1 In Stock
S 216 Silverplated Napkin Holder
Napkin ring or napkin holder, there is a question. We describe these items as a napkin holder because we have had napkin holders that are square in shape and hence not a napkin ring.
Both the top and bottom outer edge has a diamond shaped decoration, whilst the body itself has an attractive decoration. The holder has a family monogram and crest with the letter L in script writing. The crest has a circular belt and buckle that is similar to the Scottish clan crest.
The silver-plate is on a brass body and there are five pseudo hallmarks from the maker Thomas Prime & Son, Birmingham. The item dates from 1844 to 1894 but certainly no later than 1900.when the factory closed.
Measuring 45 mm in diameter and standing 18 mm high, the napkin holder weighs in at 21.7 grams.
Some wear to the silver-plate but otherwise in very good condition. The wear to the silver-plate is consistent with an item that has been in regular use for over a 120 years.
Collector Notes
Thomas Prime & Son
Birmingham
UK
1844-1894
MP crown PRIME thistle AI
According to an ancient advertisement, the firm was founded in 1818.
Three Thomas Prime (father, son and grandson) were involved in the silver plate business: Thomas Prime I (1797-1881), Thomas Prime II (1825-1892), and Thomas Tertius Prime III (1856-?) [Tertius means "the third"].
In 1840 Thomas Prime I was active as close-plater at Northwood Street, Birmingham.
Prime developed a method of plating called Magnetic Plate and in 1844, to the plans of John Stephen Woolrich, was built a special machine to deposit silver, gold or copper (one of these machines was used also by Elkington).
In 1849 the firm advertised that "...Electro Deposition of Silver, Gold, &c. by the Agency of Magnetic Machinery was brought to practical perfection by him..." on White Metal, on Steel and in Superior German Silver. The firm was active at the Patent Magneto Plate Works, 18 and 19 Northwood Street, Birmingham with other premises at 49 Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, London.
In 1851 Thomas Prime I was joined in partnership by his son Thomas Prime II trading as Thomas Prime & Son.
When Thomas Prime I died in Jan 1881 the business was for a short time run as a sole-trader by Thomas Prime II. Then in that year, after the 31 Mar 1881 census, he admitted his son Thomas Tertius Prime III, as a partner.
Once more Thomas Prime & Son had both a Thomas Prime (Thomas Prime II) and a son (Thomas Tertius Prime III). This was the partnership that was dissolved in 1891. The business was then again run for a short time as a sole-trader by Thomas Prime II until his death in May 1892. The child-less grandson, Thomas Tertius Prime III, who had until 1891 been in partnership with his father Thomas Prime II, then ran the business from May 1892 until the factory was closed in about 1900.
kr190.00
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