James Dixon & Sons Silver-Plated Table Piece, Style No. 4734 D
Hollowware/Tableware Accessory · James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield, England. Founded in 1806, Dixon & Sons was one of the most prolific and prestigious manufacturers of the Victorian era, known for high-quality Britannia metal, Old Sheffield Plate, and EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver).
Pattern: Unidentified pattern, identified by factory catalog number 4734 D. Most Dixon hollowware from this period was sold by catalog number rather than named collections.
Type
Hollowware/Tableware Accessory
Maker
James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield, England. Founded in 1806, Dixon & Sons was one of the most prolific and prestigious manufacturers of the Victorian era, known for high-quality Britannia metal, Old Sheffield Plate, and EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver).
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Britannia Metal Base with silver plating. The presence of 'D' typically indicates a specific metal thickness or size variant in Dixon’s internal coding.
Dimensions
Dimensions unknown from image; however, '4734' suggests a standard table accessory size, likely 15-25cm in width/length. Weight is characteristic of heavy-gauge base metal alloy.
Description
A classic example of late 19th-century British industrial craftsmanship, this piece features the prestigious marks of James Dixon & Sons. The clear, deep striking of the hallmark indicates a piece intended for the middle-to-upper-class market, where the Dixon name guaranteed longevity and aesthetic appeal. The trumpet logo is one of the most recognized marks in the history of silver plating.
Key Features
The 'Trumpet with Banner' logo and the 'Crossed Pistols/Swords' mark are the primary diagnostic features, confirming the item is not solid sterling silver but high-grade silver plate.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Britannia Metal Base with silver plating. The presence of 'D' typically indicates a specific metal thickness or size variant in Dixon’s internal coding.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver finish with a plain, unornamented surface shown in the focus area. The style is utilitarian with a focus on clear branding and numbering.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Featuring the 'J.D & S' maker's mark in four distinct shields: a Trumpet with Banner (company logo), and the letters 'J', 'D', '&', 'S'. Below is the iconic 'Crossed Pistols/Swords' mark and the catalog/model number '4734 D'.
Construction Details
Industrial high-quality manufacturing involving die-striking or spinning, followed by electroplating. The crispness of the stamps indicates a sturdy base metal and professional factory striking.
Functional Features
The flat surface and heavy stamping suggest the base of a tray, teapot, or candlestick, designed for stability and durability in daily use.
Handle & Grip Details
Not visible in the provided hallmark close-up, but Dixon pieces typically featured insulated handles (wood or ivory) on pots or cast metal handles on trays.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent factory-grade execution. The stamps are aligned and deep, showing the high standards of the Dixon workshop compared to cheaper contemporary mass-market silver plate.
Authentication Indicators
The marks are consistent with known James Dixon & Sons registry. The absence of a Lion Passant or a Leopard’s Head confirms this is plated and not sterling silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Sheffield, England. Manufactured at the Cornish Place Works, which was one of the largest and most advanced factories of its kind in the 19th century.
Era & Period
Late Victorian / Edwardian Era (c. 1880-1915). This was the peak of Sheffield's industrial silver plate production.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890-1910. The specific arrangement of the trumpet mark and the numerical stamping style is typical of this twenty-year window.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in the 19th century, allowing middle-class households to own 'silver' that looked and felt like solid sterling but was manufactured using modern industrial techniques.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The surface shows fine 'spider-web' scratching consistent with age and regular polishing. No evidence of 'bleeding' (base metal showing through) is visible in this area.
Value Estimate
$40 - $150 USD depending on the full form of the object. Plated items hold value based on their decorative appeal rather than metal weight.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid abrasive cleaners or 'dips' which can strip the thin layer of electroplated silver and reveal the duller nickel-silver base.
Similar Pieces
Walker & Hall or WMF (German) silver-plated hollowware products. Walker & Hall uses a flag logo, while Dixon uses the trumpet.
Interesting Facts
James Dixon & Sons famously produced the silver trophies for the first Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Their 'Cornish Place' factory in Sheffield is now a protected historical site.