Philip Ashberry & Sons Britannia Metal Scalloped Dish
Hollowware (Serving Dish/Tray) · Philip Ashberry & Sons, Sheffield, England. Founded in 1829, this firm was a highly reputable Victorian-era manufacturer known for high-quality Britannia Metal and electroplated wares.
Pattern: Scalloped Shell Pattern; catalog number 7401. This represents a classic Victorian utilitarian design with aesthetic scalloping for table presentation.
Type
Hollowware (Serving Dish/Tray)
Maker
Philip Ashberry & Sons, Sheffield, England. Founded in 1829, this firm was a highly reputable Victorian-era manufacturer known for high-quality Britannia Metal and electroplated wares.
Material
Britannia Metal (a tin-based alloy with antimony and copper). It is a higher-quality successor to pewter and was often used as a base for silver plating, though here it appears as unplated or with heavily worn plating.
Dimensions
Estimated 10-14 inches in length/diameter based on the '14' size stamp. Weight typically ranges from 400-800 grams depending on thickness. Britannia metal is lighter than solid silver.
Description
This Philip Ashberry & Sons dish is a quintessential piece of Sheffield industrial history. Made from Britannia Metal, it features a elegant fluted perimeter and serves as a durable, attractive alternative to expensive sterling silver from the same era. The impressive manufacturer's stamp on the underside provides a direct link to the Bowling Green Street workshop and reflects the Victorian pride in local craftsmanship.
Key Features
Distinguished by the seated Britannia figure logo and the clearly legible Sheffield manufacturer stamps. The numerical sequence 7401 is a specific internal reference for the pattern scale.
Material & Composition
Britannia Metal (a tin-based alloy with antimony and copper). It is a higher-quality successor to pewter and was often used as a base for silver plating, though here it appears as unplated or with heavily worn plating.
Finish & Decoration
Polished metallic finish with a scalloped/fluted rim. The surface is plain with a heavy stamped maker's mark containing the 'Britannia' figure logo. It exhibits a typical reflective Victorian industrial polish.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The stamp features the 'Britannia' seated figure logo, 'PHILIP ASHBERRY & SONS SHEFFIELD', size/model numbers '14' and '7401', and a date/quality letter 'P'. These are manufacturer marks, not sterling silver hallmarks.
Construction Details
Likely die-struck or spun from a sheet of Britannia metal. The scalloped edges were formed using a press or mold, characteristic of mass-produced 19th-century Sheffield hollowware.
Functional Features
Open serving surface for bread, fruit, or cards; features a scalloped rim for grip and decorative flair; typically non-porous and easy to clean.
Handle & Grip Details
None visible; the scalloped edge itself serves as the grip for the dish.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-pressed with hand-finishing for the edges and stamp application. High quality for its class, showing the precision of 19th-century Sheffield metalworking.
Authentication Indicators
Markings are consistent with known Philip Ashberry & Sons stamps from the late 19th century. The wear pattern is typical for Britannia metal, showing shallow, softened scratches rather than the sharp edges found on steel or silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Sheffield, England. Manufactured at the Bowling Green Street works, a center for the production of tea services and hollowware using colonial pewter and plating traditions.
Era & Period
Late Victorian (c. 1850-1900). The use of Britannia metal and the specific serif font in the stamp are indicative of the mid-to-late 19th-century industrial peak in Sheffield.
Age Estimate
Circa 1860-1890. The 'P' stamp and the specific phrasing of '& Sons' (formed after the sons joined the business in the mid-19th century) support this date.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the Victorian 'democratization' of luxury, where middle-class households could afford stylish, silver-like tableware made from more affordable base metals produced in industrial hubs.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. Visible surface scratches and minor pitting consistent with age and use of a softer tin-based alloy. No major dents or structural cracks visible in the image. Tarnish is light but present in the stamp recesses.
Value Estimate
$30 - $75 USD. Value is based on its historical interest and decorative appeal rather than metal content, as Britannia metal has no significant bullion value.
Care & Maintenance
Wash with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Do not use silver dips or harsh abrasives which can strip what remains of the original finish. Dry thoroughly to prevent dulling.
Similar Pieces
Similar to James Dixon & Sons or Broadhead & Atkin pieces. Unlike sterling silver, these base metal items are identified by the manufacturer name rather than a Lion Passant hallmark.
Interesting Facts
Philip Ashberry & Sons was one of the first major firms in Sheffield to embrace steam power for manufacturing, allowing them to export large quantities of Britannia metal goods to America and Australia.