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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Silverplate Forum
 Silverplate Salver- Maker? Date?
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| Author | Topic: Silverplate Salver- Maker? Date? |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 04-13-2010 11:25 PM
  
Here is a silverplated salver measuring 8.5" in diameter and resting on 3 ball and claw feet. I believe the piece is English. The mark is a GA with an elephant. Any thoughts? Thanks, Kelly IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 04-14-2010 06:42 PM
Hello nautilusjv! You might check out R. Gainsford sheffield 1808. Hope this helps! Beautiful salver, enjoy! Jersey IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 04-15-2010 05:06 PM
Thanks Jersey for the info. I cannot quite believe the piece is that early. Is it therefore Sheffield plate instead of electroplate? Is there a physical/form way to look at which also would suggest Sheffield plate? Or something about style which would also confirm that? I looked at Gainsford marks. There is a mark with an elephant Gainsford elephant. Could the mark on the salver be a partial mark? Thanks for the help! Kelly IP: Logged |
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agphile Posts: 798 |
posted 04-15-2010 07:24 PM
I have certainly seen a Gainsford mark similar to yours on Sheffield plate. On a plated item around 200 years old I would have expected more wear on the silver surface to be visible than appears to be the case here judging by the photo. I have a couple of small Sheffield Plate dishes that have been later electro-plated, presumably after much of the original silver had worn away. Might this have happened with your piece? IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 04-15-2010 07:32 PM
Thanks Agphile. I had not thought of that possibility, but that could be the ticket. I assume that lowers the value of the piece. Thanks for your input! Kelly IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 04-15-2010 10:01 PM
Perhaps it was/is a well cared for piece! Hope I am right. Glad you found his mark with the elephant! Keep me posted. IP: Logged |
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vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 04-16-2010 08:48 AM
Is there a folded over lip at the edge of the underside that you can feel with your fingernail? And if you huff you're breath on the center of the salver top do you see an oval or circular outline (could also be square)? IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 04-16-2010 09:23 AM
If your salver was silver plated it was most likely because too much of the original sterling silver overlay had worn away exposing a large portion of the copper. How much "too much" is varies with individuals; but the person who did it either liked the silver plated look or thought they could increase the sales value by doing it. If all the silver had worn away they probably did increase the value as the advantage of Old Sheffield Plate was gone with the absent of the sterling overlay. For some reason sterling over copper obtains a beautiful patina after 150 or so years that silverplate never does and in some cases it is even more attractive than the patina solid sterling acquires. Some OSP obtains a wonderful bluish patina that I have never seen on solid sterling. In either case I would just enjoy your beautiful salver. This time of the year it is a perfect size to serve mint juleps! IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 04-16-2010 10:11 AM
Thanks Awht and Vathek for your thoughts. There is a folded over lip on the edge. I will check again when I get home and post a photograph. And I will try the huff test! And Awht I do enjoy this beautiful piece and am not concerned much about value per se. I paid a fair price for it and as you say it is almost time for mint juleps and presenting them on the salver would be just swell. IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 04-16-2010 05:18 PM
Kelly Do an online search for the maker for comparable pieces. Enjoy! Jersey IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 04-18-2010 08:28 AM
Here is a pic of what I believe is the folded over edge that Vathek mentioned. In terms of the "huff test" the shape does appear to be a somewhat irregular square. Thanks to everyone for their info and help. Jersey, I like your idea of champagne too. Or perhaps champagne cocktails. Kelly IP: Logged |
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agphile Posts: 798 |
posted 04-18-2010 01:48 PM
Kelly I am no expert on Sheffield Plate. I just own three small examples, two of which have been re-plated: the reason I raised this possibility. However, I think re-plating would have hidden the solder line round any central silver insert on your salver (there to allow the owner to have a crest engraved without cutting through to the copper) so I think I have to apologize for starting this hare and bow to Vathek for suggesting the huff test. And to follow on from Jersey’s identification of the maker, I now see that an “elephant GA” mark with the same outline as on your salver is listed in “Bradbury”, the British pocket hallmark guide, for R. Gainsford, 1808. This gives the earliest date for the salver. I am not sure how long the mark remained in use or Gainsford remained in business but I guess the latest date would be around 20 years after that. As it happens, I am looking for a salver myself which adds to my envy of your acquisition. David IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 04-18-2010 08:42 PM
Kelly! As I would say to my Dad at the bar, champagne cocktail.....no junk! Glad to know someone else has verified the mark & approximate date, thanks David. Will keep an eye out for you. Jersey Jersey IP: Logged |
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nautilusjv Posts: 253 |
posted 04-18-2010 09:26 PM
Thanks again Jersey and David. David- I am glad you suggested the replating idea because it is something I had not thought of with Old Sheffield silver. Now, I will be more conscious of it as a possibility when I come across another piece. And thank you for confirming the dating. I think your span of 20 years sounds right. Kelly IP: Logged |
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