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Dr Christopher Dresser

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Author	Topic: Dr Christopher Dresser
ooshmcboosh Posts: 2 Registered: Aug 2013	posted 08-28-2013 03:51 PM [26-2418] Hi, My names matt and I love silver/silver plate but don't know too much about it, I just "know what I like". I have a new house and I'm just getting settled in, I'm only 28 years old but I think I have older taste as I've suddenly got the urge to kit my pad out with the finer things in life rather than gadgets, gizmos and naked pictures of women! Anyway, I'm not too bothered how much this is worth as its not for sale but I'd like to know if it's one of Christopher Dressers original pieces or a later copy. It's silver plate, but I love the design and I understand he was ahead of his time too. Hope someone can help. If not no worries. Thanks guys IP: Logged
doc Posts: 730 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 08-31-2013 03:10 PM What a fantastic piece! IP: Logged
jersey Posts: 1203 Registered: Feb 2005	posted 09-16-2013 09:04 AM Hello, After discussing this post with a knowledgeable friend we have concluded that your piece is a fake or reproduction. The original was designed c1880 and manufactured by James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield. They worked in both sterling and plate. The sterling marks would have to be on the piece if it were sterling; the plate work would almost certainly have the maker's trade mark and possibly but not necessarily the design registration mark as well. The maker's mark would probably incorporate the "trumpet and banner design which came into use in 1879-1880, but if it wasn't included some version of "James Dixon & Sons" or "JD&S" would certainly have been present, having been in use since the 1830s. Comparing the pictures submitted here with two images that can dependably be of "originals", the knob of the lid is too elongated, the lower handle support arm is bent at the angle, not mitered, the cut-out in the sides of the pot is proportionally too small and there should be no border trim whatsoever around the cut-out. Finally, Christopher Dresser had a "signature mark" which had a history of use on objects made by the Dixon and Sons firm in that period. This "Dr C Dresser" bears no resemblance. References: Original Teapot Image 1 Original Teapot Image 2 James Dixon & Son Marks Christopher Dresser Signature Mark Its still a nice piece so enjoy. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11573 Registered: Apr 93	posted 09-16-2013 10:01 AM Thanks Jersey & friend. IP: Logged
agphile Posts: 798 Registered: Apr 2008	posted 09-16-2013 11:02 AM I had been hanging back from comment in the absence of any follow-up by the original poster. I agree with Jersey that the piece appears to be a reproduction (or a fake if it was sold as a genuine early example). Given that Dresser was a designer rather than a maker, there is no reason not to enjoy the design regardless of date of manufacture. The V & A has a silver-plated example. This link gives some more detail, including how it is marked and detail of the manufacturing process from the 1879 entry in the Dixon calculation book. IP: Logged

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