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I have a serving piece with the imprint of a seated sphinx and the words "Shefflied Reproduction". I don't see any other hallmark on it. Could this just be some other kind of metal in a Sheffield pattern? Or if it has the seated sphinx, does that mean it IS in fact silverplate? thanks for your help! Bonnie

Hello.
The term "Shefflied Reproduction" usually means that the piece is silverplated over copper.

Here's two possibilities for the sphinx mark:

John Batt & Company, London, England.
Joseph Sankey & Son, Bilston, Wolverhampton, near Birmingham, England.
They were known for their copper and brass wares. Don't know if they produced silverplated items.
http://www.oldcopper.org/sankey.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pat.

Hi Pat, Well that's a relief, because I want to give this piece to a friend for Christmas, but not if it's not even silverplate. But the sphinx imprint has nothing below or around it to identify it---no initials, or other marks. I thought maybe it simply meant made in England. Is that possible? Thanks so much for your knowledgeable reply! Bonnie

Hello Bonnie.

The sphinx mark does not indicate what country it was made in.
However, I do think it was used by either John Batt & Company or Joseph Sankey & Son, both located in England.

Silverplate maker's marks often change slightly over the years.
There was little government regulation of these marks.

Pat.

Hi Pat,

thanks for your quick reply! I looked at the mark very closely again, and it does have some rolled scroll mark the sphinx is seated on, so maybe that's a variation on the John Batt & Co mark. thank you!