Electroplated Silver Repoussé Nut Dish / Bonbonniere with Celtic Revival Motifs
Hollowware - Small Bowl/Dish · Unknown manufacturer, likely an English firm specialized in electroplated giftware such as Elkington, Barker Ellis, or a generic Sheffield maker. These items were mass-produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Pattern: Generic Celtic/Roman Revival Pattern featuring a central quatrefoil and stylized foliate border.
Type
Hollowware - Small Bowl/Dish
Maker
Unknown manufacturer, likely an English firm specialized in electroplated giftware such as Elkington, Barker Ellis, or a generic Sheffield maker. These items were mass-produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Silver Plate over copper. The warm yellow/brassy glint visible in high-wear areas suggests a base metal of nickel silver or copper rather than solid sterling.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter: 5-7 inches (12-18 cm). Typical weight for a plated dish of this size: 100-150 grams.
Description
This is a charming example of late 19th-century silver-plated hollowware. The dish features a highly reflective surface with intricate relief work. The center is anchored by a stylized quatrefoil, a design often associated with luck and protection, framed by a delicate geometric ring. The scalloped edges provide a playful silhouette, while the repeated lotus-like motifs on the rim add a sense of formal rhythm. It represents the democratization of luxury during the industrial age.
Key Features
Scalloped 'pie crust' edge; deep repoussé foliate rim; central Celtic quatrefoil medallion; Greek key secondary border.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Silver Plate over copper. The warm yellow/brassy glint visible in high-wear areas suggests a base metal of nickel silver or copper rather than solid sterling.
Finish & Decoration
Repoussé and chased decoration. The piece features a scalloped edge, a wide rim with embossed foliate/teardrop motifs, and a central medallion with a quatrefoil celtic knot surrounded by a Greek key or geometric border.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Estimated marks on the reverse would likely include 'EPNS', 'Made in England', or a manufacturer's pictorial mark. No hallmarks are visible in the photo, but the crispness of the relief suggest die-stamping.
Construction Details
Machine die-stamped from a flat sheet of base metal. The uniform depth of the depressions and the repetitive nature of the border indicate industrial production rather than hand-raising.
Functional Features
Wide scalloped rim for easy handling; shallow well for holding candies, nuts, or as a trinket dish. No mechanical parts.
Handle & Grip Details
No separate handles; the wide, flared scalloped rim serves as the functional grip surface.
Craftsmanship Details
Good quality commercial production. The die-stamping is deep and crisp, providing excellent light play despite being a mass-produced item.
Authentication Indicators
The visual 'softness' of the metal and the high-shine finish indicate electroplate rather than sterling. The repetitive, perfect symmetry of the border motifs is a hallmark of machine-stamping common in the 1890-1910 period.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely Birmingham or Sheffield, England, which were the world hubs for electroplating and die-stamped silver giftware during this era.
Era & Period
Late Victorian or Edwardian (c. 1890-1915). This period saw a significant 'Celtic Revival' and 'Neo-Classical' influence in mass-market silverware.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900. The specific style of the foliate border is very typical of the transition between Victorian ornate styles and the more symmetrical Edwardian tastes.
Cultural Significance
Represents the rise of the middle-class dining culture, where plated silver allowed families to emulate the 'Grand Manner' of the aristocracy at a fraction of the cost of solid silver.
Condition Notes
Good condition. There is visible surface tarnish and light 'verdigris' or oxidation in the crevices. High points show some loss of silver plating (bleeding), revealing the base metal underneath. Overall structural integrity appears solid without major dents.
Value Estimate
$20 - $45 USD. Being silver plate rather than sterling silver, the value is primarily decorative and historical rather than based on metal content.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's) and a soft cloth. Avoid aggressive polishing, as the silver layer is thin and can be 'rubbed through' to the base metal. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany & Co. Winthrop pattern (higher quality/sterling), various Sheffield plate bonbon dishes, or Webster Co. sterling nut dishes (which are often smaller and weighted).
Interesting Facts
Items like this were often sold as 'Sunday Best' table accessories or wedding gifts. The quatrefoil in the center was popularized by the Gothic and Celtic Revival movements championed by designers like A.W.N. Pugin.