Help a complete novice

[Bethofvt]

I amy be too ill informed to even use this forum. I have a sterling silver pierced ladle with lots of hallmarks. I don't even know what country it is from. Can anyone help?

[oel]

Hi Bethof welcome to the forum.

Sorry, I hate to disappoint you, but the ladle is not made out of sterling silver but made out of a non precious base metal and only covered with a thin layer of silver or silver-plated. The ladle is made by: Elkington, Mason & Co between 1842 and 1864, in Birmingham England U.K.
See: http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_E.html
For silver plated or electroplating see; http://www.925-1000.com/silverglossary2.html


Oel.