Stokes & Sons Boomerang Plate Silver Plated Shaker or Cruet
Hollowware (Condiment Set Component, specifically a Salt or Pepper Shaker) · Stokes & Sons Pty Ltd, Melbourne. Founded by Thomas Stokes in 1856, they became the most significant silversmiths and medallists in Australia, active under this name from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century.
Pattern: Boomerang Plate; stylized commercial line for household plateware, mid-20th century.
Type
Hollowware (Condiment Set Component, specifically a Salt or Pepper Shaker)
Maker
Stokes & Sons Pty Ltd, Melbourne. Founded by Thomas Stokes in 1856, they became the most significant silversmiths and medallists in Australia, active under this name from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). The base is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy plated with a layer of pure silver. Features a hollow, non-weighted base with two drainage/ventilation holes.
Dimensions
Diameter approximately 5-6 cm (base). Estimated total weight 100-150 grams. Standard individual table size for condiment service.
Description
An authentic piece of Australian industrial history, this base belongs to a silver-plated table service item from the renowned Stokes & Sons of Melbourne. It features clear, crisp stamping and a secondary retailer mark from Kelly & Pollard in Perth, highlighting the cross-continental trade of the era. The 'Boomerang Plate' branding was a symbol of Australian-made quality, intended to compete with imported British Sheffield plate.
Key Features
Dual-stamped markings (Manufacturer and Retailer); 'Boomerang Plate' branding; ventilation holes in base; clear Australian provenance.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). The base is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy plated with a layer of pure silver. Features a hollow, non-weighted base with two drainage/ventilation holes.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver plate with a utilitarian finish. The underside features circular machine-stamped lettering and a central oval retailer mark.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'BOOMERANG PLATE', 'STOKES & SONS PTY LTD', 'MELBOURNE'. Central oval stamp: 'SUPPLIED BY KELLY & POLLARD PERTH', indicating the Western Australian retailer. Includes the 'S&S' maker's mark.
Construction Details
Die-struck and machine-spun components. The base plate is held in place by friction or a light solder joint. Automated mass-production typical of early to mid-20th century Australian industry.
Functional Features
Concave base design for stability; two ventilation holes suggest this is the underside of a shaker or a stand for a glass liner.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - This is a base component; however, the upper body would likely have been a simple cylindrical or tapered silver-plated vessel.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial grade. The stamping is deep and legible, indicating high-quality steel dies. The spinning is even with no visible tool marks on the base rim.
Authentication Indicators
Stamps are consistent with known Stokes & Sons typography from the 1940s. The 'Pty Ltd' suffix and specific retailer mark for Perth align with historical commercial records.
Origin & Manufacturing
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Manufactured in the Stokes & Sons workshop, known for blending British silversmithing traditions with Australian industrial efficiency.
Era & Period
Modern / Mid-Century Australia (circa 1930s-1950s). Reflects the industrial expansion of Australian silver manufacture and local retail distribution.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940-1955. The 'Pty Ltd' designation and the Boomerang trade name are indicative of this mid-century period.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Buy Australian' movement of the mid-20th century, where local manufacturers like Stokes established heritage brands to assert economic independence from the UK.
Condition Notes
Good condition. Showing moderate tarnish and surface scratches consistent with use. No evidence of 'bleeding' (base metal showing through silver), though a sticker residue remains on the underside. Overall Grade: Very Good.
Value Estimate
$20 - $45 USD. Value is driven more by local Australian interest and its completeness as a set than by metal content.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth; polish with a non-abrasive silver cream like Wright’s. Avoid citrus-based cleaners which can pit the silver plate.
Similar Pieces
Hefram (Australian) or Renown (Australian) silver-plated shakers. These often feature similar EPNS compositions but lack the specific Stokes 'Boomerang' branding.
Interesting Facts
Stokes & Sons was famous not just for tableware, but for striking many of Australia's medals, including military honors and Olympic medals for the 1956 Melbourne Games.