Expert: Martin G Roberts - 1/22/2009

Question
Hi
I have a unique teapot which may be pewter or sheffield plate (guess due to
date) - it is shaped like a pumpkin and has a small pumpkin perched on
leaves of the lid. It has four feet, and in intricately inscribed with a rose and
leaf pattern throughout. 2 dings. Not a ood handle. The numbers 5 (above)
and 7 (below) are also on the
bottom. Can you give me insight as to the origin, make, value etc please?

Answer
-

Hello Suzanne,

I'm afraid 1788 is a pattern number, not a date - that is a common mistake. Arthur Furniss were making Britannia metal and electroplated (silver plate, but not Sheffield plate) wares, including teapots, in Sheffield from about 1860 to about 1910. Britannia metal is a pewter alloy used in fabricating from sheet metal rather than casting, and it was commonly used as a basis for electroplating (what is called EPBM - electroplated Britannia metal). Your description of the shape and decoration is typical of teapots of Britannia metal and electroplated teapots of the late 19th Century.

Teapots of this general type and period and very common, and values correspondingly very modest. If in excellent condition the value at auction will be less than 20 pounds / 40 dollars.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk