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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: miclish on April 09, 2011, 12:46:48 PM

Title: what is this?
Post by: miclish on April 09, 2011, 12:46:48 PM

I found this in an inherited box of junk. I am curious as to what it is. It measures 8.5 by 5 inches and appears to be very old and silver. any thoughts?

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: mariok54 on April 09, 2011, 12:50:09 PM

Hi,

Welcome to this forum....   :D Could you post a few more pics?

Thanks

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: miclish on April 09, 2011, 01:11:23 PM

I hope these are better.

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: KC on April 09, 2011, 02:39:06 PM

Any markings on the underside or inside the lid?

Appears to be silver-plate.  By the size I would surmise it is a footed creamer or hot water pot that would go with a larger tea set at some point.

Love the decor.  Can you also describe it please?  Thanks in advance!

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: mariok54 on April 09, 2011, 02:51:26 PM

I was originally thinking hot water as well, but without some insulators the handle would get quite hot.

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: miclish on April 09, 2011, 03:02:52 PM

The pot is double spouted. It has a hinged lid with a griffin type character on the top. The legs have men's heads on the top and ball claws for feet. The men appear to have on wigs, and ascots around their necks. There is also filagree type detailing. I have not been able to find any markings anywhere on it. It was well used, as there are many marks on the inside made with a pointed object.

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: sapphire on April 09, 2011, 03:33:29 PM

Quote from: mariok54 on April 09, 2011, 02:51:26 PM

I was originally thinking hot water as well, but without some insulators the handle would get quite hot.

Wonder if it was for something else that's 'warming' other than water?  ;)

Would LOVE to see this piece up close!

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: miclish on April 09, 2011, 03:53:18 PM

I wish I could get better pics but I only have a basic camera- will try to find a better one. How close is close? Specific areas? Thanks everyone!

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: sapphire on April 09, 2011, 04:30:13 PM

On the bottom would 'normally' be the place to look, but it's possible it's inside the lid, on the handle or any other obscure place  ;)   

Even check out the underside of the 'feet'

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: mart on April 09, 2011, 05:52:05 PM

I was thinking creamer, but just curious as to the country you are in !!  Things like this would be seen more in GB than in the U.S. !!

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: miclish on April 09, 2011, 07:38:06 PM

No, still can't find any markings. I'm in the US. :)

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: mariok54 on April 10, 2011, 01:15:36 AM

Why would there be scratches on the inside from a sharp point? I can understand maybe from cleaning, so perhaps someone had been trying to remove some crud?

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: miclish on April 10, 2011, 08:31:46 AM

Yes, that is part of the mystery. There must have been reason for the use of a sharp implement to clean. What crud though; that is the question? There is also wear marks where it must have been repeatedly picked up and held in a certain manner. I'll probably never know. I wish the thing could talk.

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: mariok54 on April 10, 2011, 09:26:16 AM

If objects could talk... we'd probably all find ourselves in the dock!   ;D

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: miclish on April 10, 2011, 06:51:54 PM

yes- so true!!  ;)

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: KC on April 12, 2011, 03:10:49 PM

FYI, most hot water pots didn't have insulators....you got a cloth or moved real quickly!  :)

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: ironlord1963 on April 12, 2011, 04:50:13 PM

      Another thing to note is most silverplate was not made to be placed on or near a fire, Quick way to ruin a nice piece of silverplate.  From the pics it appears that this was done cause it appears the plate is missing on the bottom half.  I have seen a few silverplate items with warmer under them, but I don't think it was made to heat water or liquid in it, maybe serve heated liquid.

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: miclish on April 13, 2011, 10:23:51 AM

thanks for your thoughts! Do you know what type of metal they plated over?

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: ironlord1963 on April 13, 2011, 01:51:11 PM

From the looks at the plate loss on the Bottom it appears to be Copper, Nickle Silver was also used but that is a dull silver color.

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: mart on April 13, 2011, 05:45:36 PM

Silver plate over copper was fairly common !!

Title: Re: what is this?
Post by: miclish on April 13, 2011, 06:58:05 PM

yeah, this one is silver inside.  ;)