posted 07-07-2010 11:28 PM            

Good afternoon from Australia.

I am a small dealer, in Melbourne. I always research my items to the best of my ability, but this one has me stumped. I have never seen this mark before and neither have any of the folk I have shown this too. Research is half the fun, for me, and I know that this forum carries some of the best knowledge around. Hence my request. I see very little silver here that I can afford to buy for resale but do have some very nice pieces in my own collection.

I have a very heavy and rather beautiful tureen, that I spent over 2 hours cleaning!

I have never seen the mark on the base so have spent a great deal more time, trying to figure out who made it.

The tureen is beautifully etched, and has a detachable handle. The main stamped mark and what I assume is the decorator's etched mark are under the base and also under the handle.

I wonder if someone could possibly help me here.

Many thanks in advance.
Sue

posted 07-08-2010 09:00 AM            

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I am a small dealer, in Melbourne. I always research my items to the best of my ability

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Researching an item before sale is of course commendable and dealers are welcome here (we have many among our membership, including our sponsor and host), providing they understand and agree to follow our guidelines. If you read the green box at the top of this page, you will have noticed the following:

quote:

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*** NO pre-sales/auction research or valuation questions. ***

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We enforce this strictly as we are not licensed appraisers and therefore cannot properly provide assistance to dealers looking for information to aid in the direct sale of their items. You did not make it clear that your intent in inquiring for this item is for your own edification and not for commercial purposes; if it were for your personal collection, we would be free to try to provide some answers, otherwise you would have to look elsewhere. We therefore are obliged to ask for a clear statement of why you are asking.

Assistance in finding a licensed appraiser can be found here

posted 07-09-2010 01:53 AM            

With silverplate, marks frequently indicate not who made it but how it was sold. Your mark probably is the one used be an upscale retailer for their distinctive line. For many years retailers offered a line of tabletop silver that they claimed to be exclusively their own, complete with their own mark. My understanding is that a local jobber or wholesaler would purchase a quantity of these unplated. As orders came in, the pieces would be plated, marked as requested and shipped.

Since you are in Australia, my best guess is that this was made in England. And sent out under the Imperial system. For the wholesaler this meant he carried huge numbers of blanks that would be sold over a multi-year period. Dating is difficult as they were sold for such long periods of time.

As for selling, I have never got much for any one of these, and I have handled tens of dozens. The pieces are lovely and useful.

Anyone dealing in silverplate needs to find some caterers who do small scale events, in homes and offices. They are a ready market for all sorts of silverplated tableware as a piece such as this one really sets off a dish. And they need lots of them, and trays, and salvers, on and on.

Does this have a glass insert or metal rack inside? Does the engraving look hand done?

Thanks Sue for your comments on eBay, I agree totally.

posted 07-09-2010 02:27 AM            

Thank you for this most interesting info. I am a transported Brit, according to my mother, and have been in Aus for almost 30 years. I have never seen any department store silver before and had no idea it existed. I have seen pieces with store names, easily identifiable, but never without the maker too. So, already I learn!

I thought this looked almost like a Hebrew letter, which confused me no end, as I was pretty sure it was an English piece. But the weight led me to think, wrongly as it turns out, that this mark meant something special. I have sold oodles of these too, over the years, and yet I doubt I have ever found a heavier one. As far as I can tell, it has never had any kind of insert or rack. And yes, I would think it is hand engraved as each swagged garland is very slightly different.

I am leaving the shop now but will log in again from home. I will be able to answer your other query about Aus plating and Oneida from there. Mainly because I have an Oneida service that I bought about 20 years back, at a farm sale. For my own use, not to sell. LOL. But I need to look at at and then I can maybe show a piece. That way, you may be able to see if it is a pattern available in US.

We encounter lots of US plate, but flatware is less common.

posted 07-12-2010 08:54 PM            

My Oneida service is called Fascination.I was not able to find this pattern, so it may be either one just made for Australia, or may be renamed for Australia. As soon as I have the chance, I will post a photo of the pattern. Haven't used it for a long time and, when I looked at it on Friday, am not sure I like it much now!

The Australian platers include Stokes and Sons, who plated figural napkin rings, badges, medals etc. They were a Melbourne company.

Challenge was another brand, especially known for the very collectable Robur teapot. I think this design was totally Australian and they were free if you collected enough Robur tea cards.

Hecworth were a very well respected brand and I think they either became Rodd, or were bought by Rodd, late 50s 60s. Hecworth reproduced Sheffield plate, as well as making other designs and cutlery.

No 50s 60s 70s Aussie wedding was without either Rodd or Grosvenor cutlery, as presents.

I think all of the above companies were Melbourne based. There were many more, I am sure, but these are the most prevalent, certainly here in Melbourne.