Elkington & Co. Silver-Plated Open Salt Cellar with Cobalt Blue Glass Liner and Salt Spoon
Hollowware (Salt Cellar) and Flatware (Salt Spoon) · Elkington & Co. of Birmingham, England. Founded in the 1830s, Elkington was the preeminent pioneer of the commercial electroplating process and held a Royal Warrant for Queen Victoria.
Pattern: Classic Georgian Style Revival with Beaded Border; Spoon features a Shell/Fiddle variant pattern.
Type
Hollowware (Salt Cellar) and Flatware (Salt Spoon)
Maker
Elkington & Co. of Birmingham, England. Founded in the 1830s, Elkington was the preeminent pioneer of the commercial electroplating process and held a Royal Warrant for Queen Victoria.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) on the cellar; the spoon is likely sterling or matching EPNS. Includes a cobalt blue glass insert.
Dimensions
Cellar: Approx. 5cm diameter, 3.5cm height. Spoon: Approx. 6.5cm length. Combined weight (excluding glass) ~40-60 grams.
Description
A classic English table appointment comprising a heavy-gauge silver-plated mount surrounding a vibrant cobalt blue glass liner. This set represents the refined dining etiquette of the mid-20th century, utilizing Elkington's famous plating durability.
Key Features
Industrial-era hallmarks, deep cobalt blue glass contrast, intact original proportion between spoon and cellar.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) on the cellar; the spoon is likely sterling or matching EPNS. Includes a cobalt blue glass insert.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver-plate finish. Decorative elements include a beaded rim on the cellar and a Rococo-style shell motif on the spoon bowl and handle tip.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The cellar is stamped with 'ELKINGTON', 'B & CO', 'MADE IN ENGLAND', and a date letter/mark 'P' (representative of mid-20th century production).
Construction Details
Machine-pressed and spun body with die-struck beaded edge. The glass liner is mold-blown or pressed to fit the specific interior diameter of the silver mount.
Functional Features
Removable glass liner to prevent salt corrosion of the metal; flared rim for easy finger-access or spoon use.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A for cellar; spoon features a slender handle with a terminal crest for easy gripping between thumb and forefinger.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship. Precise beading and deep, legible marking indicate a firm with high quality-control standards.
Authentication Indicators
Clear, deep stamps on the underside; thickness of the silver indicates Elkington high-quality plating; authentic color of the cobalt glass.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England; manufactured in the Elkington & Co. industrial workshops.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1940-1960), designed in the Georgian/Neoclassical Revival style.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950s based on the 'MADE IN ENGLAND' industrial stamp and the specific font of the Elkington maker's mark.
Cultural Significance
Before the invention of anti-clumping agents in the 1920s, salt was served in 'open' cellars. These items remained staples of formal English dining as prestige objects long after shakers became common.
Condition Notes
Very Good condition. Minor surface scratches and tarnish visible; no chips to the blue glass liner; plating remains largely intact without 'bleeding' of base metal.
Value Estimate
$40 - $75 USD for the set, depending on regional demand and completeness.
Care & Maintenance
Wash glass liner by hand; polish silver mount with a non-abrasive cream like Wright's. Avoid dishwasher use which can strip plating and cloud glass.
Similar Pieces
Mappin & Webb Silver-Plate Salts (similar quality), Gorham Sterling Salts (higher material value), or Sheffield Reproduction Salts.
Interesting Facts
Elkington & Co. provided the silver services for many luxury ocean liners, including the Titanic, underscoring their reputation for durable, high-end plating.