Ianthe of England Silver Plated Candlestick / Goblet Base
Hollowware (Candlestick / Goblet Base Subcategory) · Ianthe of England, a well-known British manufacturer of silver-plated giftware and tableware established in the mid-20th century, recognized for producing accessible decorative items with traditional English styling.
Pattern: Standard mid-century domestic silver plate line featuring classic stepped pedestal designs; production status is discontinued.
Type
Hollowware (Candlestick / Goblet Base Subcategory)
Maker
Ianthe of England, a well-known British manufacturer of silver-plated giftware and tableware established in the mid-20th century, recognized for producing accessible decorative items with traditional English styling.
Material
Silver Plated (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) over a base metal, likely brass or a copper alloy, with a weighted or reinforced interior and a felt-covered bottom base.
Dimensions
Estimated small-to-medium domestic decorative size, typical height approximately 10 to 15 cm with a flared base diameter of around 7 to 9 cm; weighted base contributing to a moderate overall heft.
Description
A charming and functional mid-century silver-plated pedestal base manufactured by Ianthe of England. The piece features a classic flared, stepped bell-shaped foot that transitions smoothly into a narrow vertical stem, offering both stability and timeless aesthetic appeal. The stamp clearly identifies its British origin and silver-plated composition. While showing typical signs of age and tarnish consistent with vintage silver plate, it represents a classic era of accessible domestic British metalware.
Key Features
Clearly legible maker's mark reading "IANTHE OF ENGLAND", traditional stepped pedestal bell base design, weighted interior with protective green felt padding.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) over a base metal, likely brass or a copper alloy, with a weighted or reinforced interior and a felt-covered bottom base.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver-plated surface with a stepped, flared circular bell base and smooth columnar stem. Features traditional minimalist domestic styling without complex chasing or engraving.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped text along the edge of the base reading "SILVER PLATED" surrounding a cartouche with the brand logo "IANTHE" followed by "OF ENGLAND". This indicates British manufacture using an electroplate standard.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured and spun metal construction with components joined by soldering. The base is weighted (often filled with a stabilizing compound like plaster or resin) and sealed with a green felt lining on the bottom.
Functional Features
Designed as a stable weighted base for a tabletop candlestick, small compote, or pedestal goblet. The stepped base ensures low center-of-gravity stability, while the felt bottom protects furniture surfaces.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable as this is a pedestal base component rather than a handled vessel.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial-grade mid-century manufacture. Utilizes metal spinning and electroplating techniques common for the period, prioritizing uniformity and affordability over hand-wrought craftsmanship.
Authentication Indicators
The stamped hallmark "IANTHE OF ENGLAND" alongside "SILVER PLATED" is characteristic of mid-20th-century British commercial plating practices. The presence of base metal telegraphs through worn areas in typical electroplate fashion.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in England, produced in workshops utilizing mid-century industrial electroplating and metal-spinning techniques common in British manufacturing centers like Birmingham or Sheffield.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century / Post-War British Domestic Design (circa 1950s-1970s), characterized by mass-produced affordable silver-plated giftware mimicking traditional forms.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1975, deduced from the typeface, the specific styling of the Ianthe logo stamp, and the prevalence of mass-market silver plating in post-war Britain.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the post-WWII democratization of domestic luxury in Britain, where middle-class households could afford polished silver-plated dining and decorative accessories.
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition. The surface exhibits moderate tarnish, minor surface scratches, and slight wear to the silver plating along high-friction edges near the base rim, consistent with age and use. No major dents or structural damage observed.
Value Estimate
Modest collector and secondary market value, typically ranging from $15 to $45 USD depending on current condition, completeness, and local demand for vintage silver plate.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with a soft cloth and specialized silver polish formulated for silver plate (such as Wright's Silver Cream). Avoid harsh abrasive dips that can strip the thin plating, especially near stamped areas. Store in a dry environment and avoid getting the weighted felt base wet.
Similar Pieces
Similar silver-plated candlesticks and pedestal items produced by British contemporaries such as Viners, Barker Ellis, and Gladwin Ltd.
Interesting Facts
Ianthe items were staple wedding and anniversary gifts in British households throughout the mid-20th century, representing an era when silver plating brought decorative elegance into everyday homes.