Viking Plate E.P. Copper Pierced Silver-Plated Dish/Basket
Hollowware (Pierced Dish or Serving Basket) · Lipman-Levinter Industries under the brand 'Viking Plate'. Founded in Toronto, Canada, they were a significant mid-20th century manufacturer known for mass-producing functional silver-plated household goods.
Pattern: Standard Production Pierced Floral/Scroll Pattern; mid-20th century production.
Type
Hollowware (Pierced Dish or Serving Basket)
Maker
Lipman-Levinter Industries under the brand 'Viking Plate'. Founded in Toronto, Canada, they were a significant mid-20th century manufacturer known for mass-producing functional silver-plated household goods.
Material
Electroplated Copper (E.P. Copper) with Lead Mounts. The base metal is pure copper, coated with a thin layer of silver through electrolysis. Decorative edges or 'mounts' are made of a lead alloy for easier casting.
Dimensions
Estimated 8 to 12 inches in diameter. Weight is typically heavy for its size due to the copper base and lead components, likely 400-700 grams.
Description
A classic example of Canadian-made silver-plated hollowware, this Viking Plate piece features intricate pierced scrollwork and a robust copper core. It represents the accessible luxury of the mid-20th century, designed to bring the elegance of Georgian or Victorian dining to the modern Canadian household. The contrast between the warm copper (visible where plated has worn) and the remaining silver lends it a storied, antique look.
Key Features
Specific 'VIKING PLATE' branding; 'E.P. COPPER' designation; machine-pierced decorative gallery; visible copper bleed-through (bleeding).
Material & Composition
Electroplated Copper (E.P. Copper) with Lead Mounts. The base metal is pure copper, coated with a thin layer of silver through electrolysis. Decorative edges or 'mounts' are made of a lead alloy for easier casting.
Finish & Decoration
Silver-plated finish with machine-stamped pierced openwork (filigree effect) and bright-cut style engraving around the cutouts. Design features scrolls and stylized floral motifs in a Neo-Rococo or Victorian revival style.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'VIKING PLATE', 'MADE IN CANADA', 'E.P. COPPER', and 'LEAD MOUNTS'. These are technical trade stamps rather than official hallmarks; 'E.P.' confirms it is electroplated, not solid sterling.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped from a copper sheet, followed by mechanical piercing. The decorative 'mount' (rim or feet) is cast from lead and soldered on. The entire piece is then electroplated with silver.
Functional Features
Pierced walls for airflow (traditional for fruit or bread baskets) and a solid base for stability. Likely features a raised rim or applied decorative border.
Handle & Grip Details
Often featured a swing handle (stationary or movable) or was designed as a simple footed bowl. Attachment points would be soldered or pinned.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial assembly-line production. The piercing is uniform (machine-stamped) rather than hand-sawn. The solder joints for the lead mounts are functional but lack the refinement of high-end silversmithing.
Authentication Indicators
The stamps are clearly modern industrial marks. The presence of 'Lead Mounts' is a standard honest disclosure for mid-market plated ware of this era. Authentically aged wear patterns show copper exposure at high points.
Origin & Manufacturing
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Manufactured by Lipman-Levinter, reflecting the Canadian industrial silver-plating tradition of the mid-20th century.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Canadian Silver Plate (c. 1940-1960), designed in a 19th-century revival style common in North American homes post-WWII.
Age Estimate
Circa 1945-1965 based on the specific typography of the 'Viking Plate' stamp and the material composition.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-war boom and the democratization of formal dining accessories for the middle class; showcases the industrial manufacturing capability of mid-century Toronto.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant 'bleeding' where the silver plating has worn away through polishing or age, exposing the orange-toned copper beneath. Surface shows heavy micro-scratching from improper cleaning. Tarnish is present in the crevices of the piercing.
Value Estimate
$15 - $40 USD. Value is mostly decorative/sentimental rather than intrinsic, as the silver content is negligible and the condition shows heavy wear of the plating.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Use a non-abrasive silver cream (like Wright's) sparingly, as further polishing will remove more of the thin silver layer and expose more copper.
Similar Pieces
Birks Regency Plate (higher quality), Poole Silver Co. (U.S. equivalent), or Sheridan Silver. Viking Plate is generally considered a sturdy, mid-tier consumer brand compared to Birks.
Interesting Facts
Viking Plate was one of the most common wedding gift brands in Canada during the 1950s. While not 'fine silver' in the investment sense, it is a quintessential piece of Canadian social history.