BACKGROUND:
Yet more Silverware or Silver plate ware that we have been asked by extended family to find new homes for ...
Another iconic Australian Silverware - Silver Plate manufacturer from the mists of time! Founded way back in 1856 by Thomas Stokes, although they moved into the production of Silverware a little later in 1870. This bowl is from the 1930's ~ 1940's period and has their distinctive "Boomrang" marking on the underside of the bowl.
Known for their high quality products, this Stokes fruit bowl is no exception and considering that it is approaching it's 100th birthday, in amazingly good condition.
STOKES - Table Fruit Bowl
Made in Melbourne, Australia
Circa 1930's ~ 1940's
There could possibly be a product code on the underside (stamped) but I cannot make out what it reads ... take a peek at the photograph below and see if you can solve the cryptic stamping!
Circular fruit bowl with open "lattice like" sides (oval shapes)
Top rim has extensive Grape motifs all around
Not sure of the base metal but this bowl is HEAVY, I suspect it is Copper base metal although the underside indicates EPNS, this feels much heavier than I would expect with a Nickel base metal.
Silver electroplated
Grade A1
MEASUREMENTS:
235mm (9.25") diameter x 50mm (2") depth
Wide rim (with the Grape motifs) is 2.5mm (1") wide (easy handling)
Open sides allow the fruit to "breathe"
Weight: 600g
Makers mark on the underneath (stamped) ...
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED Old
CLEAN
When I was "presented" with this fruit bowl, the family member had doubts I could do anything with it ... it was terribly tarnished but I could not see signs of plating failure so I took on the task of giving it a cleanup to see if it could be bought "back to life"
Using the method I always use to clean up Silverware or Silver plate, Bi-Carb in warm water with Aluminium foil. Using a soft horse hair brush (and a lot of patience!) the bowl slowly came to life once again.
Most would agree this is a pretty stunning looking fruit bowl, especially if the sunlight is streaming in the dining room window and making it "sparkle"!
Frankly, I was surprised at just how good the plating was ... barely any surface scratching or previous hand cleaning marks at all. I don't think they used this bowl very often during the last 100 years!
NO dents or other metaware damage
FLAW: Well, nothing but nothing is perfect after 100 years and I did spot just ONE small issue ... in the central area there was a very small Black dot - this indicates the plating had worn away in this area and the Black is from the oxidised metal underneath the plating. Fortunately, after the prolonged cleaning sessions, the Black disappeared and it is now VERY HARD to see the plate wear, no Black colouring and just a very small spot with a sort of "ripple effect" - most folk would need to look long and hard to see this flaw now.
I must also say that those Grape motifs are VERY difficult to clean properly in all the little nooks & crannies ... I would judge the cleaning effort as being 95% effective, I just didn't want to spend more time cleaning around those Grape bunches and leaves!
Now that some photographs have been taken, I have now placed this bowl into a completely sealed clear plastic packaging in an attempt to reduce the ever present oxidisation of the Silver as it reacts with the air to a bare minimum and at a very slow pace.
