James Dixon & Sons Electroplated Silver Hollowware Form with Pattern A382
Hollowware (Small Cup, Beaker, or Mug Subcategory) · James Dixon & Sons, a highly reputable British manufacturing silversmith firm founded in Sheffield, England, in 1806. Known worldwide for quality hollowware, Britannia metal wares, and electroplating.
Pattern: Standard Production Line, Pattern Number A382, introduced during the late 19th or early 20th century.
Type
Hollowware (Small Cup, Beaker, or Mug Subcategory)
Maker
James Dixon & Sons, a highly reputable British manufacturing silversmith firm founded in Sheffield, England, in 1806. Known worldwide for quality hollowware, Britannia metal wares, and electroplating.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS), consisting of a white metal alloy base (copper, nickel, and zinc) coated with a thin layer of pure silver via electrodeposition.
Dimensions
Standard small drinking vessel or beaker dimensions, approximately 3 to 4 inches in height with a proportionate base diameter; weight is typical for plated hollowware featuring a nickel-silver base.
Description
An authentic antique British electroplated hollowware piece by the esteemed Sheffield firm James Dixon & Sons. The base clearly displays the classic maker's hallmarks, EPNS designation, and pattern number A382, making it a wonderful example of late Victorian mass-produced commercial tableware.
Key Features
Crisp and legible maker's mark ("JD&S"), clear EPNS purity designation, traditional company trademark symbol (trumpet/horn), and stamped pattern number A382.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS), consisting of a white metal alloy base (copper, nickel, and zinc) coated with a thin layer of pure silver via electrodeposition.
Finish & Decoration
Smooth polished metallic finish with plain surfaces, characteristic of utilitarian or modernist-influenced functional British hollowware designs from the late Victorian or Edwardian eras.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The base features the maker's mark "JD&S" in an oval punch for James Dixon & Sons, the "EPNS" stamp indicating Electroplated Nickel Silver, a trumpet/horn or bell symbol trademark, and the pattern/catalogue number "A382".
Construction Details
Machine-spun body with a shaped, stepped base plate attached via soldering. Standard commercial manufacturing techniques typical of large Sheffield electroplate factories.
Functional Features
Designed as a small drinking cup, beaker, or miniature mug intended for tabletop or bar use. Simple, sturdy, and utilitarian in function.
Handle & Grip Details
Handleless cup or beaker form, relying on a straight or slightly tapered cylindrical body for direct grip.
Craftsmanship Details
Exhibits solid commercial-grade factory craftsmanship. The stamping of the registry marks is deep and clear, and the base seam is smoothly integrated, representing the high standard of Sheffield plating works.
Authentication Indicators
The punch stamps ("JD&S" and "EPNS") match historical manufacturer registry records for James Dixon & Sons of Sheffield. The font and spacing of the stamped catalog number "A382" are period-correct.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Sheffield, England, a globally renowned historic center for steel and silver-plate manufacturing, produced in the James Dixon & Sons Cornish Place Works.
Era & Period
Late Victorian to Edwardian Period (circa 1880-1910), indicated by the specific typography of the numbers and the style of the Dixon maker's mark and EPNS stamp combination.
Age Estimate
Circa 1885-1915, based on the specific arrangement of the maker's punch marks and the form factor associated with late 19th-century British catalog items.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the Victorian and Edwardian democratization of dining and household goods, where electroplating allowed middle-class households to enjoy the aesthetic of silver on durable base metals.
Condition Notes
Moderate surface wear with visible scratches and tarnish commensurate with age. Plating appears largely intact with minor base edge wear. Overall condition is Very Good for an antique utility piece.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $25 and $75 USD depending on current antique market demand, exact sizing, and pristine preservation of the silver plating.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently using a mild liquid dish soap, warm water, and a soft cloth. Apply a quality silver polish specifically formulated for silver plate (like Wright's Silver Cream) sparingly to avoid wearing through the thin plated layer.
Similar Pieces
Similar EPNS beakers, mugs, and small cups produced by contemporary Sheffield makers such as Mappin & Webb, Walker & Hall, and Atkin Brothers.
Interesting Facts
James Dixon & Sons was one of Sheffield's most prolific manufacturers, supplying everything from fine sterling silver items to durable hotel-ware EPNS across the globe during the height of the British Empire.