Philip Ashberry & Sons Britannia Metal Sheffield Serving Vessel
Hollowware (likely a base for a tea set, tureen, or tray) · Philip Ashberry & Sons, Sheffield, England. Founded in 1829, they were a major British firm renowned for their high-quality britannia metal and silver-plated wares, eventually becoming a limited company in 1900.
Pattern: Pattern No. 666z; typical of Victorian industrial manufacturers who used numeric catalog identifiers rather than named collections.
Type
Hollowware (likely a base for a tea set, tureen, or tray)
Maker
Philip Ashberry & Sons, Sheffield, England. Founded in 1829, they were a major British firm renowned for their high-quality britannia metal and silver-plated wares, eventually becoming a limited company in 1900.
Material
Britannia Metal (an alloy of tin, antimony, and copper). The stamp 'BRITANNIA' indicates this is not sterling silver, but a pewter-based alloy often used as a base for silver plating (EPBM).
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of base approximately 15-20cm; Britannia metal is lighter than sterling silver, likely weighing between 400-800 grams depending on the full assembly.
Description
This is the underside base plate of a Victorian serving piece by the famed Sheffield maker Philip Ashberry. Crafted from Britannia metal, it represents the industrial innovation of 19th-century England, providing the luster of silver at a more accessible price point. The piece features a distinct trade mark of Britannia, a symbol of British manufacturing pride.
Key Features
Presence of the Britannia trade mark; pattern number 666z; wing-nut assembly indicating a multi-part decorative object; specific Ashberry & Sons serif typography.
Material & Composition
Britannia Metal (an alloy of tin, antimony, and copper). The stamp 'BRITANNIA' indicates this is not sterling silver, but a pewter-based alloy often used as a base for silver plating (EPBM).
Finish & Decoration
Polished metallic finish with visible oxidizing; the surrounding structure shows soldered joints and a wing-nut assembly, suggesting a utilitarian or structural underside of a decorative centerpiece.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped with the Philip Ashberry & Sons trade mark (a seated figure of Britannia holding a trident), the manufacturer name, 'SHEFFIELD', industrial pattern number '666z', and a production code 'K'.
Construction Details
Spun or cast base with machine-stamped markings; features a threaded steel or brass bolt with a wing-nut for securing a removable upper component or finial.
Functional Features
Mechanical assembly through a central bolt; the wing-nut allows for disassembly for cleaning or storage, common in complex Victorian table centerpieces and cruet stands.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - Image shows the underside of the base; however, the wing-nut acts as a manual tightening grip for structural assembly.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship for its day; clean stamp strikes and balanced proportions, though the use of a wing-nut indicates a move toward mechanical assembly over traditional hand-forging.
Authentication Indicators
The 'Britannia' stamp is a standard indicator that this is NOT sterling silver; the trade marks align perfectly with documented Ashberry & Sons catalog marks from the mid-to-late 1800s.
Origin & Manufacturing
Sheffield, England. Manufactured in the Ashberry works, known for mass-production techniques that brought decorative 'silver-look' items to the middle-class market.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (late 19th Century, approx. 1860-1890); the Ashberry trade mark and numbering style are quintessential to this period of Sheffield industrial expansion.
Age Estimate
Circa 1870-1890 based on the Ashberry & Sons styling (pre-1900 incorporation) and the specific typography of the 'Sheffield' stamp.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in the Victorian era, where Britannia metal allowed the growing middle class to display elaborate table settings previously reserved for the aristocracy who could afford solid silver.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible surface oxidation (dark spots), light scuffing, and minor pitting consistent with age. The wing-nut and bolt show some surface corrosion but remain functional.
Value Estimate
$40 - $120. Value is limited because it is not solid silver; however, Ashberry pieces are collectible among regional Sheffield historians and Victorian decorative arts enthusiasts.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild soapy water; avoid harsh silver dips which can strip the surface or damage Britannia metal. Use a soft pewter polish or specialized Britannia metal cleaner to maintain the luster.
Similar Pieces
James Dixon & Sons or Atkin Brothers Britannia metal pieces. These competitors used similar alloys but different maker marks (like the Dixon trumpet mark).
Interesting Facts
Philip Ashberry was a pioneer in using Britannia metal; his firm won numerous awards at the Great Exhibition of 1851 for their high-quality metalwork and innovative manufacturing.