HISTORY- Old Sheffield Plate-Plate Warmer circa 1785. Before the advent of microwaves, a plate of food would be kept warm by putting coals in the bottom portion of the plate, while the top would be used for the placement of food. Old Sheffield plate is now highly sought after due to it’s rarity and age, it was only produced in quantity for around 100 years starting during the 1740′s. However, more recent electroplated silver and cheaper low quality imports are often passed off as genuine Old Sheffield Plate.
Old Sheffield Plate is the process of fusing a layer of silver on to a layer of copper and the process was discovered by accident by Thomas Boulsover in 1742. The process was an instant success, as it allowed silver smiths to produce pieces that had all the attractiveness of silver at a fraction of the cost. One of the drawbacks of Old Sheffield plate is that the silver wears away to reveal the copper underneath. Old Sheffield Plate became obsolete with the arrival of cheaper and easier process of Electroplating in the 1840′s. The insignia of discipline, fidelity, and perseverance. A motto of fortitude and steadfastness.
About Rebecca Rosen
