Elkington & Co. - Coaster (6) - Silverplated
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Description from the seller
Magnificent set of 6 coasters plated in silver, Sheffield, produced by Elkington & Co.
Rare set of great distinction, made in the United Kingdom, silver-plated. Objects of great refinement and elegance, perfect for adding a touch of class to any table with a Made in England product from one of the most important Sheffield manufacturers.
In overall excellent condition.
Diameter 7 cm, space for glass 6.5 cm.
Elkington & Co is one of the most important names in England for silver and Sheffield. They started the company in Birmingham in 1836.
In 1838 they discovered and patented a new way to electroplate one metal onto the surface of another.
A company best known for securing the early patents for galvanic silver plating around 1840, by which time production was already under way.
The Elkington & Co. company quickly realized the great potential of this discovery, so it concentrated all its efforts to gain control over this new process, buying up as many patents as possible in England and abroad, taking over rival firms and hiring all the best craftsmen of the period. Elkington thus obtained a monopoly on the galvanic process, so anyone seeking instructions had to go to Birmingham to the Elkington & Co company and pay a Royalty, which was nothing more than a fee, since their patented method was used for commercial purposes.
Royalties were not fixed, but every contract could have a different price. In fact, initially it was required that in addition to the silversmith’s mark they also include the Elkington mark.
Old Sheffield manufacturers, to switch their wares to galvanic plating, would therefore have to go to Elkington. But the pride of many manufacturers was such that they did not want to submit to their demands: only about a third of the major Old Sheffield producers survived beyond the mid-1800s.
Elkington & Co exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 held at Hyde Park in London in the Crystal Palace specially built for it. They achieved enormous success.
The company received financial backing from Josiah Mason in 1842 (renaming the firm Elkington, Mason & Co between 1842 and 1861) and it was a great success.
It mainly produces everyday items for homes and hotels in a wide variety of motifs, especially Renaissance-inspired.
It licenses silver plate to other famous companies such as the French Christofle.
Despite its predominant activity in the silvered metal sector, Elkington also makes high-quality solid silver pieces and is one of the firms that produced works designed by Christopher Dresser.
Seller's Story
My name is Riccardo, I recently graduated in Art History from the University of Florence and I am passionate about porcelain. From tableware to artist vases, from figurines to tea and coffee sets, I am fascinated by the mastery and the ability of great artisans and designers who shape this so fragile material, turning a raw mass into masterpieces with a story to tell. During my years at university I became interested in the history of 19th- and 20th-century tableware art; today, every day, I work with prestigious porcelain pieces that always have something to say to me and to those who purchase them. Of my work I love that I can discover more about the objects I find as I travel around Italy, always learning something new. I always strive to convey to my clients this passion I have for the objects I sell, certain that each one of them has a story to tell: the story of who created it, the story of who preserved it, and the story of who will give it a new life.
Translated by Google TranslateMagnificent set of 6 coasters plated in silver, Sheffield, produced by Elkington & Co.
Rare set of great distinction, made in the United Kingdom, silver-plated. Objects of great refinement and elegance, perfect for adding a touch of class to any table with a Made in England product from one of the most important Sheffield manufacturers.
In overall excellent condition.
Diameter 7 cm, space for glass 6.5 cm.
Elkington & Co is one of the most important names in England for silver and Sheffield. They started the company in Birmingham in 1836.
In 1838 they discovered and patented a new way to electroplate one metal onto the surface of another.
A company best known for securing the early patents for galvanic silver plating around 1840, by which time production was already under way.
The Elkington & Co. company quickly realized the great potential of this discovery, so it concentrated all its efforts to gain control over this new process, buying up as many patents as possible in England and abroad, taking over rival firms and hiring all the best craftsmen of the period. Elkington thus obtained a monopoly on the galvanic process, so anyone seeking instructions had to go to Birmingham to the Elkington & Co company and pay a Royalty, which was nothing more than a fee, since their patented method was used for commercial purposes.
Royalties were not fixed, but every contract could have a different price. In fact, initially it was required that in addition to the silversmith’s mark they also include the Elkington mark.
Old Sheffield manufacturers, to switch their wares to galvanic plating, would therefore have to go to Elkington. But the pride of many manufacturers was such that they did not want to submit to their demands: only about a third of the major Old Sheffield producers survived beyond the mid-1800s.
Elkington & Co exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 held at Hyde Park in London in the Crystal Palace specially built for it. They achieved enormous success.
The company received financial backing from Josiah Mason in 1842 (renaming the firm Elkington, Mason & Co between 1842 and 1861) and it was a great success.
It mainly produces everyday items for homes and hotels in a wide variety of motifs, especially Renaissance-inspired.
It licenses silver plate to other famous companies such as the French Christofle.
Despite its predominant activity in the silvered metal sector, Elkington also makes high-quality solid silver pieces and is one of the firms that produced works designed by Christopher Dresser.
Seller's Story
My name is Riccardo, I recently graduated in Art History from the University of Florence and I am passionate about porcelain. From tableware to artist vases, from figurines to tea and coffee sets, I am fascinated by the mastery and the ability of great artisans and designers who shape this so fragile material, turning a raw mass into masterpieces with a story to tell. During my years at university I became interested in the history of 19th- and 20th-century tableware art; today, every day, I work with prestigious porcelain pieces that always have something to say to me and to those who purchase them. Of my work I love that I can discover more about the objects I find as I travel around Italy, always learning something new. I always strive to convey to my clients this passion I have for the objects I sell, certain that each one of them has a story to tell: the story of who created it, the story of who preserved it, and the story of who will give it a new life.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
No. of items
6
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Manufacturer/brand
Elkington & Co.
Material
Silverplated
Condition
Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear
Height
1 cm
Width
9 cm
Depth
9 cm
Estimated period
1920-1930
