Tefar Mfg. Silver Plated E.P. Copper Footed Tea Service Piece
Hollowware (likely a Sugar Bowl or Creamer component) · Tefar Manufacturing Co. Based in Canada, Tefar was known for mid-market silver-plated domestic hollowware produced for the North American market.
Pattern: Unspecified scrolled rococo-style pattern (Model 2136), mass-produced mid-20th century silhouette.
Type
Hollowware (likely a Sugar Bowl or Creamer component)
Maker
Tefar Manufacturing Co. Based in Canada, Tefar was known for mid-market silver-plated domestic hollowware produced for the North American market.
Material
Electroplated Copper (E.P. Copper). This piece consists of a copper base body with a thin layer of silver electro-deposited on the surface using the galvanic process.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of 4-5 inches; weight is consistent with a copper base, significantly heavier than sterling silver of the same thickness.
Description
A classic example of mid-century Canadian silver plating, this bulbous hollowware piece sits upon four rococo-style scrolled feet. While currently showing heavy tarnish, the E.P. Copper construction was intended to provide a luxurious formal look at a fraction of the cost of sterling silver.
Key Features
Durable copper base, distinctive 2136 model number, and the iridescent rainbow tarnish (sulfide layer) typical of thin silver plating on base metal.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Copper (E.P. Copper). This piece consists of a copper base body with a thin layer of silver electro-deposited on the surface using the galvanic process.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver finish with heavy colorful oxidation (tarnish). Features cast ornate scroll and shell feet in the Neo-Rococo style with a plain, bulbous body.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped with: 'MADE IN CANADA', 'E.P. COPPER', 'TEFAR MFG', and '2136' (model number). The 'E.P.' signifies electroplate, not solid silver.
Construction Details
Machine-spun body with die-cast legs/feet that have been silver-soldered to the base. This is a industrial manufacturing technique rather than hand-wrought.
Functional Features
Four-footed base for stability; rounded body designed to hold liquids or sugar. The high-polish interior helps prevent rapid corrosion of the copper.
Handle & Grip Details
Handles are not visible in the photo, but the feet provide the primary grip/support; they are ornate cast metal alloy.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial craftsmanship. The casting of the feet shows some loss of detail (soft edges) typical of mass-production molds.
Authentication Indicators
The 'E.P. Copper' mark is a definitive indicator that this is NOT sterling silver. The weight and solder lines around the feet are consistent with 20th-century plating techniques.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Canada, likely in the Ontario region where much of the Canadian silver-plate industry was concentrated.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Traditional (c. 1950-1970). A period where Victorian and Rococo Revival styles remained popular for formal dining gifts.
Age Estimate
Circa 1955-1965 based on the stamp style and the specific 'Made in Canada' industrial marking.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-war aspiration for formal 'Sunday Best' dining sets in middle-class North American households.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Heavy tarnish is present (sulfide patina). There appears to be some 'bleeding' where the silver plate may be thinning, and sticker residue exists on the bottom.
Value Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00 USD. The $3.00 price tag visible in the photo is a fair thrift-store price based on its utilitarian and decorative value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid over-polishing, as the silver layer is very thin and can be 'polished through' to the copper. Do not place in a dishwasher.
Similar Pieces
Benedict Proctor, Birks Regency, or Gorham silver-plated hollowware. Unlike 'Birks Sterling', this Tefar piece is strictly decorative/functional rather than an investment-grade metal.
Interesting Facts
Silver plate on copper is often preferred by some collectors over silver plate on white metal (EPNS) because as the silver wears away, the warm red copper 'bleeding' through can create an attractive aged aesthetic.