Expert: Martin G Roberts - 9/13/2007

Question
Hi! I'am from Italy. Sorry for my bad english.I'm looking for some info about a nice teapot, recently bought.I read on the bottom :on the left:letter S,on the right number 2.Below : James Dixon & sons
Below : Sheffield
Below :1903.
Is it pewter? I would apreciate your help. many regards .Grazia

Answer
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Your English is a lot better than my Italian!

The teapot is a type of pewter called Britannia metal - that is, it is made from thin sheets of pewter that have been rolled, spun and formed to make the teapot, instead of being cast.

It was probably made around 1860, in Sheffield, England. Dixon's was a prolific factory; their wares are very common.

1903 is a pattern number. 2 may be the capacity in Imperial half-pints (if so, it quite a small teapot). S will be a workbench identifier, to tell the foreman who in the factory made it.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk