» Antique goods and Rarities for sale in Australia » Other » Antique Barley Twist Silver Plate Sugar Tongs / Nips

This listing is for Silver Plate sugar tong nips. Fully marked by the maker James Dixon & Sons, of Sheffield England, on their Sheffield plate, which was type of silver plate produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were deliberately intended to imitate the marks known as Hallmarks which were used to identify British pieces made of sterling silver. This was common practice at the time, although it was later banned. It does not indicate that the pieces are fake or substandard in any way. James Dixon & Sons were very well-respected manufacturer, of sterling, Sheffield plate and later electroplated silver plate, and pewter pieces, all of high quality.  The first squares are the characters & in Old English lettering. The mark to the right of the squares is trumpet & banner which they added to their initials beginning in 1879. I'm not sure when they stopped using the pseudo-Hallmark style, but think it was around 1900 (give or take). Sheffield plate was quite thick (in comparison to the later electroplated pieces) and typically held up quite well.Measures: 11cm
Please ensure you have studied all images.Payment PAYPAL ONLYPayment required within days.Postage is quoted for NSW and maybe more depending on your postcode.Registered post and insurance at buyers discretion.

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