Meriden Britannia Company Quadruple Plate Victorian Hollowware Bowl, Pattern 2093
Hollowware (Footed Bowl or Tureen base) · Meriden Britannia Co., a major American manufacturer established in 1852 in Meriden, Connecticut. They were high-quality producers of silver-plated wares and a founding member of the International Silver Company in 1898.
Pattern: Pattern number 2093; characteristic of late Victorian floral and scroll motifs. Production is discontinued.
Type
Hollowware (Footed Bowl or Tureen base)
Maker
Meriden Britannia Co., a major American manufacturer established in 1852 in Meriden, Connecticut. They were high-quality producers of silver-plated wares and a founding member of the International Silver Company in 1898.
Material
Quadruple Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The "EP" and "WM" stamps indicate Electroplate and White Metal/Britannia Metal base.
Dimensions
Estimated 8 to 10 inches in diameter; base diameter approx 4.5 inches. Weight typically ranges between 500-800 grams depending on height.
Description
An ornate example of Victorian industrial silverwork, this footed bowl features the characteristic density of Meriden's 'Quadruple Plate'. It sits on four robustly cast scroll feet that elevate a lobed, floral-embossed body. It represents the era's desire to bring luxury aesthetics to the middle-class table through durable silver plating.
Key Features
Hamilton Canada mark (rarer than US marks), quadruple plate thickness guarantee, and the distinct 2093 pattern number.
Material & Composition
Quadruple Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The "EP" and "WM" stamps indicate Electroplate and White Metal/Britannia Metal base.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish on the underside with repoussé floral scrollwork visible on the lobed body and cast scroll-work feet. Style is late Victorian/Rococo Revival.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'E.P. W.M.' (Electroplated White Metal); 'MADE AND GUARANTEED BY' with the Meriden Britannia Co. balance scale/lion trademark; '2093' catalog number; and 'HAMILTON CANADA' indicating the specific production branch.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or spun body with cast britannia metal feet attached via high-temperature solder. High-volume industrial manufacturing typical of the late 19th century.
Functional Features
Four-footed stable base designed for table service. The curvature suggests a fruit bowl or the lower portion of a covered serving dish.
Handle & Grip Details
No handles visible in this view, though it likely had integrated scroll-molded edges for gripping.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality; the quadruple plate indicates a high-tier product for its time, though it lacks the hand-chased finesse of solid sterling pieces from the same period.
Authentication Indicators
The marks are deeply struck and consistent with known Meriden Britannia Co. Canadian branch logos. The construction shows appropriate solder seams for late 19th-century plated ware.
Origin & Manufacturing
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; manufactured at the Meriden Britannia Co. Canadian factory which opened in the late 1800s to serve the British Empire market.
Era & Period
Late Victorian (c. 1880-1900). Stylistic indicators include the heavy application of quadruple plate and the ornate foliate cast feet.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890-1910 based on the Hamilton factory stamp and the specific trademark format.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of 'silver' in the late 19th century, allowing middle-class households to display status symbols previously reserved for the aristocracy.
Condition Notes
Good condition. Minor surface scratches (swirls) from cleaning; light tarnish in crevices; some 'plate loss' or 'bleeding' may be present on the high points of the feet, but the 'guaranteed' thickness has preserved the overall look well.
Value Estimate
$40 - $85 USD. Value is based on the decorative appeal rather than silver content, as silver plate has negligible scrap metal value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a non-abrasive silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid 'silver dips' which can strip the thin plating. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Similar items by Reed & Barton or Forbes Silver Co. Differences lie in the specific cast foot design and the maker's trademark logo.
Interesting Facts
Meriden Britannia Co. was once the largest manufacturer of silver plate in the world. Their 'Hamilton' stamp is highly sought by Canadian silver collectors as it represents a specific era of cross-border industrial expansion.