Expert: Martin G Roberts - 10/13/2008

Question
I have had a beautiful James Dixon pewter warming plate. The pewter is fronted by a blue and white china plate with a symmetrical floral design.The dish has 2 handles and a spout with cap for the hot water to be contained. On the back it has a large capital B. then James Dixon & sons below.Sheffield is listed below. A decorative trumpet with flag is on top of the number 1273. How old would this be and what stories could it possibly tell?

Answer
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It dates from the late 19th Century, and was made in Sheffield, England, by the most prolific maker of Britannia metal (a pewter alloy used in fabricating from sheet).

I guess most stories would centre on how food looks from underneath, the scalding of the water, or the pleasure of being polished by a housekeeper!

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk