Barker Ellis Silver Co. Silver Plated Circular Base or Tray
Hollowware (Tray/Base) · Barker Ellis Silver Co., a prominent British silversmithing manufacturer based in Birmingham, England, known for producing quality silver-plated tableware and hollowware with traditional craftsmanship.
Pattern: Standard Commercial Hollowware Line, featuring a simple plain recessed design without a named decorative collection pattern.
Type
Hollowware (Tray/Base)
Maker
Barker Ellis Silver Co., a prominent British silversmithing manufacturer based in Birmingham, England, known for producing quality silver-plated tableware and hollowware with traditional craftsmanship.
Material
Silver-plated over a base metal, typically nickel silver or brass, as indicated by standard British electroplate production methods.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of approximately 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) with a low profile raised rim, typical of small serving trays, underplates, or vessel bases.
Description
A utilitarian silver-plated circular base or underplate featuring a simple recessed well and a clean, raised rim. The underside displays the characteristic circular maker's mark of Barker Ellis along with extensive surface wear, scratches, and tarnish from decades of use and storage.
Key Features
Central circular Barker Ellis maker's mark, simple recessed well design, raised protective rim, and durable silver-plated construction.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated over a base metal, typically nickel silver or brass, as indicated by standard British electroplate production methods.
Finish & Decoration
Plain mirror-finished surface with a recessed center, raised circular rim, and utilitarian underside showing heavy surface scratching and natural tarnish.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Central circular maker's mark stamped on the base, containing the 'Barker Ellis' name within a scroll logo alongside traditional trade abbreviation marks denoting silver plating quality.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed and spun metal construction with a raised edge rim, typical of mid-20th-century mass manufacturing techniques used for durable silver-plated hollowware.
Functional Features
Recessed circular interior designed to securely hold a vessel, decanter, or serve as a small underplate and catch tray.
Handle & Grip Details
No handles or applied grips; simple streamlined circular profile relying on the raised rim for secure handling.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial manufacturing combining mechanical spinning with stamped maker's marks, representing solid utilitarian execution rather than bespoke hand-wrought luxury work.
Authentication Indicators
Clear, deeply stamped central circular maker's mark characteristic of authentic mid-century Barker Ellis production, accompanied by standard trade marks and characteristic wear consistent with plated base metals.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England, manufactured in the heart of the historic UK jewelry and silversmithing quarter.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1950-1970), characterized by post-war British commercial silver-plating output and standard trademark stamp styles.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950s to 1970s, inferred from the specific circular trademark typography and style of the maker's mark used during Barker Ellis's active production decades.
Cultural Significance
Represents mid-20th century domestic dining customs where silver-plated hollowware provided households with an affordable aura of elegance and formal presentation.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good condition. The surface exhibits heavy scratching, scuffs, and distinct tarnish/oxidation patterns across the underside, with no major structural dents or holes observed.
Value Estimate
Low market value, generally ranging from $15 to $45 USD depending on current platform demand, local antique market interest, and overall surface condition.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a gentle cream silver polish designed for plated items. Avoid abrasive pads to prevent wearing through the thin silver layer. Store in a dry environment wrapped in anti-tarnish cloth.
Similar Pieces
Similar silver-plated coasters, underliners, and small trays produced by contemporary British makers such as Viners, Mappin & Webb, and Elkington & Co.
Interesting Facts
Barker Ellis was formed through the merger of traditional Birmingham silver firms, continuing a legacy of accessible, high-quality British plated tableware exported worldwide.