07-19-2016 10:55 AM
Welcome Mouse!  To me, it simply looks like tarnish. Try polishing it, if the copper is exposed, it'll look pink once polished, but if not, it should shine nicely as silver! IP: Logged |
|
Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 07-19-2016 12:17 PM
Again, I am not an expert in Sheffield plated things, but the first symbol appears to be a rose but I do not know what it stands for. The second symbol is a lion and that is a standard marking to indicate Sheffield plated goods. The third marking is the word SHEFFIELD which I suppose indicates it is Sheffield plate process, the fourth symbol is an RS which may be either the initials of the retail establishment that sold it or possibly the company that made it. The last symbol is a crossed keys which I believe was used by the Henry Wilkenson Company. I think it was also used by the Wilkenson and Shaw Company, and possibly by the John Shaw Company and even the J. Green Company. Given that none of these companies have the initials RS my guess is that this marking is most likely that of the retailer, though it could be that of yet another company that used the crossed keys emblem. But again, I am not an expert in Sheffield or even electro plate markings. Silver plated objects had very little control over such markings and most companies just used whatever they thought looked fancy and resemble the true Hallmarks that were legally required and tightly controlled on solid silver objects. IP: Logged |
|
Mouse* Posts: 7 |
posted 07-19-2016 12:44 PM
Do you guys know if using barkeepers friend on it will make it shine up properly or will that damage it? I used Barkeepers friend on the stainless steel pans and those came out shiny. Also, is it the best guess on that pan is that it was made in 1840 in America? IP: Logged |
|
dragonflywink Posts: 993 |
posted 07-19-2016 02:22 PM
Personally, have a hard time seeing this as a piece of Old Sheffield Plate (fused plate), believe it's a much later piece, electroplate on copper or nickel silver (polishing might reveal the base metal) - the design, with its thick applied threading and heavy plain handle seem atypical, almost utilitarian. That grouping of marks also strike me as atypical, and find the lion passant in that cartouche very odd on any British silverplate... It's a covered entrée dish, the handle should turn and unlock for removal, making the lid useful as another dish (also handy for storage). Barkeeper's Friend would not be appropriate at all - a mild silver polish would be a much, much better choice... ~Cheryl [This message has been edited by dragonflywink (edited 07-19-2016).] IP: Logged |
|
Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 07-19-2016 04:27 PM
Cheryl is absolutely right that Barkeeper's Friend is a very inappropriate polish in that it is quite abrasive and will quickly strip the silver plating off of whatever you are polishing. There are a number of equally destructive polishes out there as well. Also do not use any kind of silver dip fluids. They contain a chemical that can cause cancer and dips remove all patina while leaving a dulling film behind. To polish this or anything else you will want to buy either Weiman Silver Polish, or Goddard's Silver Polish Foam or Liquid, or Twinkle Silver Polish. There are some others that are okay and someone else here may mention one or two more, but you should be able to find at least one of these three at your local supermarket. And do not use a scrubbing brush or pad, or electric buffer or anything like that, use only a very soft piece of cotton cloth and mild pressure. Let the polishing paste or liquid do 90 percent of the work for you and leave any tarnish that is in the nooks and crannies as that is called patina and will make it more beautiful and looking like an antique rather than something that was made yesterday. IP: Logged |
|
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 07-19-2016 05:49 PM
Try searching the forums - there are all kinds of past discussions IP: Logged |
|
Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 07-19-2016 10:00 PM
I agree that it doesn't look very old--my guess, based on the monogram, would be early to mid 20th century. But guessing the age of silver pieces based on their monograms is a fool's errand, so take that guess with a lot of salt. IP: Logged |
|
Mouse* Posts: 7 |
posted 07-19-2016 10:20 PM
So best guess is that it was made in the 1950s in America? IP: Logged |
|
ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 07-19-2016 10:25 PM
My recent marriage was in 1963 and we have several items with that type of monogram. I use Wright's Silver Cream and have always found it to work well. Your covered food dish works well to keep food warm and would be great to serve anything in. Enjoy looking for other pieces. IP: Logged |
|
Mouse* Posts: 7 |
posted 07-19-2016 10:35 PM
ahwt if you don't mind me asking, does the silverplate from your wedding also have similar symbols? IP: Logged |
|
ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 07-19-2016 11:00 PM
We have several silver plated covered vegetable dishes, but as I recall they are all from US companies. I think of the markings on your dish as somewhat typical of the type that English companies used, although they often included the letters "EP" for electroplated. These marks in a sense are the manufacturer's trademark so customers would know the source of the goods. They may have been well known when your item was made, but most companies that made such items have long moved on to other things or have gone out of business. IP: Logged |
|
ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 07-19-2016 11:04 PM
You might have fun doing an Internet search for "silver plated covered dish" . Do the images version and you will get an idea of the types made. [This message has been edited by ahwt (edited 07-19-2016).] IP: Logged |
|
asheland Posts: 935 |
posted 07-20-2016 12:41 PM
My guess is 1920-40. I use Wright's Silver Cream for everything! I've used it for years, I find it to be the very best. (I use an old, soft cotton t-shirt with it) I highly doubt any of the silver is worn away on that piece. Wright's (or Weiman's) silver cream and a soft t-shirt will make that piece look great! IP: Logged |
|
Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 07-21-2016 11:14 AM
Also, sometimes manufacturers or owners spray painted a clear lacquer onto silver and silver plated things with the intent to keep the silver from tarnishing. It does work for a while, but over the years it gets worn in spots and you get splotchy looking tarnish that when you polish it leaves splotchy looking metal since spots where the old lacquer remains now has tarnish locked in under the lacquer where the polish is not getting to it to clean it. In such cases you would need to remove the lacquer and then polish those areas. To remove the lacquer usually it is easiest to get some nail polish remover and some q-tips and go sit on the back porch or someplace either outside or very well ventilated so you are not having to breathe in the nail polish remover. Again, let the chemical do 90 percent of the work to remove the lacquer. [This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 07-21-2016).] IP: Logged |
|
Mouse* Posts: 7 |
posted 07-24-2016 02:29 AM
I wanted to post an update: I asked at replacements if they had any more of the one I bought, so I could get matching stuff. The response came today that they can't identify the pattern Does Sheffield mean that it was made in Europe somewhere or could it have been made in the USA? I haven't bought the wright's silver cream yet to polish it up, but I'll do it soon hopefully and post a picture of it looking nice again IP: Logged |
|
ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 07-24-2016 10:44 AM
I think the marks on your piece would identify the maker, but I do not have a reference book that shows these marks. My somewhat uninformed guess is that it is American as I do not think it is English. As I recall silver plated articles made in England had to have a mark showing it was electroplated. The mark could be EP or EPNS (for electroplated nickel silver). Also your marks include one that is similar to a lion passant that legally could only be used on sterling in England. These laws protected the customer so that they would not be confused and think they were buying sterling silver rather than a silver plated item. These laws of course do not apply to articles made in the U.S. and an American company could very well think that marks found on your dish would impress customers and would make for an easier sale. Sheffield was probably added as it is a famous city in England known for excellent silver plated items. Again this would impress the customer as to the quality or maybe even source of the article. None of this means that your dish is not a high quality silver plated items. It appears that it is as it has last all these years with the silver plate still intact. As to age my guess is that it was made in the 1950s or early 1960s, but it could well have been made before these dates. I look forward to seeing it polished and to hear what you are using it for. IP: Logged |
|
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 07-24-2016 12:13 PM
I don't know who or where this item was made. The flower, Lion Passant, crossed keys and Sheffield are most often associated with the UK.
But these devices/marks can be also found in America and other country's pseudo hallmarks. Proper inspection of the item to determine if it is electro silver plate or fused copper/silver might help set a direction to narrow things. IP: Logged |
All times are ET | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a
|
1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums. 2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development). 3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post. |
|
copyright © 1993 - 2022
SM Publications
All Rights Reserved. Legal & Privacy Notices |
