Chippendale Style Silver Plate Salver or Butter Plate
Hollowware (Plate/Salver) · Unknown manufacturer (Commonly produced by makers like Gorham, Oneida, or Reed & Barton in silver plate)
Pattern: Chippendale Pattern (characterized by the scalloped, multi-lobed rim)
Type
Hollowware (Plate/Salver)
Maker
Unknown manufacturer (Commonly produced by makers like Gorham, Oneida, or Reed & Barton in silver plate)
Material
Silver Plate (likely Electroplated Nickel Silver or Brass), as evidenced by the surface tarnish and lack of sterling hallmarks on the face
Dimensions
Approximately 6 to 8 inches in diameter (standard bread and butter plate or small salver size)
Description
A classic circular silver-plated plate or salver featuring the iconic scalloped Chippendale-style rim. This piece serves as a utilitarian yet elegant addition to a table setting, often used for serving bread, butter, or as a base for a small carafe. The heavy tarnish suggests it has been stored without protection for a significant period.
Key Features
The distinctive six-lobed scalloped rim; molded border; flat mirror-like center; lack of ornate engraving
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (likely Electroplated Nickel Silver or Brass), as evidenced by the surface tarnish and lack of sterling hallmarks on the face
Finish & Decoration
Polished finish with a scalloped 'Chippendale' rim featuring a raised, molded edge; heavily tarnished and showing signs of oxidation
Hallmarks & Stamps
None visible on the face; likely located on the reverse. Expected marks: 'EPNS', 'Silverplate', or a manufacturer's pictorial logo
Construction Details
Machine-stamped or die-struck from a sheet of base metal, then electroplated with a thin layer of silver
Functional Features
Flat central well for holding items; raised rim to prevent sliding; stackable design
Handle & Grip Details
None; this is a rimmed plate design
Craftsmanship Details
Mass-produced quality; uniform thickness; machine-pressed decorative border; functional rather than artisanal execution
Authentication Indicators
The tarnish color (ranging from yellow to dark brown) is consistent with silver plate over a nickel or copper base; the sharp, uniform molding of the rim indicates machine production.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely USA or England; mass-manufactured in a factory setting using industrial electroplating
Era & Period
Modern / 20th Century (reproduction of 18th-century Georgian Chippendale styles)
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1980; a common mid-to-late 20th-century household silver plate item
Cultural Significance
Reflects the mid-20th-century trend of 'Affordable Elegance,' where silver-plated items allowed middle-class households to emulate high-society formal dining traditions.
Condition Notes
Fair condition; heavy tarnish and possible 'plate loss' (wearing away of the silver layer) in the center. Fine surface scratches visible under tarnish.
Value Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00 (The £4 sticker suggests a thrift or charity shop price, which is accurate for silver-plated items of this condition and type)
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver foam or cream (like Wright's) using a soft cloth; avoid abrasive pads which will strip the thin silver plating; store in a felt-lined drawer or anti-tarnish bag.
Similar Pieces
Sterling Silver Chippendale plates (which would be marked .925 and significantly heavier); Paul Revere style bowls; Gadroon-edged plates.
Interesting Facts
The 'Chippendale' pattern in silver is a 20th-century homage to Thomas Chippendale, the famous 18th-century furniture maker whose designs influenced all decorative arts.