Expert: Martin G Roberts - 10/2/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi:
I inherited 2 pewter tea pots (one wood handle-painted black, and one
pewter handle) also 2 others in the set appear to be the creamer and sugar
holder with lid?
The creamer has 'DIXON&SON' with 1821 embossed above the logo -all on
the bottom of the piece. Then it looks like a 90 below the logo. Others have
Dixon and sons also, and also like a 91 in one place and a 4 in another. Do
these hold any real value? Is the 1821 a manufacturer date? What price range
might I expect to sell the 4 pieces for at fair market value?  Thanks.
Ty

ANSWER: -

Dixon & Son (singular) pieces date c1830, while Dixon & Sons (plural) will date c1840. If the set is original, then you may have one produced on the cusp of transition as the 2nd son was taken into partnership in 1835.

1821 is just a pattern number, not a date. 90/91 are probably also pattern numbers, while 4 may indicate the capacity.

These will be made of Britannia metal, a pewter alloy used in fabricating from sheet rather than casting.

James Dixon's was a prolific manufacturing operation in Sheffield, England, and their wares are exceedingly common. However, these are fairly early examples, so less common. If in excellent condition, and an original set, it might achieve 50 pounds / 100 dollars at auction. Any damage, or poor surfaces, will reduce that value substantially.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey Thanks:
Yes, it seems like sheet metal. All are singular 'Son'.  Interesting that one has
a black wooden handle, with one has a metal handle, but both have black
wooden tops (finials?). As I look they are in amazing condition-
Just to clarify...did you believe the entire set of four pieces might achieve 100
dollars, or $100 for each individual piece?  And secondly, was there ever a
tray of some sort that originally went with the set?
Thanks again.
Ty

Answer
-

I doubt there would have been a tray originally - I don't recall ever seeing a tray of the period and type that you would expect.

100 dollars for the set. On reflection, that is a bit mean, but Britannia metal is not popular with collectors, so the principal market will be decorators, and no-one is decorating with pewter at the moment. Retail in North America, you would find individual pieces offered at 100 dollars and more, but as an auction estimate I would say 100-150 for the set.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk