Author Topic: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value  (Read 13541 times)

syl

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I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« on: March 09, 2010, 03:17:08 pm »
Hi everyone. I have this small silver serving device but I'm not sure what it was used for. The long wooden handle makes me think it was used for serving something hot. It was made by Barker-Ellis in England but I don't know if it is sterling or plate. Any ideas on age or value? This should be right up Ironlord's Alley. Thanks

ironlord1963

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2010, 03:26:45 pm »
     Nice piece for sure.  Not yet familiar with Barker-Ellis, but will look around after work tonight, unless someone can beat me to the draw.  First impression is silverplate, unless you see english hallmarks.  Being from england if it was sterling then it would be well marked as thus.  Not even sure what it is used for kinda like a fondu pot.  Probably had some kind of warmer to go along with it.  Most silver and plate it is not good top place right on a burner of the stove.   I'm sure you can find something more about it later.

P.S.  Thanks for the vote of confendience by thus far my alley is silverplate and mostly American stuff still working on the less common stuff.  Now if you have any Wm Rogers I can tell all ;D

talesofthesevenseas

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2010, 04:11:48 pm »
Although yours is a little different than the one pictured, I think what you have their is a silver sauce boat. Compare to the basic design of the one below and see item catalog number 2716 on this page:

http://www.dargate.com/cat/231_auction/231_images/231catalog.htm

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talesofthesevenseas

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2010, 04:15:52 pm »
Here are several currently up for sale at Ruby Lane for comparison:

http://search.rubylane.com/ni/search?ss=sauce+boat+wood&previd=4.15.3&sb=1
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syl

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2010, 04:55:44 pm »
Yep, I believe you nailed it 7c's. Sauce boat. And you are probably right about being silverplate Ironlord, but it sure looks like sterling, especially the inside. It has that kind of flat dull finish, not shiny like silverplate. Thanks a lot. 

talesofthesevenseas

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2010, 05:21:37 pm »
Glad I could help! I had seen one somewhere and was remembering it had something to do with gravy. My grandmother may have had one, I can't say for sure. But yours rang a bell. Nice piece, it would be great for Thanksgiving dinner!
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KC

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2010, 06:14:42 pm »
The Menorah symbol was used by Ellis-Barker starting in 1912 - The company was known as Ellis-Barker in the US and Barker-Ellis in the UK.

If you look at Barker-Ellis history it shows that they didn't merge in England until 1931.
http://www.silvercollection.it/ENGLBARKERBROS.html

If you look at Ellis-Barker history as it pertains to the US it shows earlier! (which is also the one that uses the Monorah symbol which was used until the 1940's!) The items made in the US were typically silverplate and had ENGLAND on them - whereas if it was made in England it had MADE IN ENGLAND on it!

To further back this information up I have found a quote from the International Society of Appraisers:

"I have a antique silver plated champagne bucket that is 10" in height with a diameter of 8 1/2". It is very decorative with what seems to be an extra heavy base. On the outside lip of the base are to marks. On one side there is a jewish menorah with a overlaped ring around it. On the other side there is the word england in script. Any help on this would be appreciated. Thank you.
REPLY
Your bucket was made by the Ellis-Baker Silver Companies of Birmingham, England and New York. The company started in England in 1820 and became Baker Brothers in 1860. In 1897 they opened an American branch. In 1921 they purchased Ellis Silver Company and became the Ellis-Baker Silver Company. It later became a division of Towle. The mark you describe probably would date back to about 1912. Much of the holloware that have the word "England" was made in this country. If the words are "Made in England" then of course it would have been made there.
Unfortunately there is not much of a secondary market value for silver plated items.
Thanks for contacting ISA
Bill Carner, ISA CAPP, Birmingham, AL"



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KC

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2010, 06:31:09 pm »
As to the use of this item, they did make items in this style/shape for sauces. 

Would be interested in the size of your (height/width) because they were also used for a warmed brandy or brandy sauce.

The larger ones were exclusively for sauces whereas the smaller ones were used for both!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

syl

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2010, 10:19:15 am »
I was wondering if it might be for brandy because it's not very big. Wouldn't hold much sauce or gravy. It's about 2-3/4" hi and about 3" wide at it's widest and the handle is about 8" long. If it is a brandy warmer would the intent be to hold it directly over a flame?

KC

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2010, 02:20:36 pm »
Yes Syl it would have been held directly above the heat source!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

regularjoe2

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2010, 03:31:39 pm »
Often used/sold/designed as a unit - brandy-pot , stand & burner/candle .
Some of these burners were alcohol-fueled (yeah , you could use brandy in them) .

KC

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2010, 08:09:07 pm »
Thanks regjoe for the pic!  Didn't have time to search for one when I had honey-dos to get to!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

regularjoe2

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2010, 08:29:11 pm »
You've sure been a busy fella here @ the forum .

The quad-bees have been buzzing around here too (b4 this , b4 that , etc) .

Thanks for all your efforts , KC .

KC

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2010, 01:31:12 pm »
LOL
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

rwolf

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Re: I Need Help With Silver ID and Value
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2013, 08:34:25 pm »
Hi everyone. I have this small silver serving device but I'm not sure what it was used for. The long wooden handle makes me think it was used for serving something hot. It was made by Barker-Ellis in England but I don't know if it is sterling or plate. Any ideas on age or value? This should be right up Ironlord's Alley. Thanks