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Meriden Britannia ???

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Author	Topic: Meriden Britannia ???
thabo Posts: 2 Registered: May 2000	posted 05-23-2000 03:36 PM I have inherited a small silver object and I have no idea what it is. It might be a syrup pitcher, but I can't find any of its type illustrated to confirm. The object was bought by my great grandparents in London. It is 8 inches high capped with a rearing roaring lion holding a shield. The inside of the cover is stamped "Meriden B Company 1899". This inscription is circular with a pair of scales in the middle. The top part is shaped like a water pitcher, except that it is covered. On the neck of the piece, there is a 6mm banded illustration of two men fighting, one on his back and the other standing over him with a spear. The body rounds out like a teapot and bears some unremarkable flower design etching. It is supported on 4 legs that are of a lattace design. There is a small ball at the base of the teapot bowl for balance. The handle is unadorned though slighly fluted at both ends. I have no idea what function this piece served. I can tell you that my great grand father was an Orthodox Jew who immigrated to England from Russia in 1895. He was a Mason, though I have no idea from which lodge. Could this piece be some kind of ceremonial Masonic object? I'd really appreciate it someone could tell me what this. Thanks in advance for your time. BTW, I am working on getting a photograph. [This message has been edited by thabo (edited 05-24-2000).] IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 05-25-2000 04:34 PM I look forward to your phottograph. In the meantime .... IP: Logged
thabo Posts: 2 Registered: May 2000	posted 05-27-2000 12:42 PM Well, we're getting close. The mark matches the illustration it my "syrup cup" looks a lot like the one in the middle. Scott, where did you find the illustration? Anyway thanks for the post. It really helps. Thabo IP: Logged
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 Registered: Apr 99	posted 05-27-2000 07:58 PM This is mixing up the topic a bit, so feel free to push this someplace else. Scott - do you show in your Meriden catalog a large (and I mean 2 quart or better) size water pitcher; bulbous form, lidded, done in allover Japan-esque patterning, but with a rather incongruous satyr's head beneath the spout? It has the standard MB mark on the bottom; It is not silverplate, but appears to be an attempt to reproduce the patina of old bronze (very handsome). That's the best description I can give, I'm afraid - I am not able to get a pic and that sort of ware befuddles me to begin with. Any thing about this ring a bell? IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 05-29-2000 10:04 AM WEV - I have looked through one of my catalogues. In it there were many items that are in the class of item you describe. None that seems to match. If you could add some more detail to your description I might be able to narrow the selection down. For example is there a number on the bottom? Is it an ice water pitcher where the walls are double lined or could there have once been a ceramic liner? Could it have been a tilting water pitcher? We don't do that much with silver plate so we keep our other catalogues a bit out of reach and will look again later. IP: Logged

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