Pinder Brothers Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) Sheffield Bowl
Hollowware (Small Bowl or Sugar Basin) · Pinder Brothers, a Sheffield-based company established in 1877 known for high-quality silver plate and pewterware.
Pattern: Plain Round Utility; no specific ornamental pattern name, standard production line.
Type
Hollowware (Small Bowl or Sugar Basin)
Maker
Pinder Brothers, a Sheffield-based company established in 1877 known for high-quality silver plate and pewterware.
Material
Silver Plate (EPNS); Electroplated Nickel Silver consisting of a nickel-copper-zinc base alloy with a thin surface coating of silver.
Dimensions
Estimated 10-12cm diameter base; likely approximately 150-250 grams based on standard EPNS wall thickness.
Description
An elegant, minimalist Sheffield silver-plated bowl by Pinder Brothers. This piece exemplifies the mid-century British commitment to durable, attractive tablewares intended for middle-class households.
Key Features
Clean industrial stamping on base; high-quality nickel silver base prevents the 'pinkish' hue often seen in worn copper-based plate.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (EPNS); Electroplated Nickel Silver consisting of a nickel-copper-zinc base alloy with a thin surface coating of silver.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with natural aged tarnish; unornamented base and body featuring a simple, modernist or classic utility aesthetic.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'PINDER BROS', 'E.P.N.S', 'SHEFFIELD'. These are trade marks rather than official assay hallmarks, indicating the manufacturer and metal type.
Construction Details
Machine-spun from a flat sheet of nickel silver and then electroplated in a silver bath.
Functional Features
Stable flat base, likely a smooth rounded rim for serving or holding sugar or small condiments.
Handle & Grip Details
None visible; appears to be a simple footless or low-profile bowl form.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial finish; the stamping is well-centered and legible, indicating good quality control at the Sheffield factory.
Authentication Indicators
The 'E.P.N.S' mark is the primary indicator of it being silver-plated rather than solid sterling silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Sheffield, England; manufactured in the heart of the British steel and silver plating district.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (likely 1940-1960) based on the clear, block-lettering stamp style used in Sheffield industrial production.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950s; the font and 'Pinder Bros' mark style are consistent with post-war production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of 'silver' in the 20th century, allowing average families to own high-shine, Sheffield-made status items.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good; significant surface tarnish and light scratching. No major dents or thinning of the base visible in the image.
Value Estimate
£10 - £25 ($12 - $30 USD). As silver plate, value is decorative rather than based on metal weight.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver foam/cream like Wright's; avoid abrasive scrubbing which will eventually wear through the silver plating to the nickel base.
Similar Pieces
Similar bowls by Viners of Sheffield or Walker & Hall; Pinder Bros pieces are often heavier and more robust than cheaper imports.
Interesting Facts
Pinder Brothers is still in operation today in Sheffield, specializing in tankards and pewter, making them one of the few surviving historical makers.