Viners of Sheffield Silver Plate Reproduction Tray or Hollowware
Hollowware (likely a Tray, Platter, or Bowl base) · Viners of Sheffield (Viners Ltd). Founded in 1901 by Adolph Viener, they became one of the largest cutlery and hollowware manufacturers in the UK, holding Royal Warrants for King George V and King George VI.
Pattern: Sheffield Reproduction. This refers to a styling line that mimics 18th and 19th-century Old Sheffield Plate designs rather than a specific singular pattern; usually features gadroon or shell borders.
Type
Hollowware (likely a Tray, Platter, or Bowl base)
Maker
Viners of Sheffield (Viners Ltd). Founded in 1901 by Adolph Viener, they became one of the largest cutlery and hollowware manufacturers in the UK, holding Royal Warrants for King George V and King George VI.
Material
EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, which is then electroplated with a thin layer of fine silver. It contains no solid sterling silver.
Dimensions
Standard tray dimensions typically range from 30cm to 60cm. As a plated piece, it is heavier than sterling of the same size due to the density of the nickel-silver base alloy.
Description
This is a quintessential example of mid-century British silver plate. Manufactured by Viners, this 'Sheffield Reproduction' piece was designed to bring the elegance of 18th-century English silver into the modern suburban home. It features a bright silver surface and industrial-grade plating designed for durability and regular use.
Key Features
Distinctive Viners 'Dividers/Callipers' logo; the explicit 'Sheffield Reproduction' stamp which distinguishes it from genuine 18th-century Sheffield Plate; and the block-font origin stamp.
Material & Composition
EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The base metal is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, which is then electroplated with a thin layer of fine silver. It contains no solid sterling silver.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror-polished silver plate with an oxidized patina visible in the recessed stamp areas. The 'Reproduction' line typically features Neoclassical or Georgian revival aesthetics like chased scrollwork or beaded edges.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The 'W & A' over a pair of dividers (callipers) is the trademark for Viners Ltd (for Willie and Adolph Viener). Accompanied by the text 'SHEFFIELD REPRODUCTION' and 'MADE IN ENGLAND'. These are manufacturer's trade marks, not legal assay hallmarks.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or die-struck construction. The stamps are crisp and uniform, indicating industrial manufacturing processes. The silver layer is applied via electrolysis (electroplating).
Functional Features
Designed for domestic service; likely features a flat serving surface. The 'MADE IN ENGLAND' stamp confirms it was manufactured in Sheffield before production moved largely overseas in the late 20th century.
Handle & Grip Details
If a tray, it may feature cast handles soldered to the body. If a bowl, it likely has a plain or decorative rim. Handles on Viners pieces are typically cast white metal which is then plated.
Craftsmanship Details
Solid commercial quality. The stamping is precise, but the piece is an industrial product rather than a hand-wrought work of art. It is built for a lifetime of service but lacks the 'soul' of hand-chased silver.
Authentication Indicators
The absence of a Lion Passant or Crown mark confirms this is silver plate, not sterling. The 'W&A' mark is a registered trade mark well-documented for Viners Ltd.
Origin & Manufacturing
Sheffield, England. Viners was a cornerstone of the Sheffield silver industry, operating out of the Broomhall Street works.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (Post-WWII). While the style is 'Georgian Reproduction,' the 'Made in England' block lettering and specific Viners mark point to a 1950s-1970s manufacturing date.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950–1975. The specific layout of the 'Made in England' and Viners corporate logo is characteristic of their peak mid-century mass-market production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of 'luxury' dining in the UK and USA during the post-war era, where silver-plated hollowware became a standard wedding gift for the middle class.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The surface shows light 'spider-web' scratching consistent with cleaning. No significant 'bleeding' (where the base copper/nickel shows through) is visible in the photo, though the darkened stamps indicate light tarnish.
Value Estimate
$20 - $60 USD. Silver-plated reproduction pieces are common; value depends on the specific form (large trays and tea sets command more than small bowls).
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid abrasive cloths which will wear through the electroplated layer to the duller base metal beneath. Do not put in a dishwasher.
Similar Pieces
Comparable items include pieces by Oneida, Gorham (Silverplate line), or Barker-Ellis. Unlike Barker-Ellis, which often used copper bases, mid-century Viners heavily favored Nickel Silver (EPNS).
Interesting Facts
Viners was so successful in the mid-20th century that they were among the first to use 'reproduction' as a marketing term to appeal to consumers who wanted the look of heirlooms at a fraction of the cost.