Wilcox Silver Plate Co. Pattern 5051 Silver Plated Hollowware Vessel
Hollowware · Wilcox Silver Plate Co., established in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1865. The company was renowned for high-quality silver-plated hollowware and eventually became part of the International Silver Company conglomerate in 1898 while retaining its distinct brand identity.
Pattern: Pattern 5051, a standard production hollowware line from the late 19th or early 20th century. The specific decorative collection name is uncatalogued or standard utility design, typical of Victorian and Edwardian domestic silver plate.
Type
Hollowware
Maker
Wilcox Silver Plate Co., established in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1865. The company was renowned for high-quality silver-plated hollowware and eventually became part of the International Silver Company conglomerate in 1898 while retaining its distinct brand identity.
Material
Silver-plated base metal, specifically utilizing a nickel-silver or white metal alloy base underneath a heavy electroplated silver layer, indicated by the 'Quadruple Plate' stamp denoting an extra-thick application of silver.
Dimensions
Standard dimensions for a mid-to-large hollowware piece such as a creamer, sugar bowl, or syrup pitcher, with a base diameter of approximately 3 to 4 inches, and weight reflective of a sturdy plated base metal vessel.
Description
An authentic base metal hollowware piece bearing the clear circular hallmark of the Wilcox Silver Plate Co. of Meriden, Connecticut. The base displays prominent 'Quadruple Plate' markings, indicating superior thickness in silver deposition compared to standard plating, alongside pattern number 5051 C. The surface exhibits a rich, natural tarnish patina with historical polishing scratches, highlighting its antique authenticity and age.
Key Features
Distinct circular Wilcox maker's mark featuring crossed hammer and tongs, 'Quadruple Plate' designation for enhanced durability, and clear stamped pattern number 5051.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated base metal, specifically utilizing a nickel-silver or white metal alloy base underneath a heavy electroplated silver layer, indicated by the 'Quadruple Plate' stamp denoting an extra-thick application of silver.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish with standard reflective surface treatment, possibly featuring traditional Victorian chased or engraved motifs depending on the body of the vessel, showing typical circular polishing swirl marks.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Circular maker's mark featuring a crossed hammer and tongs emblem surrounded by the text 'WILCOX SILVER PLATE CO. MERIDEN, CONN.', arched text reading 'QUADRUPLE PLATE', along with the patent designation 'PAT.D' and the pattern/inventory number '5051 C'.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured and die-formed with soldered seams and applied base rim, utilizing standard late 19th-century American industrial silver-plating techniques and mass-production assembly methods.
Functional Features
Designed as a functional container, likely featuring a hollowware body intended for table service, with standard stability base ring and potential compatibility with lids or spouts depending on the specific vessel form.
Handle & Grip Details
Integrated or attached hollow/solid silver-plated handle or side grip typical of pitchers, creamers, or syrup jugs, securely soldered to the main body.
Craftsmanship Details
Exemplifies late 19th-century American industrial silversmithing, balancing mass-production efficiency with durable quadruple-plate electroplating techniques to ensure longevity for everyday dining use.
Authentication Indicators
Genuine manufacturer hallmarks featuring correct typography, authentic period factory stamps ('QUADRUPLE PLATE', 'PAT.D', and pattern numbers), and natural aging characteristics including subsurface tarnish and polishing swirls consistent with late-Victorian American electroplate.
Origin & Manufacturing
Manufactured in Meriden, Connecticut, United States, a prominent hub of American silver production during the industrial boom of the late 19th century.
Era & Period
Victorian / Edwardian Era, spanning roughly from the late 1880s to the early 1900s, indicated by the style of the Wilcox circular hallmark and the use of the term 'Quadruple Plate'.
Age Estimate
Circa 1885 to 1915, based on the specific Wilcox hallmark style utilized prior to and during the early decades of the International Silver Company consolidation.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the Victorian democratization of luxury, where middle-class households could afford elaborate, silver-plated hollowware that mimicked the appearance of solid sterling silver tea and dining services.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. The surface exhibits moderate to heavy natural tarnish (sulfide discoloration), standard fine surface scratches from historical use and polishing, and minor wear to the silver plating revealing the base metal on high-friction areas, which is consistent with genuine age.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $20 and $75 USD depending on the complete form of the hollowware piece, overall condition of the silver plating, and local antique market demand.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently using a non-abrasive silver cream (such as Wright's Silver Cream) and a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid harsh dips that strip electroplate. Store in a low-humidity environment wrapped in anti-tarnish flannel.
Similar Pieces
Similar silver-plated hollowware from contemporary Meriden makers such as Meriden Britannia Co., Rogers & Brother, and Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co., which utilized comparable quadruple plating standards.
Interesting Facts
Meriden, Connecticut, where Wilcox operated, was known as the 'Silver City' of America due to the immense concentration of silversmithing and plating corporations that eventually formed the International Silver Company.