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AI Appraisal
Description
I received this from my mother, who had been given it by my grandfather. It's sat in my storage for about a year, until I pulled it out and upon careful inspection, noticed the Meriden B Company logo on the back. After performing some research, I decided I wanted to get it appraised.
The tray is unpolished (as can be seen in the pictures), due to research stating to leave it in that condition to show that it is indeed black silver.
The logo is impossible to photograph at the moment, due to how hard it is to see it even in the best of lights, and I apologize for this. I do however have a picture of the logo for referencing which is added at the bottom.
There is some minor damage to the tray, due to it being wedged up in the rafters of an attic and forgotten about. It also bears the monogram of "JFM" in the center of the piece (very curious about this!)
Category
Silver and Silver Overlay
Medium
Black Silver
Distinguishing marks
Company logo on back, 249 and 16 as well, "JFM" on front
Condition
Good
Size and dimensions of this item
Approx 1'x2'x1"
Date Period
Pre-1900s
Weight
16 pennywieghts
History
My grandfather found this in his attic, wedged up in the rafters of his old house when he was younger, from what we can gather, it was a piece that was stolen a long time ago and forgotten about.
eBay Auction Link
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Re: Silver Serving Tray with "JFM" engraving
If you've done some research on the Meriden B Co. you know the B is for Britannia, the process of applying silver finish to a base metal, in this case probably tin and copper. The Meriden Britannia Co. was founded in 1852 in Meriden, Conn., and it began making Britannia metal soon after. You are correct in leaving the finish alone. Because the tray is engraved it might have been given as a gift or recognition to whomever bore the initials JFM. I own two lamps by the Meriden B. Co. with squirrel figures as the base. Sadly, The electroplating was removed before I got them to reveal the copper color bases. I've researched the Meredin B. company before because of the squirrels and have found that unless the object is unusual, like the squirrels (but in tact) or has been engraved with unusual figures, the object has modest value. Hopefully others will comment, but my estimate of the tray's value, because it has little detail, but does have the original finish is around $100.