I have this teapot that was in my family and there is a standing lion as one of the marks and also a 125 on the bottom of the teapot. No other marks. I know that in many cases the standing lion means its sterling silver and British, but in my research I’ve learned there’s usually more symbols indicating maker, etc. I did read that the 125 could mean that it’s silver plate. But I’m hoping someone can help me identify if this is silver plate, silver and where is was made. Thanks in advance. Jessica
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It’s a last quarter 19th century silver plate on copper spirit kettle. Somehow separated from its stand and burner. Hundreds of them were made this one by a large-ish US manufacturer. The number 125 is a pattern number for the works. You can see the copper showing through around the circle round the standing lion. That is probably a thin application of copper over a brass base metal. It seems to have a dent in it but otherwise in good shape. It’s very similar to a Reed and Barton spirit kettle I had once but a different maker who used a standing lion in a circle as a trade mark which doesn’t show up on a quick search. The stand and burner will likely have the name of the maker and full trade mark on it.
CRWW
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Thank you for the info! very much appreciated. Jessica
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I understand that such a kettle will probably be frowned upon today, but as a child I can still remember our blackened kitchen range and the kettle being black with Soot.
Mum was tiny and had to use a damp cloth and pick the kettle up with two hands to manoeuvre it towards a huge brown glazed pottery teapot, wonder what she would have thought about that beautiful silver plated spirit one !!! 
. Love you Mum 
xx
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Beautiful memories, Alan! I grew up in a single-family home with a huge kitchen, where my late grandmother reigned supreme—an exceptional woman, an angel sent to earth by God. The heart of the kitchen was a Westfalia stove (coal stove), on which there was always a huge aluminum kettle with delicious boiling water. No one was ever hungry or thirsty.
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Our house was the Hub of our community, 9 of us born at home, no doctors or nurses present, just neighbours and a constant kettle of Hot water , whether it be for sterilisation or tea . What stories a kettle could tell 
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Great Story! Thank you for sharing!
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