HISTORY
A large percentage of the Silver plate that we have been provided with by extended family fall into the period 1940's ~ 1990's but this caddy is in a completely different realm.
Coming from the infamous Sheffield area of Britain, this condiment caddy was manufactured by Mark Willis & Son. This Silversmith began operations in the 1870's and continued until around 1919. This means the very latest year that this caddy could have been made was around 1919, but how far back from that year that this caddy left the works is anyone's guess.
The style of tableware is quite typical of pieces from the company, all Silver plated and often a tray of some sort with a formed wire top carrying section. This doesn't "feel" like a Nickel base material, it appears to be heavier and when rubbed (as I did a lot of to bring up the Silver and check for pitting) the metal base feels "warm". I would hazard a guess that the base material is either Copper or an alloy such as Brass - the latter is probably most likely.
Here is a photograph of the stamped mark on the topside edge of the caddy
Note the absence of the letters NS on the far right, supporting the view that the base metal is not the usual Nickel.
I am always in awe at the idea I am holding something which is over 100 years old and added to this is I don't see many dual condiment caddies around and lastly, this piece is in such great condition - if only I looked so good after 100+ years!
Let's get down to some details ...
MARK WILLIS & SON - Dual Condiment Caddy
Made in Sheffield, England
Circa PRE 1919
Identification has been made using the stamped impression on the TOP side of the tray. I also have found a curious stamp on the underside, it looks for all the world like a "dogs paw" Here is a photograph of it
I have no idea what this stamping means, it almost looks as though the craftsman left his mark on the tray (his moniker), much like the English fine china decorator's used to do.
Silverplate (Electroplated) Grade is unknown as it is not indicated
Four part design, meaning that the top carry section can be removed from the base which makes life a lot easier when cleaning. Interestingly (for me at least) the two Silver plated wing nuts that hold the top carry section in place look to have been HOMEMADE! The nuts just don't have the look of a machine made nut.
The top carry frame/dish support is made entirely from round metal "wire" which has been skilfully formed and Silver soldered at the joins. All of this metal is Silver plated. This frame is inserted into the base plate and held securely in place by two underside wing nuts.
This "dismantling" of the two sections makes for much easier cleaning (thank you Mark Willis & Son!) very clever.
The remaining two sections are the cut glass dishes, which fit snuggly into the top carry handle of the caddy - these are definitely NOT crystal glass but actually very well made none-the-less.
It is extremely unlikely that Mark Willis & Son made this glassware, they are not identified in any way but they are quite elaborate for just a condiment dish!
The four round "ball" feet are not removable and look to have been Silver soldered in place.
SOME DIMENSIONS:
BASE PLATE
Feet Material: Metal (Copper or Brass?) Silver plated
Four round "button" feet 22.5mm OD
Material: Either Copper or Brass base plate with all over Silver plating
TOP CARRY HANDLE & CONDIMENT DISHES SUPPORT FRAME
Material: Round solid wire, 3.5mm OD formed and Silver soldered where applicable
CONDIMENT DISHES:
Material: Glass
Decoration: Cut (not etched) patterns to the front/sides and the base but no decoration at the rear of the dish.
Glass wall thickness: 4.75mm
127mm wide x 86mm front to back - these measurements made at the widest points
Walls are 35mm high
Each dish will hold a considerable amount of your favourite condiments or, as my wife did just last weekend, use it for "candy treats" instead!
DUAL CONDIMENT CADDY OVERALL:
200mm x 140mm x 140mm height (to the top of the carry handle)
The feet mean that the caddy will sit 14mm off the table surface
Carrying Weight: 720g
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Now this is the part which really matters! Be realistic here! This caddy is over 100 years old and has been used but NOT ABUSED!
CLEAN
Yes, I did have to use Silver polish initially but also then cleaned the entire caddy using the Bi-Carb method for those tricky to get to areas.
Very high lustre (Oh you bright shiny thing, you!)
Yes, I can see light surface scratches on the base plate, both topside and underneath but NO heavy scratches or marks - just normal, careful use and cleaning.
The top carry frame doesn't have any obvious marks or scratches but in places I could both feel and see very small (dots) signs of plating failure, not wear so much. I didn't spend a lot of time cleaning this caddy up as it was already in very good condition and perhaps more cleaning would further improve both the carry frame and base plate.
The top frame is not misshapen at all.
The base sits LEVEL on a flat surface and is very stable - no wobbles!
The two cut glass dishes are ALMOST perfect, while cleaning I did notice a sliver of glass missing from the rear of both dishes - one I could see and feel while the other was more difficult to see and I couldn't easily feel it with my finger. The slivers are at the REAR of the dish, not normally visible by the table guests!
SPECIAL NOTE: Please please handle the dishes with care! These are "custom made" to fit this caddy and if a disaster should occur (such as dropping one), it is extremely unlikely you could find a replacement.
This is a fine example of a product from Mark Willis & Son in Sheffield. Imagine this ... the Silversmiths (and glassware manufacturer) created this caddy right after (assumed, it could have been earlier too) World War ONE - OMG!
For an item that is 100+ years old to be in such great condition is indeed a wonder (to us at least) I only wish my wife and I both looked as good at 100 years old!
A final, final note. Those who have bought some of our items in the past will know that we pack EXTREMELY well, even those these items are leaving our home (or those of the extended family) we want the item to arrive in the same condition as it left us ... most folk are astounded at the lengths we go to ensuring safe shipping of our items.
