Viking Plate Silver Plate Hollowware Base by Lipman-Levinter
Hollowware (likely a coaster, small tray, or base for a teapot/creamer) · Lipman-Levinter Industries of Toronto, Canada. Known for the 'Viking Plate' brand, they were prominent Canadian manufacturers of high-quality silver-plated wares during the mid-20th century.
Pattern: Viking Plate (Plain/Stepped Concentric Design)
Type
Hollowware (likely a coaster, small tray, or base for a teapot/creamer)
Maker
Lipman-Levinter Industries of Toronto, Canada. Known for the 'Viking Plate' brand, they were prominent Canadian manufacturers of high-quality silver-plated wares during the mid-20th century.
Material
Silver Plate over Brass (E.P. Brass). The core metal is brass, electroplated with a layer of silver. This composition is durable but contains no solid silver content.
Dimensions
Approximately 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Weight is typical for a brass-base decorative item, offering a more substantial feel than thinner nickel-silver alternatives.
Description
A clean, circular silver-plated hollowware base featuring a modern series of three concentric stepped rings. The item represents the mid-century Canadian silver industry's shift toward functional, minimalist design. While not sterling, the 'Viking Plate' brand is respected for utilizing a brass base which offers better weight and resonance than cheaper alloys.
Key Features
The 'E.P. Brass' designation which confirms it is a plated piece, and the 'Viking Plate' brand name which is highly associated with Canadian household silver of the period.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate over Brass (E.P. Brass). The core metal is brass, electroplated with a layer of silver. This composition is durable but contains no solid silver content.
Finish & Decoration
Satin to mirror finish with concentric stepped circular ridges. The design is utilitarian and minimalist, lacking ornate engraving or repoussé, indicative of mid-century mass production.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'VIKING PLATE', 'MADE IN CANADA', and 'E.P. BRASS'. These are manufacturer marks rather than official hallmarks; 'E.P. BRASS' identifies the item as electroplated brass.
Construction Details
Machine-spun or die-struck from a sheet of brass, followed by an electroplating process. The concentric rings provide structural rigidity to the flat surface.
Functional Features
The concentric ridges serve both as a decorative element and a functional feature to trap condensation or provide a stable, non-slip base for a secondary vessel.
Handle & Grip Details
None visible on this specific component; the piece is a flat circular base.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial assembly-line quality. The stamping is precise, and the spinning process created uniform ridges, showing high-quality machine control but lacking hand-wrought uniqueness.
Authentication Indicators
The stamped text is clear and consistent with known Viking Plate markings. The weight and color of the exposed metal at wear points confirm an electroplated brass construction.
Origin & Manufacturing
Toronto, Canada. Manufactured by Lipman-Levinter, a staple of the Canadian silver plate industry that utilized mechanized production to create affordable luxury goods.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern / Post-War Era (approx. 1940s-1960s). The streamlined, geometric concentric circles reflect the industrial aesthetic of the mid-20th century.
Age Estimate
Latter half of the 20th century, likely circa 1950-1970, based on the font of the stamp and the 'Made in Canada' designation.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of 'silver' in the 20th-century Canadian home, where silver-plated brass provided the look and feel of luxury for the middle class.
Condition Notes
Good to Fair. There is visible surface tarnish and significant 'pitting' or wear on the silver plate, particularly around the rim where the brass base may be starting to 'bleed' through (copper/orange hues).
Value Estimate
$5 - $20 USD. As a plated item by a mass-producer, value is decorative rather than intrinsic; prices vary based on whether it is part of a larger set.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a non-abrasive silver cream like Wright's. Avoid over-polishing as the silver layer is thin; once the brass is fully exposed, it cannot be recovered without professional re-plating. Store in a dry environment to prevent further brass corrosion.
Similar Pieces
Benedict Proctor (Canada), Wm. A. Rogers, or Marlboro Plate pieces. These are often confused but can be distinguished by the 'E.P. Brass' vs 'E.P.N.S.' (Nickel Silver) markings.
Interesting Facts
Viking Plate was once a common wedding gift in Canada; Lipman-Levinter often produced pieces that mimicked more expensive English Sheffield Plate designs but for the domestic market.