Hi, new to the forum, hoping someone can help with identifying the silver dish we have. Marking on the bottom of dish are a Lantern then T.S & S followed by 7033 1/2 and Rd 4 51002. So far, we believe the T.S & S is Thomas Smith & Son from Glasglow, but the over numbers don’t appear to line up. Hopefully someone can help.
Thanks
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Okay, let’s go, the numbers are not important, they are production, model and stock controls in general. This same lamp was used by another manufacturer, as in the example on the website below, so I believe the company changed ownership or at least had a corporate change. I don’t know who T.S&S refers to, but it certainly isn’t Thomas Smith & Son from Glasgow.
https://wylerantiques.com/product/antique-victorian-plate-asparagus-dish/
Thank you for your help, we identified Thomas Smith & Son from Silver Makers’ Marks - Glasgow Assay Office (T) attached photo.
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But this isn’t hallmarked sterling, so the marks of makers using the Glasgow assay office aren’t applicable.
The Rd number appears to be a design registration number, and suggests a date of 1905 or 1906, but I don’t have any good reference material to track it down.
ETA: In any event, it’s definitely electroplate. The lack of sterling hallmarks establishes that fact.
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The “Aladdin’s lamp” symbol is truly puzzling. I’ve seen it on pieces clearly marked for Roberts & Belk, but also on pieces labeled E.B. Willis. And the lamp symbol is identical on all of them, not just vaguely similar! There’s also a reference to it being used by Harrod’s, just to add to the fun.
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I was mistaken, sorry, is really Thomas. Interesting site, could you share which one it is, please?
It wasn’t enough for them to share the design of the pieces, now they share symbols hahhaha
The site is this one.
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Oh yes, very confusing, the symbols don’t seem to line up with anything we have researched, any idea what the symbol is next to the number 2 on the rim?
It’s the quality of silver plate.
- “Number 1” & “Number 2”:
These numbers are used by some manufacturers to denote the quality of the silver plating. “Number 1” usually represents the best quality, with a thicker and more durable silver layer. “Number 2” signifies a thinner silver layer, potentially leading to faster wear and tear.