Birks Regency Plate Antique Silverplate Round Tray [SOLD]

This Absolutely Gorgeous Silverplated Tray was manufactured by the renowned Birks Silversmiths of England approximately 1900-1910. It measures 13 3/4" Diameter and is electroplated on a Nickel Silver base. It is great quality and its engraved design is elaborately executed. The interior has a beautiful “foliage and scroll” design that is engraved/hand chased. The interior is framed by a terraced bevelled border of five alternating shells and gadrooning in between each shell.

COMMENT: Such An Elegant Tray Is Worthy Of Displaying A Collection Of Brilliant Cut Cologne Bottles/Decanters. It is Indeed A Classy Tray that is worthy as a gift to a dear or special friend for which you will always be remembered.

HISTORY OF BIRKS FAMILY OF JEWELLERS & SILVERSMITHS

This family of English jewellers dates back to  the Late Georgian-Early Victorian Times in England. John Birks went to Montreal as early as 1832 and opened up a little shop there. In 1840 Henry Birks was born and so goes forth the family as we know it today. In 1879 Henry Birks and his sons became known as Henry Birks & Company. In 1894 Henry and his three sons situated in Phillips Square, downtown Montreal and continued to be a world wide success.

The superior quality workmanship and world renowned reputation of this family in England and Canada for well over a century has most definitely taken a prominent place in the history books of British and Canadian heritage.

CONDITION: This Birk's Regency Silverplate Tray is in very fine condition.

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.