Elkington Mason & Co Publishers Bowl

[TammyG]

Hello,
Could this be some sort of promotional/award item? The crest inside with the marks seems odd? The inside shows the wires(?) expanding from the center out. Other than the inside crest I cannot find any other marks, such as a date letter.
Many Thanks,
Tammy
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[dognose]

Hi Tammy,

Your bowl can be dated to 1842-1862 the period when Josiah Mason was a partner at Elkington's.
You are probably right in thinking that it may be a promotional item, as it is just the sort of piece that would have been made for the Great Exhibition at London in 1851.

Regards Trev.

[TammyG]

Hi Trev,
Thanks for the reply; I have 2 questions, if I may. The inside of the bowl has wires that radiate out, is this a certain method of creating the bowl, excuse me if I sound uninformed, but I seem to have seen something on a site, some sort of soldering? Secondly, I have been on the silvercollection site to learn more about Elkington and still wonder if the marks in the crest relate to any hallmarks?
Thanks again,
Tammy

[dognose]

Hi Tammy,

I'm not aware of a construction method using wires, but this was a time of great experimentation, so maybe.
The mark that has been applied shows part of the Royal Coat of Arms and is not connected in any way to the Hallmarking system.

Regards Trev.

[admin]

I believe your piece is an example of the electroforming process. It was probably a replica made after a piece in a museum or private collection.

It is a silverplate piece, therefore the term "hallmarks" cannot apply to any marks on it. The crest is simply a part of the manufacturer's trademark.

Regards, Tom

[dognose]

Hi,

I came across a reference that Henry Cole, the Director of the Department of Science and Art (now the Victoria and Albert Museum), gave in 1853, permission to Elkington to reproduce certain items in the national collection. These items were marked with an raised oval mark stating that the object was an approved copy of an original belonging to the Dept. of Science and Art, and was clearly marked as such and similar in many respects to the mark above. However, apparently it is known that Elkington also reproduced some pieces unofficially with their own mark.

It was probably a replica made after a piece in a museum or private collection

Looks like Tom was spot on.

Trev.

[TammyG]

Hello,
Thank you for your detailed response, I have learned so much of history from all of the replies which led to discovering what the Great Exhibition of 1851 was all about, "the defining moment of the 19th Century"(Prince Albert), and who Sir Josiah Mason was. Thank you. I am a little confused about the electroforming/silverplating part-I am thinking the odd wires have something to do with replicating/copying the original?

Tam