Wilcox Silver Plate Co. Pattern 5051 Silver Plated Hollowware Vessel
Tea/Coffee Service (Teapot or Hollowware Vessel) · Wilcox Silver Plate Co., established in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1865. Known for quality Victorian and Edwardian silver-plated hollowware, later absorbed into the International Silver Company in 1898.
Pattern: Pattern 5051, a standard hollowware design line produced around the late 19th or early 20th century.
Type
Tea/Coffee Service (Teapot or Hollowware Vessel)
Maker
Wilcox Silver Plate Co., established in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1865. Known for quality Victorian and Edwardian silver-plated hollowware, later absorbed into the International Silver Company in 1898.
Material
Silver Plated (Electroplated White Metal / EPNS or similar base metal alloy such as nickel silver)
Dimensions
Base diameter approximately 7 to 9 cm, capacity marked as 1 Pint
Description
This bottom view highlights the authentic circular maker's mark of the Wilcox Silver Plate Co. of Meriden, Connecticut. The base displays characteristic concentric lathe-turning lines from manufacturing, alongside the clear 'QUADRUPLE PLATE' stamp indicating superior electroplate thickness for durability, accompanied by pattern number 5051 and a 1-pint capacity designation.
Key Features
Circular Wilcox hallmark with crossed hammers logo, 'Quadruple Plate' designation, pattern number 5051, and explicit 'PINT' capacity stamp
Material & Composition
Silver Plated (Electroplated White Metal / EPNS or similar base metal alloy such as nickel silver)
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish with smooth curved surfaces, circular lathe-turned polishing concentric lines visible on the base underside
Hallmarks & Stamps
Circular hallmark reading "QUADRUPLE PLATE / WILCOX SILVER PLATE CO. / MERIDEN, CONN." surrounding a crossed hammer and pickaxe maker symbol, with pattern number "5051" and size/capacity indicator stamp "PINT" below.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured electroplated hollowware, featuring spun body components and soldered joins with lathe-finished base interiors
Functional Features
Designed as a personal or small-service beverage vessel with a 1-pint capacity, featuring a flat-bottomed circular base with concentric spin rings for stability
Handle & Grip Details
Not clearly visible in full context, but typically paired with insulators or matching cast metal handles depending on the hollowware piece
Craftsmanship Details
Typical of late 19th-century American industrial silverplate production, combining efficient mechanical spinning and lathe work with clear, high-pressure maker's mark stampings
Authentication Indicators
Clear, deep stamp impression of the Wilcox circular trademark, correct typeface for pattern 5051, and authentic lathe-turned spinning marks characteristic of late 19th-century American hollowware manufacturing
Origin & Manufacturing
Meriden, Connecticut, United States, produced during the height of the American silver-plate industry boom
Era & Period
Victorian / Edwardian Era (Late 19th to early 20th Century, c. 1880-1910)
Age Estimate
Circa 1880-1910 based on the Wilcox circular hallmark style and incorporation into International Silver Co. era production standards
Cultural Significance
Reflects the Victorian expansion of accessible domestic luxury, where electroplating allowed middle-class households to enjoy elegant, silver-plated tea and coffee services previously reserved for the wealthy
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition with expected surface micro-scratches from base contact, light tarnish/oxidation rings, and intact plating with no visible base metal bleed-through
Value Estimate
Modest collector value ranging from $30 to $100 depending on the completeness of the tea/coffee set, overall exterior condition, and local demand for antique American silverplate
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with a soft cloth and a mild silver cream approved for plated items. Avoid harsh abrasives that can wear through the quadruple plating layer. Store in a dry environment or anti-tarnish bag.
Similar Pieces
Similar hollowware pieces by Wilcox, Meriden Britannia Co., Rogers & Brother, and other International Silver predecessor companies from the late Victorian period
Interesting Facts
Meriden, Connecticut was famously known as the 'Silver City' due to the dense concentration of silver and plate manufacturers, with Wilcox being one of the prominent firms that eventually formed the backbone of the International Silver Company conglomerate