A nice quality 19th century antique Genuine "Old Sheffield Plate" silver plate hot water samovar. Cylindrical urn shaped body raised on a pedestal base. Beautifully decorated on the base & top rim with embossed foliate decoration. Lifting handle on either side with turned wooden insert & a lift off circular lid on the top with wooden finial. Pouring spout on the front with integrated lever tap which is in fine working order. Evidence of genuine "Old Sheffield Plate" can be seen by the signs of the copper ingot underneath the silver, the presence of different colour solder on the joints & the rims can be seen to have been folded around the edge. Lovely collectors item.
 
Old Sheffield Plate or Fused Plate.
 
Fused plating is a process in which a thin sheet of silver is fused by heat to a much thicker copper ingot, the two metals then reacting as one when hammered or rolled. Produced from the 1740’s to the middle of the 19th century, it is now more commonly known as Old Sheffield Plate. This process predates silver plating or EPNS (electroplated nickel silver) as it is known which was first used on a commercial scale by Elkington & Co in Birmingham which involves assembling the object first before depositing a layer of silver over the entire piece by electroplating. 
 
Weight
3143 grams
 
Dimensions
W x D x H
360mm x 340mm x 410mm
 
Condition.
Excellent condition with light surface marks that are consistent with genuine age, use & polishing with no major dings or dents. There is some desirable minor loss of silver on the extremities of the foliate decoration revelling the copper ingot underneath. The metal filter inside before the spout has corroded with age.