Richard Richardson & Co. Ltd. Silver Plated Salver / Tray
Hollowware - Tray, Platter, or Salver · Richard Richardson & Co. Ltd. (often stamped RR & Co L), a well-known Sheffield-based manufacturer renowned for producing quality electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) and silver-plated hollowware during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Pattern: Unspecified traditional Chippendale-style scalloped edge salver, designated with pattern or model number 4100.
Type
Hollowware - Tray, Platter, or Salver
Maker
Richard Richardson & Co. Ltd. (often stamped RR & Co L), a well-known Sheffield-based manufacturer renowned for producing quality electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) and silver-plated hollowware during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Material
Silver-plated over a base metal of nickel silver or copper alloy (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver), standard for quality British manufactured service hollowware of the period.
Dimensions
Estimated medium-to-large serving salver, approximately 25 to 35 cm (10 to 14 inches) in diameter. Weight is moderate, characteristic of a substantial silver-plated brass or nickel alloy tray.
Description
An elegant silver-plated salver featuring a classic scalloped rim with subtle Chippendale influences. The smooth, reflective central field is framed by a decorative border, bearing the clear maker's stamp of Richard Richardson & Co. Ltd. along with the production number 4100. This piece exemplifies the refined utility and aesthetic standards of British dining and entertaining accessories.
Key Features
Clear 'R R & Co L' maker's mark, model number '4100', classic scalloped rim profile, and highly reflective silver-plated central well.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated over a base metal of nickel silver or copper alloy (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver), standard for quality British manufactured service hollowware of the period.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish on the central well with a cast and applied gadroon or Chippendale-style piecrust scalloped border along the rim, reflecting traditional Georgian revival aesthetic tastes.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Maker's punch mark showing 'R R & Co L' in individual rectangular cartouches, accompanied by the design or model number '4100' stamped below in clear sans-serif numerals. Typical trade marks for late Victorian or Edwardian British silver plate.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or spun central well with an applied, decorative cast metal rim border soldered onto the edge. Typical commercial manufacturing methods of the late 19th to mid-20th century British silver trade.
Functional Features
Designed as a footed or flat-bottomed serving tray for calling cards, tea services, or drinks. Features a raised rim to prevent items from sliding off.
Handle & Grip Details
Borderless or rim-gripped salver design without applied handles, relying on the outer scalloped edge for lifting.
Craftsmanship Details
Solid construction with clean solder seams on the applied rim, even plating distribution, and crisp stamping of maker and model numbers.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic maker's punch marks with correct letter separation and standardized pattern numbering typical of early 20th-century Sheffield plating works.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Sheffield, England, a historic hub for British cutlery and silver plating industries.
Era & Period
Edwardian to Mid-20th Century (circa 1900-1940), reflecting a revival of classic Georgian and Chippendale hollowware forms.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900 to 1930, based on the typography of the stamp and the typical style of Richard Richardson & Co. Ltd. production marks.
Cultural Significance
Represents the British tradition of formal hospitality, afternoon tea service, and the polite exchange of calling cards in domestic parlor settings.
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition with surface scratches and normal wear consistent with age and polishing. Silver plating remains largely intact with minor signs of base metal telegraphing or wear on high-use areas. Grade: Very Good.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $50 and $150 USD depending on exact size, weight, and overall condition of the silver plating.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild non-abrasive silver cream and a soft cloth to avoid wearing through the thin silver plate. Store in a dry environment or anti-tarnish cloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Similar silver-plated salvers and trays produced by Sheffield contemporaries such as Walker & Hall, Mappin & Webb, and James Dixon & Sons.
Interesting Facts
Sheffield makers like Richard Richardson utilized advanced electroplating techniques developed in the 19th century to make luxurious silver aesthetics accessible to a broader middle-class market.