AboutMartin Roberts Expertise Antique base metalware, principally BRITISH PEWTER. Expertise is in pre-1900 functional wares, NOT the decorative arts, Arts & Crafts, Art Deco or Art Nouveau - none of these are of interest to me, and questions related to such items will receive curt responses.
Before asking a question, try exploring some of the information on my website: www.antique-metalware.co.uk. The `Useful Links` page contains all sorts of pertinent information.
Experience A collector for 10 years, and a dealer for 4 years. Proprietor of the AntiqueMetalware website: www.antique-metalware.co.uk
Organizations The Pewter Society (UK); The Pewter Collectors' Club of America.
Expert: Martin Roberts Date: 3/20/2008 Subject: 1860 Rowing Cup
Question I beleive this cup was silver plated on pewter. Most has rubbed off now. The only marking under is an engraved LN. The inscription reads "Talkin Tarn Regatta, Naworth Castle, Grand Challance Cup won by the Tyne Amateur Rowing Club 1860 -61." My Grandfather brought it out to Australia when he migrated 1980. Do you think it is pewter or can you give me any information about such a trophy cup from this era? Thankyou for your time, I hope I am not wasting it!!!.
Answer -
Well done with a good description, good photos, and some good guesses. It is EPBM - electroplated Britannia metal, BM being a pewter alloy formulated for fabrication (pressing, spinning, etc) rather than casting, and yes, cheaply silver plated. This type of high Victorian piece with gaudy plating and embossed floral decoration is just about the most unpopular type of pewter there is, I'm afraid. It was probably made in either Sheffield or Birmingham.
Any value and interest lies in the inscription. Rowing trophies in pewter from this era are very common, though most are associated with well-known public schools or Oxbridge colleges.
