Expert: Martin G Roberts - 2/3/2009

Question
I have two pieces of JAMES DIXON & SONS, both have this name engraved in the middle. The tallest is a teapot it has a wooden handle, has 98 in front of the james the 9 being darker and larger, under name reads 1413 smaller piece, creamer two handles,only difference is no 98 has 4 above james is 1413 the year? What would you do with these? Do you know the value? Thank you so much

Answer
-

Hello Jennifer,

James Dixon was a prolific and long-lived manufacturing firm in Sheffield, England. They started in the early 19th Century, but continued until the 1970s, making all sorts of objects in silver, silver plate and Britannia metal. The latter is a pewter alloy used in fabricating from sheet metal rather than casting - that is what your pieces will be made of.

1413 will be the pattern number. 98 may be the worker or workbench identifier to tell the foreman who made the piece. If the 'creamer' has two handles, it is unlikely to be a creamer - more likely a sugar bowl.

Dixon's second son joined the business around 1835, making the business name JAMES DIXON & SONS, and that continued to be the name until the firm closed. But with a wooden handle, it is likely these are fairly early in that period, so around the 1840s or early 1850s.

I would sell them, as I am a dealer. They would go into auction, perhaps lotted with other odd bits. But they would not fetch much, as pieces like this are fairly common, and collectors are not tremendously keen on Britannia metal unless it is of a rare form or very early (before about 1820). At auction, and assuming they are in excellent condition, you might get 25 pounds / 50 dollars for them, perhaps a little more in the USA. Any damage or a poor surface will significantly reduce that value.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk