Old Sheffield Plate
The term "Sheffield Plate" is widely used these days by those dealing in electroplate produced in Sheffield, and most collectors prefer to use the term "Old Sheffield Plate" to identify the early fused plate product. Another misuse of the term is in describing "Close Plated" ware, which was generally made in Birmingham in the first half of the 1800s. The close plate consists of silver foil soldered onto a steel base and was used for items such as candle snuffers or cutlery requiring greater strength than the fused plate.
