Viking Plate Electroplated Silver on Copper Hollowware Piece
Hollowware (likely a Tray, Bowl, or Plate) · Viking Plate, a brand name used by the Lipman-Levinter Industries of Toronto, Canada. The company was a major producer of silver-plated giftware and tableware for the Canadian market during the mid-20th century.
Pattern: Viking Plate Standard Line (unnamed floral/scroll border patterns were common)
Type
Hollowware (likely a Tray, Bowl, or Plate)
Maker
Viking Plate, a brand name used by the Lipman-Levinter Industries of Toronto, Canada. The company was a major producer of silver-plated giftware and tableware for the Canadian market during the mid-20th century.
Material
Silver Plate on Copper. The 'EP COPPER' stamp indicates Electroplated Copper. It consists of a thin layer of silver electrically deposited onto an underlying copper base metal.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) depending on form. Weight is characteristic of copper-based hollowware, which is heavier than nickel-brass equivalents.
Description
A mid-century Canadian silver-plated copper piece by Viking Plate. The item features a circular form with a recessed center and a decorated flange. The 'EP Copper' construction is a hallmark of the brand, offering the weight and 'ring' of copper with the lustrous appearance of silver. Once a staple of Canadian bridal registries, these pieces represent the mid-century transition from formal dining to affordable decorative elegance.
Key Features
Circular 'Viking Plate' stamp with 'EP Copper' designation. Visible copper 'bleeding' or darkening in the tarnish, characteristic of silver-over-copper construction.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate on Copper. The 'EP COPPER' stamp indicates Electroplated Copper. It consists of a thin layer of silver electrically deposited onto an underlying copper base metal.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish on the center with visible heavy tarnish and oxidation. Features a die-struck or embossed decorative border (partially visible) in a traditional Rococo or Victorian Revival style with scrollwork.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'VIKING PLATE', 'MADE IN CANADA', and 'EP COPPER' in a circular arrangement. These are manufacturer trade marks, not official assay hallmarks, and indicate the piece is plated rather than solid sterling silver.
Construction Details
Machine-made and spun from a sheet of copper. The decorative rim is likely die-stamped. The silver layer is applied via electro-deposition after the form was shaped.
Functional Features
Standard utility hollowware; the raised rim is designed to contain liquids or items. The copper base provides excellent heat conductivity if used for serving warm food.
Handle & Grip Details
Not fully visible, likely a rim-based grip or a flat surface without dedicated handles.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality; well-executed for mass production but lacks the hand-chasing or artisanal finishing of solid silver or high-end Sheffield Plate. The stamping is clear and uniform.
Authentication Indicators
The 'EP COPPER' stamp is the primary indicator that this is NOT solid silver. The absence of a 'Sterling' or '925' mark confirms it is electroplate. The wear patterns are consistent with industrial plated wares of the 20th century.
Origin & Manufacturing
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Manufactured in an industrial factory setting following North American mass-production traditions.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Canadian (c. 1940-1960). This period saw a high demand for 'luxury-look' silver-plated items for middle-class domestic use.
Age Estimate
Circa 1945-1955. The font style of the stamp and the 'Viking Plate' brand name popularity peak during the post-WWII era.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of 'silver' in the 20th century, allowing middle-class households to own items that mimicked the appearance of expensive English Sheffield Plate.
Condition Notes
Poor to Fair. The surface shows heavy tarnish and oxidation (sulfide buildup). There are significant surface scratches and circular cleaning marks. Potential 'bleeding' where silver plating has worn thin to reveal the copper beneath.
Value Estimate
$10 - $30 USD. Value is low because it is silver-plated rather than solid silver, though it retains utility/decor value. Condition issues and heavy tarnish further limit its market price.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water first. Use a non-abrasive silver cream (e.g., Wright's) only when necessary, as over-polishing will strip the thin silver layer and reveal the red copper underneath. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Birks Regency Plate (often EPNS), William Rogers Silverplate, or International Silver Co. plated wares. Viking Plate is generally considered more common and less collectible than Birks 'Sterling' but comparable to other EP copper lines.
Interesting Facts
Viking Plate was one of primary rivals to Birks in the mid-range Canadian silver market. Many of these pieces were given as wedding gifts in Canada during the 1950s.