Webster & Wilcox Antique Silverplate Square Tray

This Wonderful Square Antique Silverplate Service Tray was manufactured by the Webster & Wilcox Silversmiths of the International Silver Company, USA, approximately 1910. It is electroplated on a copper base and has a square measurement of 14 1/2". The pattern name is “Rochelle”. The corners exhibit a medallion with acanthus leaf and scroll edge motif and has a very elaborate engraved interior scroll and floral motif. Just Gorgeous!

COMMENT: This Very Sophisticated Antique Silverplate Tray Is Of Exceptional Quality And Has Great Weight. It Can Easily Add A Touch of Class To An Entertaining Occasion. It Can Also Make A Great Gift For A Great Friend!

Webster & Wilcox Silversmiths:

Webster & Wilcox was originally founded by George K. Webster in 1869 in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. The Wilcox Silver Plate Company was located in Meriden, Connecticut, USA. Eventually like many other silver companies, International Silver Company gobbled this company up as well.

CONDITION: This fabulous square silverplate tray is in very fine condition except for very minor surface wear that is acceptable for silverplate of this vintage. There is no bleeding of the copper base metal. It cleans up well and shines brilliantly.

SILVERPLATE CONDITION NOTE:

Some minor conditional problems that are a common occurrence or commonplace with "antique and vintage" silverplate pieces which are considered acceptable and by general standards considered as "patina" are minor or light surface scratching and slight wear or minor bleeding of the base metal which is generally copper, brass or Britannica metal.

• Teapots, Coffee pots and Jugs generally show some "interior" discoloration at the bottom and pitting due to the chemical interaction of the tea, coffee or other beverages with the various base metals if left sitting for long time periods and not properly cleaned after each usage. Teapots almost always have discoloration on the "interior" bottom.
• Trays normally have light surface scratching and bleeding of the base metal. Antique and Vintage Trays almost always show surface wear on the reverse side (back side).
• Flatware, for example forks, knives, spoons, etc., because of their usage, will on many occasions exhibit some light surface scratching.
• Candlesticks, at the insert top section, sometimes will exhibit slight discoloration where the candle burns too low; also sometimes on the underneath side of the base, wear will show.
• Entree Dishes, if not accompanied with glass liners, will also sometimes have interior bottom surface scratches resulting from utensils having been used while serving.

"Antique and Vintage Silverplate" are not "new" items and therefore will almost always exhibit slight wear (bleeding) and light surface scratching. Normally if there is any relief work, that is embossing or floral, many times it will show slight bleeding of the base metal.

Many Victorian Art Nouveau and Edwardian pieces of silverplate will almost always show bleeding and sometimes need re-silvering. Re-silvering is frowned upon and is not always recommended by purists, especially when it comes to Georgian and Early Victorian silverplate. Re-silvering of really early pieces, Georgian to Mid-Victorian, can devalue pieces. Generally speaking, "re-silvering" is a personal matter of choice.