Could this be Old Sheffield Plate?

[Adam.NYC]

This silver plated swing arm basket is lacking any marks except for a tiny cryptic mark that looks like a flower? I check Bradbury's and this site but could not identify the mark -- if it is a mark! The mark I am referring to is shown in the last photo at the 11 o'clock position.

If not OSP, when would you say this was made? Thanks!

[dognose]

Hi Adam,

On the face of it, I see no reason why the piece should not be OSP, but judging for that style of manufacture from images alone in an absolute minefield.

A lack of marks is often the case with OSP, and often just a small workman's' mark is all there is to be found struck. In this case what we see, I don't think is a workman's mark at all. The patterns on these pieces, I believe, were stamped, if the marking does not reflect the pattern on the other side then perhaps what we are seeing on the under-side is a result of the pattern stamped, rejected, flattened, and then the metal used on another item, and then re-struck, leaving just a slight trace of the original pattern showing.









If the above is not the case, and is in fact a partially stuck elaborate maker's mark, then I think we can dismiss any thought of the item being OSP.

Trev.

[Adam.NYC]

Thanks so much! I think your explanation of a re-strike is possible. I found this additional mark which looks like a stamped number. Does this have any meaning as far as dating this? It looks like 401?

[dognose]

Such marks are usually internal factory pattern/batch/order numbers, often found on electro-plate items.

Trev.

[Adam.NYC]

Thanks. I will just assume it is silver plated and Victorian but not necessarily OSP.